INDEPENDENCE, Ohio — Jawad Williams has plenty of memories of his youth in Cleveland. His fondness for the city was fostered further when he returned as a young adult to play professional basketball. Now, he's ready to make more Cleveland memories after returning to help coach his hometown team.

From East Side to West Side

Williams grew up on Cleveland's East Side. His childhood was full of passion for basketball, which led him to play across town at St. Edward High School in Lakewood.

"I remember those early mornings getting up at 5:15 a.m. to go from the East Side to the West Side just to go to school in the morning," Williams said.

As he poured his all into the game as a teenager, there were plenty of coaches pouring their knowledge and guidance back into him, from grade school to g

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