‘I Don’t Think I Was Ready for the NBA’: Trevion Williams Opens up on his Return to Purdue
]
Purdue forward Trevion Williams joined Sasha Stefanovic for this week’s episode of Sasha Live! at Mad Mushroom Pizza. The senior spoke about his experiences testing the NBA waters and his decision to return to a Boilermakers program that he believes is building something special this season.
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — During a crucial stretch for the No. 7-ranked Purdue basketball program, Trevion Williams joined Sasha Stefanovic this week for the Sasha Live! podcast, aired live from Mad Mushroom Pizza.
After a dominant win over Nebraska at Mackey Arena, the Boilermakers boast a 14-2 record and are looking to get back on track in the conference, trailing the likes of Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan State, among others, in the Big Ten standings.
It’s been a historic start for the 2021-22 Purdue team, one of the main reasons Williams stayed with fellow seniors Stefanovic and Eric Hunter Jr. for a final season in West Lafayette.
The trio was part of an Elite Eight run in 2019 but was left stunned by a first-round exit a year ago after losing to North Texas. Williams, who tested the NBA waters by working out with the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the offseason, didn’t feel as though it was his time.
He came back to Purdue with the belief that this year’s team was something special.
“I kind of did a reality check on myself, I don’t think I was ready for the NBA," Williams said. “Obviously, there’s always areas you can improve on, but I was just real with myself. I told myself, ‘you’re not ready for the NBA.’ It’s hard to kind of say it yourself, because you always feel like you can do better. I feel like I can survive in an NBA game, but the reality is, I wasn’t ready.”
During his college career, Williams has been a dominant rebounder and a player with elite passing ability from the post. He’s averaging more than three offensive rebounds per game this season and has done so in each of the past two years.
Having the chance to display his talents in front of NBA scouts not only gets his foot in the door of the professional scene, but he was able to return to the Boilermakers with valuable feedback.
“I think that’s such a tremendous opportunity that college basketball players have. And him, especially, just go test the waters and see what people are saying,” Stefanovic said of Williams. “See what are the things that I do well. What things that I could be successful at in the NBA and what a team sees me as a type of player.
“And then also on the flip side, what can I improve on and what could get me to that level that I need to be at. I thought he did a great job of receiving the feedback that they gave him, really working on the stuff throughout the summer and this fall, growing as a leader, and also working on individual skills in his game. And then bringing that back to our team.”
Purdue coach Matt Painter has emphasized that Williams is sometimes too unselfish with the basketball. He’s constantly looking for passes but showcases the skills to score in a variety of ways inside the paint.
However, the 6-foot-10 forward has struggled from the free-throw line, shooting a career average of just over 51 percent. Williams also hasn’t shown the shooting prowess to extend his offense to the perimeter, and his pro tryouts reaffirmed that.
“Some of the top things that they kind of touched on was obviously just stepping out and being able to make a consistent 3-pointer,” Williams said. “So I’ve been trying to shoot more, getting to the free-throw line, just working on those things. I was pretty strong with just rebounding and passing the ball. Just more so being comfortable with that face-up jumper or taking a guy off the dribble, and not feeling like you’re out of place on the court.
“I think I was a little passive in some of those workouts. More so because I was just anxious to be there. Also a little nervous, because you just don’t know what to expect.”
What Williams did expect was how good Purdue would be this season. A team that’s returned so much production from a year ago reached the No. 1 ranking in the nation for the first time in program history.
Two early losses in Big Ten play have seemingly simmered some of the hype that came with such high expectations entering the season, but the Boilermakers are looking for their third straight conference victory heading into a road matchup with No. 25 Illinois.
Purdue will continue to stack as many wins as possible in a challenging Big Ten season to set itself up for success come March. Eyes are set on the program’s first Final Four appearance since 1980, but the team knows it must continue to work through the ups and downs of a college basketball season to get there.
“I knew we would be special. Just looking at our lineup and our schedule, all the expectations. I know we had unfinished business,” he said. “I owe it to (Sasha) and Eric. Making it to an Elite Eight, obviously, that stuck with us to this day. We owe ourselves a Final Four run or a National Championship. We owe it to ourselves to put in the work. And we didn’t sugarcoat it, we’ve worked for everything that has been given to us. I believe in our team more than anybody on our staff, I think everybody knows by now.”
