OAKLAND, Calif. -- Oh, what the Golden State Warriors wouldn't give to have Jason Williams.

Instead of addressing their biggest need during the off-season -- a point guard, the Warriors went for forward Antawn Jamison, the consensus player of the year in college basketball. Bad mistake. Nothing against Jamison, a bright, polite player who might eventually pan out, but Williams has taken the NBA by storm.

The rookie from Florida did it again Monday night, helping Sacramento overtake Golden State 111-105. In 31 minutes, he scored 14 points, added four assists and two steals, but that only tells part of the story. Every time he touched the ball, he had the crowd of 15,084 on the edge of its seat. It's been like that all season. With help from Chris Webber and Vlade Divac, the 6-foot-1, 190-pound Williams has transformed the lowly Kings into the most exciting team in the league. At times, they play like the Harlem Globetrotters, Williams running the show. His passes are creative and unpredictable, his style fresh and entertaining.

"I really didn't know his game," Webber said. "I'm definitely astonished. The world is his right now."

SOME HAVE CALLED HIM A RAW Pete Maravich, others White Chocolate, White Shadow, Vanilla Ice and Thrilla in Vanilla. By any nickname, the 23-year-old Williams has been a human highlight film, his wrap-around, behind-the-back passes and between-the-leg dribbles wowing opponents and opposing spectators alike.

"As far as I'm concerned, you can call me anything you want," he said in a slow southern drawl. "I'm not out there to put on a show. It's just what I do."

During a recent game at Philadelphia, he wrapped the ball behind his back with his left (off) hand and made a layup. In a game at Washington, he faked a behind-the-back pass, then palmed the ball and missed a dunk. Against the Warriors, he passed behind his back, left-handed, to himself, then lobbed an alley-oop pass to Tariq Abdul-Wahad.

In all three instances, Williams drew standing ovations.

"He's so much fun to watch," said Sacramento coach Rick Adelman. "You really never know what he's going to do."

Neither does Williams. The majority of his plays are spontaneous, his one-handed bullet passes, lobs and bounce-passes usually hitting teammates in stride. He's nearly impossible to trap, has no fear, and would rather get an assist than bury a long-range trey, which he is more than capable of hitting.

"I WISH 24,000 PEOPLE WOULD boo me every night," he said. "It just pumps up your level. It's so nice."

In short, he's a totally selfless player who already has won over the Kings with his talent and moxie. He's everything the Warriors needed, but decided to pass on with the fifth draft pick in the first round. Sacramento picked him with the seventh pick.

"I just want to come out and do whatever I can to help the team win," said the boyish-looking Williams, who could easily pass for a high school student. "I just go out and play ball. I'd rather have 15 assists than score 50 points. That's just the way I play."

Williams was a high school teammate of Minnesota Vikings receiver Randy Moss at Dupont High School in West Virginia, where he earned state player of the year honors in 1994. He had his own key to the gym, and it wasn't unusual for Williams to practice for an hour without shooting. He would spend his time throwing hard passes off the walls, learning how to judge the caroms and bounces. Honest.

"Yeah, I did that," he said. "One of my friends told me about it. It seems like forever."

With good reason. Williams began his college career at Providence, transferred to Marshall, then wound up at Florida. All told, he played in 48 games, averaging 14.9 points and 6.5 assists before leaving school a year early. Actually, it wasn't a tough decision. Williams was kicked off the team twice last year for smoking marijuana.

That might have scared some teams, including the Warriors, but the Kings were more than willing to take a risk. So was Jerry West of the Lakers, who coveted the young guard.

By all accounts, Williams has been a model citizen in the pros. He seldom goes out, prefers watching television at home, and loves hanging with his teammates. He has three tattoos, including a panther on one arm and a dragon on the other. The other is an eyeball.

"THEY DON'T HAVE NO SIGNIFICANCE," Williams said. "I got them out of a book."

Painfully shy off the court, Williams seems unaffected by his success. He's been a media darling in every city, but remains humble.

He finally lit up when asked about Florida advancing to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament.

"Them Gators!" he shouted in the locker room, drawing attention from his teammates. "I don't see Michigan in the tournament (Webber smiled). I don't see Arkansas (Corliss Williamson ignored him). Hey, when does Kansas play, tomorrow? Oh that's right, they're out."

Jayhawks second-year player Scot Pollard wasn't amused.

"Which team are you claiming this week?" Pollard asked. "How long did you go there (Florida), a month? A week? You don't even know the fight song."

Laughter all around. Unlike Sacramento teams of the past, this is a young, loose, close-knit group that figures to improve with every game. At times, the Kings play out of control. But once they get to know each other, watch out.

Williams averaged 14.4 points and 5.5 assists coming into Monday night's game and is a leading contender for rookie of the year. Some are calling him the most exciting player to join the league since Magic Johnson. It might not be a stretch.

Williams has seen only one tape of Maravich and plans to track down more. His game is a compilation, bits and pieces gathered here and there. He is truly a work in progress.

"Hopefully one day they'll be comparing him to me," Williams said.