Williams looks forward
to NBA
By Jake McKim
Daily Cougar Staff
Say it ain't so, George.
If you haven't heard by now, UH junior
forward George Williams announced this week that he would make himself
available for the 2002
NBA draft in July.
Brian Viney/The Daily Cougar
Junior forward George Williams
takes a jump shot. Williams has declared himself eligible for the NBA draft,
though he will likely return
to the team next year.
Williams has averaged more than 10 points
and seven rebounds per game during his collegiate career and his charming,
well-spoken
mannerisms have made him a Cougar fan
favorite. His critics often complain that Williams lacks aggressiveness
and are frustrated
because they see his unselfish attitude
as impeding his potentially explosive offensive production.
But Williams has been so much more than
simply a scorer for the Cougars — he's a mentor to younger players, a stand-up
team
representative and an all-around player
who possesses defensive skills, inside strength and versatility that make
him valuable.
From all indications the 6-8, 220-pound
forward is simply "testing the waters" to show off his size and skills
and to get a better idea of
how he stacks up against other NBA wannabes.
But what if the unthinkable (for UH) happens
and Williams gets drafted by an NBA team that sees his future potential
now? Sure, this
would be great for Williams, but what
about us?
I think I can speak for most Cougar fans
when I say: George, test the NBA waters, show 'em what you've got, then
come back for your
senior season. At this stage in our program's
rebuilding process, we need players like you to lead us back to college
basketball
supremacy.
Whatever happens, we'll stand by your decision.
But come draft day, don't be surprised if there are Cougar fans secretly
hoping your
name doesn't get called so we can be blessed
with one final season with the outstanding player, and person, you have
been while
representing our University.