Stories Related to Purdue Basketball
JADEN IVEY CAME FIRED UP FOR GAME AGAINST NEBRASKA: Purdue sophomore guard Jaden Ivey played with a chip on his shoulder in a 92-65 victory over Nebraska on Friday at Mackey Arena. He scored 14 of his 17 points in the first half while also registering a team-high five assists. The team takes on No. 25 Illinois on the road Monday. CLICK HERE
Purdue sophomore guard Jaden Ivey played with a chip on his shoulder in a 92-65 victory over Nebraska on Friday at Mackey Arena. He scored 14 of his 17 points in the first half while also registering a team-high five assists. The team takes on No. 25 Illinois on the road Monday. FAST START PROPELS PURDUE IN WIN OVER NEBRASKA: The No. 7-ranked Purdue basketball team scored 28 points on 17 Nebraska turnovers leading to a 27-point rout Friday Mackey Arena. Sophomore center Zach Edey led the way with 22 points to go along with nine rebounds. CLICK HERE
The No. 7-ranked Purdue basketball team scored 28 points on 17 Nebraska turnovers leading to a 27-point rout Friday Mackey Arena. Sophomore center Zach Edey led the way with 22 points to go along with nine rebounds. PURDUE’S ALL-TIME 1,000 POINT SCORERS: Since 1896, Purdue basketball has had 54 different players score 1,000 points in their college careers. The program has produced more than 30 NBA players, including two No. 1 picks in the NBA Draft. Current Purdue center Trevion Williams joined the club on Nov. 16. Here is the complete list of Boilermakers who have scored 1,000 points or more. CLICK HERE
Become Part of the Boilermakers Country Community!
Texas Tech kicker Jonathan Garibay declares for NFL Draft
]
Jonathan Garibay made plenty of memories in his senior year.
Now, the 6-foot-1, 215-pound kicker is hoping to do the same at the professional level, declaring for the 2022 NFL Draft on Sunday in an announcement posted to social media.
“I want to thank my friends and family for the love and support throughout my career,” Garibay said in a post to his Twitter account. “A huge thank you to Coach (Matt) Wells and his staff for giving me the opportunity to further my academic and athletic career here at Texas Tech. Not only did it change my life, but it also changed my family’s life. Thank you to my teammates for helping me create unbelievable memories and relationships that will last for a lifetime.
“I truly found a second family here at Texas Tech. Another thank you to Coach (Joey) McGuire and his staff for being patient and supportive throughout this whole process. Last but not least, thank you to all Red Raider Nation for the awesome support this whole season. You are truly the best fans in the country. With that being said, I would like to announce that I will be declaring for the 2022 NFL Draft.”
More:Plenty to ponder: Bowl game, big decision, another surgery await Tech kicker
Before his announcement Sunday, Garibay was one of a dozen Tech seniors who had a choice whether to stay with the Red Raiders for an extra senior year, the one the NCAA granted all players for the COVID-disrupted 2020 season.
“I’ve talked to the new (Joey McGuire) staff and they want me to return,” Garibay told Don Williams of the Avalanche-Journal back in December. “At the same time, whatever decision I make, they’re very supportive about it. Which is a good thing. But I still have not made a decision.
“I won’t make an announcement until either after the bowl game or when we come back from break. I’ve got to weigh some pros and cons and talk to some people, but right now I’ll just finish the bowl game and then think about that.”
The former Riverside City College standout is one of three Red Raiders with eligibility remaining to declare for the upcoming NFL Draft, joining center Dawson Deaton and wide receiver Erik Ezukanma.
The 2022 NFL Draft will take place April 28-30 from Las Vegas, Nevada.
Garibay had plenty of reasons to stay or go following two seasons with Texas Tech. He turned into one of the top kickers in college football, connecting on 23 of his 27 field goal attempts during that span and 55-of-57 PATs — securing the starting spot late in the 2020 campaign after making four field goals, including a 25-yard game-winner at the end of regulation.
