FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Four-star power forward Malik Williams (6-11) is more comfortable on the perimeter than he is playing with his back to the basket at this stage of his development, but the No. 36 ranked prospect in the 2017 Rivals150 isn’t strictly a finesse player.

“It’s all about the match-up,” said Williams.

Williams, who will be a senior at Fort Wayne Snider High School next fall, managed to score in the paint a couple of times on Friday night for Team Legit in a pool-play loss to talented Spiece Indy Heat at the Bill Hensley Memorial Run-N-Slam. On one of those occasions, Williams was matched up against fellow Michigan State recruiting target Jaren Jackson Jr. (6-10), the No. 63 ranked prospect in Rivals150.

“I think his game is similar to mine,” said Jackson of Williams. “I think he’s a stretch big that can handle the ball and shoot the ball. He may not have shot it as well as he wants today, but I know he can shoot it. He can take it to the basket. He has a good post game. He hit me with one of them, so he’s a good player. I know that he’s got a lot of the same offers as me.”

Michigan State is one of four schools from the Big Ten recruiting Williams the hardest along with Iowa, Indiana, and Purdue.

“Coach Izzo says that he likes my versatility,” said Williams, who recently hosted Tom Izzo for an in-home visit. “He wants me to work on getting stronger, finishing around the basket, and mental stuff. I feel like I am doing pretty good so far this summer, and I have one more year of high school left. By the time college comes around, I feel like I’ll be ready.”

Team Legit Coach Juan Gorman would like to see Williams use his post moves more frequently than he has to this point in the grassroots season.

“The thing is that during the high school season he was allowed to play on the perimeter, so right now he is more comfortable out there,” Gorman said. “We’ve got him playing inside more, but this is only our third tournament, so he’ll get more comfortable and in the summer he’s got to play inside. He’s also got to take a big out of the paint to the outside. That’s what he can, and that’s what schools love about him.

“Malik understands that the better he is as a post player, the better his outside game is going to be. That is something that will come as he works on it, because his outside game is more natural.”

Williams says he is focused on the schools that have recruited him the longest more so than programs who have just begun to express interest, like Southern Cal. But he isn’t closing the door on anyone just yet.

“If you come in and build a strong relationship, it’s a good thing,” he said.

Williams hopes to arrive at a group of finalists by late August. He also anticipates taking all five of his official visits before making a college choice.

Williams scored 14 points tough points against Indy Heat, which features several quality big men including Jackson, Xavier Tillman, Brandon Johns (Class of 2018), and Jaylen Butz.

“Every time he got the ball he had three guys draped on him, so there’s not much he can do,” Gorman said. “When he had the opportunity to kick it out, we got an easy jumper. But you know, they’re collapsing with three, 6-6, 6-7, 6-9 and that speaks to their depth. So I think he handled it pretty well.”

Williams averaged 22 points and 13 rebounds during his junior year on varsity. He is playing with more confidence now than he was at the same time last year.

“His confidence is so much better,” Gorman said. “Before when he’d get bumped around and pushed by bigger players he would play timid. He doesn’t get intimidated anymore. I think you’ll see that confidence grow as he continues to get stronger. Once his interior core gets strong, the kid can be unstoppable.”

Michigan State is among the schools that has shown an increased level of interest in Jackson, who will be a senior next fall at Indianapolis Park Tudor. Jackson has had a strong first month with Spiece Indy Heat, averaging 16 points and 7.3 rebounds in EYBL games thus far.

“Maryland, Michigan, and Michigan State, those are the three that have been calling a lot more,” Jackson said. “Georgetown also, they’re always talking to me, and Purdue.”

Michigan State likes the increased toughness that Jackson has shown in his game as he’s improved his physical strength.

“I’m getting stronger every day,” Jackson said. “They like how I’m playing stronger mentally. They like how I’m playing against the best big men in my class because of most of them are in the EYBL. If I get a chance to face them and show my skills, I can play anywhere.”