An average of 17 points per game, the most 25 point or more games, and a 3.0 GPA. Coincidence? Ask most people around the Antelope Valley College campus and they, along with the community, might tend to think so. But ask a certain Donald Ray Williams Jr., and he may have another opinion about the situation.
Being a leading scorer for the Marauder’s Basketball team, having a 3.0 GPA that any student would die for and a chance to play at a top college school in the nation, are definitely not things that have been handed to Williams and are not something that he has taken for granted.
Around 2009 when the always top-ranked college, now No. 2 ranked in the nation, Kentucky Wildcats were having a mediocre season, all seemed okay. Especially for Williams, who was recruited to play with the well-known Kentucky basketball program.
After the firing of the basketball coach Billy Gillispie, after only two years under the program, there was some understandable confusion in the Kentucky sports world. For players, even more so. It is a common practice that many athletic recruits who are prospective students will go to a school based on the coach.
Williams transferred to Antelope Valley College, amongst the confusion, as the second choice in which to start his college career. For someone who’s everything is basketball such as Donald, a transition like this would be a major disappointment to many. One could say that this young man had lost everything. But he is far from self pity.
When asked about the transition and how it affects his focus, Williams said, “The experience made me a lot tougher. Gillispie, being one of the tougher coaches I’ve ever had, helped me with the diversities and pressures of working hard. Basketball and school are the only things I like to do.”
One should not just take his word on his ability to play the game of basketball though; just look at Williams’ extensive resume which shows his previous experience that resembles some of the most competitive NBA or pro basketball player’s backgrounds. Williams said, “I want to play Division No. 1 basketball after this year.” When asked about his future, he added, “There are schools that I’m considering.”
Right now, Williams is someone who wants to “make it” and be successful more than ever. Not because of a supernatural gift he was born with as a child, but because he has actually been there before. Having actually once seen and tasted his goal before, he is perhaps the one who realizes the most how hard he will have to keep working in order to achieve what he values most.
Williams is definitely someone this community of students can look up to. Not just as an athlete, but also as a young man who has set numerous goals, is very focused and is already on his way to completing them.
From a national top-ranked school, to a junior college on the outskirts of nowhere, the man who seemingly has it all, in respects of a future, is standing right before us, so get a good look.
-By Brandon Mann
