DEBRECEN (Hungary) - Going viral at a young age can prove to be a double-edged sword for any aspiring athlete and that's no different for the phenomenally talented USA playmaker Jada 'Lil Bullet' Williams.

Likely to be a vibrant heartbeat for a USA team chasing their fifth FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup in six editions, the guard has revealed the tantalizingly delicate balance between her spectacular social media presence, alongside her drive and passion to progress on the basketball court. 

With a mind-blowing 627,000 Instagram followers and 8 million likes on TikTok, Williams had never truly envisaged her current position. But everything changed when a number of NBA ballers and musician Drake liked one of her crossover videos. It even led to her meeting the likes of the late Kobe Bryant, with LeBron James also checking out her skills in person. 

"People think that I set my own brand up and I was doing it all on purpose, but I was just being a young kid on Instagram and having fun playing basketball," she explained.

"I was doing between the legs layups and a whole bunch of crazy stuff that a lot of girls weren't doing. I was genuinely having fun with it and then it just blew up and it took on a life of its own.

"I really had to adapt to it and go with the flow. I am just myself on social media though, so it's not too draining. I also feel I can now use my voice to help other female athletes," she added.

"BASKETBALL IS ALWAYS THERE FOR ME NO MATTER WHAT. I CAN FALL BACK ON IT WHEN I AM HAPPY, MAD OR SAD." - Jada Williams-

While that jaw-dropping explosion on her social channels has reaped multiple benefits, it's also thrown up major challenges. From online trolls, to dealing with the sudden pressure of being a role model and influencer, as well as somehow trying to keep her feet on the ground. Thankfully, this is where her passion for playing basketball is proving to be the safest and happiest of places.

"I feel like with social media I have had to deal with a lot of friends that changed on me and there have been a lot of haters from a young age and I think I have gotten used to dealing with any of the negative energy and have used it to drive positivity," revealed Williams.

"But I feel that basketball is something that is always there for me, no matter what. I can fall back on it when I am happy, mad or sad. I fell in love with it as a very young kid and it has been right here with me all along the way.

 
"I have put a lot of sweat and tears into this and it's great that I have met so many cool people through basketball too."

It's crystal clear that when it comes to the Missouri native, her passion for basketball is every bit as impressive as her digital presence. That spirit alongside the exceptional talent is driving the guard towards doing potentially great things on the court. It's also a characteristic that will be on show in Debrecen, for those yet to see her in action.

"When you watch me play, you will see that I am very passionate and I play with a lot of heart. I am going to do all those little extra things on the court and will always be a true 'PG' first," said Williams

"Being vocal and trying to be a leader is how I look to separate myself from other good point guards out there. The way I carry myself and how I can lead my team is something different."

She continued: "In terms of my passion and where that comes from, I am a very competitive person. My whole family is competitive, whether it is playing board games, basketball, tag or knockout outside. Whatever it is, my family is really athletic and we all do a lot of competitions.

"I am actually very passionate in everything I do and it just happens that basketball is the main thing."

“ PLAYING WITH USA EMBLAZONED ACROSS YOUR CHEST IS SOMETHING THAT IS UNMATCHABLE." - Jada Williams

 Part of the team that conquered the FIBA U16 Women's Americas Championship last year, the guard knows what it takes to win. She is hyped at the prospect of her global debut and not least because of the precious tradition that has witnessed the likes of Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu tread this same path.

"Anyone who puts on that USA uniform knows and realizes that not many people get the opportunity and so right now, I am speaking for everyone on the team that it is an honour that we would never take for granted," acknowledged Williams.

"We all have one goal in mind and that is to win gold, because we have seen a lot of people win gold in the past and a lot of players have had success. We want to continue the USA legacy and so we're all looking up to All-Star players and some amazing people."

 
"However, we need all need to lock in if we want to win gold, but also have some fun and enjoy meeting new people and learning from the best coaches we have played for so far.

"Playing with USA emblazoned across your chest is something that is unmatchable," she insisted.

While standing on the top step of the podium on Sunday July 17 is the main aim, Williams is acutely aware that the journey to that point is equally important. It's a primary reason why she simply can't wait for the curtain to be raised in Debrecen.

 
She enthused: "I think the teams will be way better than we played in the Americas and we are not used to playing against opponents bigger than us. We have also gotten used to mainly playing against girls that we all know from home, because within basketball in America, it's a small world.

"I think playing against different styles is important and even when we played the U16 Americas last year in Mexico, we got to see that. It's important that you take the opportunity to create all those different bonds with people.

"We're going in with a lot of the same team from last year, but also with some new additions who are coming in to see what basketball is like overseas. It's why we want to make sure we soak it all up," concluded Williams.

FIBA