More:Texas Tech’s Garibay drills 25-yard, game-winning FG to down Baylor
Last season, he garnered first-team All-Big 12 recognition from The Associated Press after making 15 of 16 field goals — which led the Big 12 and ranked sixth nationally for field goal percentage (93.8%). It included game-winning kicks of 32 yards to beat West Virginia and 62 yards to beat Iowa State, the latter being the longest successful kick in FBS history to decide a game in the final minute.
More:Watch Texas Tech’s Jonathan Garibay hit a 62-yard game-winning field goal vs. Iowa State
The historic game-winner secured him an endorsement deal from Church’s Chicken, one he was able to accept now that state laws and the NCAA allow college athletes to monetize their name, image and likeness.
Over a video that showed him eating dinner, he tweeted, “This new Spicy Bacon Chicken Sandwich has a kick that seals the deal.”
Garibay was perfect on field goals all season until the regular-season finale, a 27-24 loss at Baylor. He had a shot to force overtime as the clock ran out, but his 53-yarder curled just left of the upright.
In the Liberty Bowl, Garibay connected on field goals of 31 and 26 yards, while making all four of his extra points, to help the Red Raiders defeat Mississippi State to claim the program’s first bowl win since 2013.
Garibay made his first 13 field goals of the season, matching the Tech record for most-consecutive successful attempts set by Clayton Hatfield during the 2018 season. And with two field goals in the Liberty Bowl, he moved past Hatfield for the highest career field goal percentage in school history, finishing at 85.2%. Hatfield made 84.7%.
More:Quieting the cowbells: Red Raiders wallop Leach, Mississippi State in Liberty Bowl
The Texas Tech kicker was born in Santa Ana, California, but before Garibay’s first birthday, his family moved to the state of Michoacan in south-central Mexico. They moved back to southern California at the beginning of Jonathan’s third-grade school year. His official Texas Tech roster biography bills him from Rubodoux, California — about 50 minutes east of Los Angeles.
A majority of his family members still live in Mexico.
Robert Lee Williams
]
July 2, 1932-
Jan., 7, 2022
MARSHALL — Robert Williams, 89, of Marshall, passed away on Friday, Jan. 7, 2022. Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 14, 2022, at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Marshall, Minnesota. There will be a Celebration of Life Service at 7 p.m. This service will include a time to share memories. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the American Cancer Society or donor’s choice.
Robert Lee Williams was born on July 2, 1932, in Marshall. His parents were Kenneth and Helen (Mann) Williams. Growing up on the family farm near Amiret, Bob attended country school until the 8th grade. Due to his father’s declining health, Bob needed to stay home and help on the family farm. During those years, he also worked many part-time jobs.
Bob was united in marriage to Evonne Sorensen on Nov. 28, 1964, at Danebod Lutheran Church in Tyler, Minnesota. The couple made their home in Amiret. During this time, they were blessed with their two children, Mike and Nikki. In 1973, the family moved to Marshall and in 2000 they built their dream home on Lake Hendricks. They enjoyed lake life for 15 years before retiring back to Marshall.
Over the years Bob was employed by Dwire, Inc., Ralco, Midwest Contracting and D & G Excavating. Being a blade operator was his pride and joy. Even after “retiring” Bob continued to operate a blade until the age of 85 years young. As Bob would always say “gotta go to work” and get it done. Bob was so very proud to teach the art of blading a road to his son and grandsons who followed in his footsteps.
The challenge of a good pool game would put a twinkle in Bob’s eye. Before he was tall enough to see over the table, he was learning the game of pool. His competitive spirit led Bob to join a pool league and play on several teams. He was one of the best at the game.
Bob’s other enjoyments included fishing, hunting, fast pitch softball, stock car racing and he loved playing cards and other games. His greatest enjoyment was spending time with his 2 grandsons. Bob had such a knack of telling stories that made people laugh. He always had a wisecrack or great comeback. His quick wit will always be remembered.
Bob Williams passed away on Friday, Jan. 7, 2022 in Marshall. He reached the age of 89 years, 6 months and 5 days. Blessed be his memory.
Bob is survived by his wife Evonne of Marshall, son, Michael (Michelle) Williams of Lynd and daughter Cindy Friesen (Jim Buysse) of Tracy, Minnesota; son in law RJ Myers of Seffner, Florida; 2 grandchildren, Mason Williams (Hallie Lingen) of Tracy and Myles Williams of Lynd; brother Don Williams (Cheryl Bellmann) of Gainsville, Georgia and many other relatives and friends.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Helen Williams and his daughter, Nicole Myers.
