To get to know Ohio redshirt junior guard Javarez “Bean” Willis, you first have to study the artwork covering his arms.
Each intricate detail of Willis’ life — whether lighthearted or serious — is incorporated among his litany of tattoos. A pool ball, a four-leaf clover, a skull with an apple stem and a cross each speak to his upbringing and his journey from Texas Tech to Ohio. No detail is spared.
Willis’ arms offer snippets of his life growing up in Homer, La., and different events he has encountered throughout his life. His single mother raised him and her six other children before the family moved to Texas where the children attended high school and prep school.
“I’m thankful for everything,” Willis said. “All these tattoos, because it shows my progress.”
Fellow transfer Treg Setty, a redshirt sophomore forward, said Willis expresses himself and his life through his body art.
“He kind of treats his body like a canvas,” Setty said. “When you do that, you’re able to express yourself in a way that you don’t need to be loud. I’ve learned from Bean that you can be a loud individual and be creative and be an inspiration to people without even opening your mouth up.
“When he walks into a room you automatically know he’s got a lot of character because his body says it, his skin says it.”
Willis was rated Texas’ 12th best prospect in 2009 and attended Texas Tech for two years, where he started 27 games his freshman season and averaged eight points per game as the Red Raiders’ regular point guard the following year.
His 3-year-old daughter, Jordynn, was also born during his freshman year at Texas Tech. She lives with her mother in Louisiana.
Willis decided to transfer to Ohio after his sophomore season because of personal reasons and sat out a year of competition because of NCAA transfer regulations.
Even though his on-court production was slow to develop when he was finally able to play beginning this season, he has proven to be an integral part of Ohio’s roster and feels at home in Athens.
“When I came on a visit, I just felt like (Ohio) was right for me,” Willis said. “I don’t know what hit me, but something just told me like, ‘This is where I need to be,’ and so far, so good. It’s worked out for the best, I love where I am.”
Willis has played 27 games this season and has averaged almost five points per contest. He’s also started the Bobcats’ past three games in place of injured junior point guard Stevie Taylor.
“He’s getting better, he’s getting more comfortable,” said Ohio coach Jim Christian. “He’s a valuable part of what we’re doing, especially as we head down the stretch.”
Willis has been instrumental to the Bobcats’ success on the road, as he has knocked down numerous key shots in wins against Morgan State, Northern Illinois, Eastern Michigan and Buffalo.
“Bean, for whatever reason, his best games have been on the road,” said Ohio assistant coach Anthony Stewart. “Without some of the plays we made, we don’t win at Morgan State, we don’t win the Northern Illinois game … there’s no rhyme or reason for that, but I’m glad he has (good games on the road).”
While Willis has steadily improved on the court by becoming more acclimated to Ohio’s offense, he’s also put in the time off the court to strengthen his faith.
He has done so with the help of Athletes In Action volunteer Mark Stickel, who has been with the team the past four years. The organization is part of Cru, a national, faith-based ministry with a chapter on campus that seeks to improve athletes’ lives by deepening their relationships with God.
The pair meet at least once a week to talk about basketball, Willis’ spiritual life and anything else going on off the court. Stickel said Willis’ demeanor has changed since the two met and that he’s more willing to open up and crack a smile than before.
“Just be Bean,” Stickel said, about the advice he gives Willis. “Don’t try to be someone you’re not, figure out who you are and what you are and be that person every day. He does … he’s matured so much in a spiritual sense, a basketball sense, physically and his relationship with people.”
Setty, who also sat out alongside Willis last season after transferring from Southern Illinois, said he has been impressed with his teammate’s maturation.
“Last year he was kind of a loose cannon,” Setty said. “(He) let his emotions get the best of him, but that year off, spending a lot of time with me, (he) really kind of put his nose in the bible a lot more, learn who he is as a person … he’s really nothing like he used to be.
“He took all his weaknesses and just made them strengths.”
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@Brandon_Kors