Arrangements by
Hamilton Funeral Home
Marshall, Minnesota
507-532-2933
Service recording,
guest book, and tribute wall
available online at
49ers-Cowboys Injury Report: Jimmy Garoppolo limited; Trent Williams, Elijah Mitchell don’t practice
]
49ers-Cowboys Injury Report: Jimmy Garoppolo limited; Trent Williams, Elijah Mitchell don’t practice
By David Bonilla Jan 12, 2022 at 3:12 PM •
Report it. Nobody’s perfect. Did you find a mistake in this article?
Facebook Comments
More San Francisco 49ers News
49ers-Rams Injury Report: Jimmy Garoppolo limited; Trent Williams, Elijah Mitchell don’t practice
By David Bonilla Jan 5
The San Francisco 49ers are preparing for their Week 18 contest against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. Jimmy Garoppolo returned to practice for the first time since suffering his thumb injury against the Tennessee Titans on December 23. Although, the quarterback was limited. “We’ll put Jimmy in on what he feels comfortable doing with where he’s at today,” Shanahan said. “Trey will get the rest. I’m sure Trey will get the majority, but we’ll see how it is when [they are] out there. Mainly just communicating with them throughout the practice, through the individuals, through everything. Today won’t be a full-speed practice, so
49ers-Cowboys Injury Report: Jimmy Garoppolo full-go; Trent Williams, Elijah Mitchell limited
By David Bonilla Jan 13
The San Francisco 49ers are preparing for their Wild Card playoff contest against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The good news for the 49ers is that tackle Trent Williams and running back Elijah Mitchell returned to practice after missing Wednesday’s session. Mitchell played on Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams, leading the team with 85 rushing yards, which Williams was inactive. #49ers LT Trent Williams (elbow) IS on the field during early portion of practice.
49ers-Rams Injury Report: Jimmy Garoppolo, Elijah Mitchell limited; Trent Williams doesn’t practice
By David Bonilla Jan 6
The San Francisco 49ers are preparing for their Week 18 contest against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo practiced for the second consecutive day. He is recovering from a torn ligament and chipped bone in his right thumb. Running back Elijah Mitchell also returned to practice after missing Wednesday’s session. Below are Thursday’s practice participation reports for both the 49ers and Rams, which were provided by the 49ers Communications staff. San Francisco 49ers Thursday Practice Did Not Participate In Practice LB Azeez Al-Shaair (knee), T Trent Williams (elbow) Limited Participation in
49ers-Cowboys: Trent Williams, Elijah Mitchell return to practice
By David Bonilla Jan 13
The San Francisco 49ers kicked off their second practice of the week, and Pro Bowl tackle Trent Williams was on the field with his teammates. The 49ers are preparing to open the playoff on the road this weekend against the Dallas Cowboys, and Williams is dealing with the elbow injury that forced him to be inactive on Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams. #49ers LT Trent Williams (elbow) IS on the field during early portion of practice. pic.twitter.com/x6gF0AqMaI— Nick Wagoner
How Losing Metchie, Williams Impacted Alabama in Rematch Against Georgia
]
The Crimson Tide had to play the majority of Monday night’s championship game missing half of its receiving production on the season with the two top guys out with injury.
Overcoming injuries was a theme that Alabama football was forced to face all season long. The Crimson Tide suffered a slew of injuries among the running backs, defensive backs and outside linebackers, but perhaps the most detrimental to the overall team success came with the loss of their two best receivers in John Metchie III and Jameson Williams. Both guys were injured against Georgia and never returned to the games, but in the two separate matchups.
In the SEC Championship game in early December, Metchie had six catches for 97 yards and a touchdown all before halftime against Georgia. However, with less than a minute remaining in the first half, he tore his ACL on a non-contact play and was not able to play in the second half of Alabama’s 41-24 win.
Early in the second quarter of Monday night’s national championship game between the Crimson Tide and Bulldogs, Williams found himself wide open over the middle of the Georgia defense. The pass was behind Williams, and he had to slow up to catch the ball which prevented him from scoring. It was a big 40-yard gain that led to an Alabama field goal, but Williams tore his ACL on the play and could not return to help the Crimson Tide offense in the 33-18 loss to Georgia.
Alabama coach Nick Saban said that Williams wanted to come back and play in the second half, but the medical staff would not allow him to so that he could protect his future career opportunities in the NFL.
“Look, this guy contributed tremendously to our team all year,” Saban said in the postgame. “He has great speed. He’s a vertical threat. I think our offensive coaches did a great job of utilizing his talent this year. He’s been very productive. Anytime you lose players like this it has an impact on your team.
“Yeah, it gives other players opportunities. And I’m not disappointed in how they responded to that, but there’s no question that you win with great players. You win with great people. And he’s been a great person and a great player on our team all year long. So when you take him out of the lineup, it has to have some impact.”
So just how much was Alabama affected in the title game rematch against Georgia by not having Metchie and Williams? To fully grasp what they meant to this offense, look at the breakdown of stats among wide receivers.
In the Dec. 4 win over the Bulldogs, the two combined for 50 percent of the completions, 100 percent of the touchdowns and two thirds of the receiving yards. It was a massive day for Williams with 184 yards and two touchdowns against the best defense in the country.
The two gave the Georgia secondary fits all game, but the Alabama offense was not as explosive in the second half without the threat of Metchie in the passing game.
Obviously Alabama quarterback Bryce Young had a historic season, becoming the first Crimson Tide quarterback to win the Heisman trophy as he threw for 4,872 yards and 47 touchdowns on the season. Alabama’s backup quarterbacks combined to throw for 201 yards and one touchdown to bring Alabama’s passing totals to 5,073 yards and 48 touchdowns.
Metchie and Williams combined for 46 percent of Alabama’s receptions, 53 percent of its receiving yards and 48 percent of the team’s receiving touchdowns. Basically, the two players alone were responsible for half of the receiving production.
Williams, a Biletnikoff finalist, led Alabama on the season with 79 catches fo 1,572 yards and 15 touchdowns. Metchie finished the season with 96 catches for 1,142 yards and eight touchdown. No other Alabama wide receiver had more than three touchdowns. (Tight end Cameron Latu also had eight touchdown catches.)
Slade Bolden was Alabama’s third-leading receiver with 42 catches for 408 yards and three touchdowns. No other Alabama receiver had more than 21 receptions on the season.
This isn’t to say that the young receiver behind Metchie and Williams don’t have the talent or ability. That simply isn’t true as guys like JoJo Earle, Ja’Corey Brooks, Traeshon Holden and Agiye Hall were all highly-touted recruits with four or five stars attached to their names coming out of high school. Yet they all lacked one of the things that can be the most important on a stage as big as the national championship: experience.
Several times Young put the ball right on the hands of the young receivers or within a catchable distance, and the ball would be dropped. Young often didn’t have a lot of time to throw it against the Georgia defense in round two, and when he was missing his two best and most reliable targets, it made the already challenging task even more difficult.
“t’s tough for any of our teammates to go out and go down,” Bolden said. “Losing J-Mo, he’s such a big part of our offense, and he’s such a great player and teammate it was hard. But that’s what we train for. That’s what we do. Practice hard. Everybody’s prepared to step up because you never know when you’re going to get your next shot. So I feel like everybody did a good enough job. And we just couldn’t make the plays and we couldn’t finish tonight. And that’s the story of it.”
Facing a difficult Georgia front seven, Alabama had trouble running the ball in the first half and was forced to throw 57 times. Once Williams was no longer available, Alabama was missing the vertical passing threat and shifted the game plan to shorter passes and screen plays.
The Bulldogs were able to take advantage and only allowed Alabama to reach the end zone a season low of one time. Losing Williams is not the sole thing that lost Alabama the game Monday night, but it certainly did not make things easier.
Even with the injury, Williams is still projected to be first round NFL draft pick but has not announced a decision yet. Metchie is only a junior as well, but could also declare for the NFL Draft. Whether or not we have seen Metchie and Williams take their last snap in a Crimson Tide uniform is still unknown, but the impact they made on the 2021 Alabama season is unquestionable.