Versatile Williams delivers under pressure

By Phil Witte
Daily Forty-Niner

Coming in as one of the top 10 junior college shooting guards in the country to a team that will need immediate production after losing four seniors might mean pressure to some players, but not to Lemi Williams.

"I've been playing college ball for three years and seen all kinds of pressure, so this is something I've done before and I will do again," said the transfer from Mineral Area Junior College in Flat River, Mo.

The versatile 6-foot-6 swingman averaged 18.9 points, 4 rebounds and 3.3 assists last year, leading his school to a 19-13 record.

"He is very skilled and a hard worker and he an even better shooter than I thought he would be," Head Coach Wayne Morgan said.

Williams said Coach Morgan is one of the main reasons he chose to move out west.

"I talked to him during recruiting and I know he's the type of coach who cares about his players and he always puts them first," said the Missouri native.  "The program is making good progress and had a great year last year and should for years to come."

He is off to a strong start in his career at LBSU, winning Big West player of the week honors just two weeks into the season. Through five games, he ranks second on the team in scoring with 15.6 points per game, second with 5 rebounds, first with 13 three-pointers made, and tied for second with seven steals.

This year, Williams will take Antrone Lee's place as the extension of the coach on the floor.

"He's a great all-around player in ways that don't always show up in the stats," said assistant coach Ronnie Dean. "He'll be a extension of the coach on the court and sacrifices his play to make the team better."

"He will be a great scorer on the wing and he can do a little of everything," said senior Rock Lloyd. "He will provide a lot of excitement for the fans with all of his ability."

Williams is well-traveled as a player, making it to New Zealand last summer with the NJCAA All-Star team that featured the top 12 junior college players in the country. Living up to his billing, Williams led the team with 17 points per game on the tour down under.

Though he has professional aspirations, the psychology major said he has definite plans for his future if that does not work out.

"I want to use my degree to work with underprivileged and inner-city kids when I'm done playing," he said.

Three years ago, a meeting with his junior college coach had a profound effect on Williams.

"I was just a redshirt at the time, but he took me aside after practice to work with me," Williams said. "He told me I had a lot of talent, but no one was going to give me anything in this game."

Away from the court, Williams will most likely be found in front of a television, watching wrestling, said his roommate and teammate Brad Smith.

"We talk about basketball so I know what he thinks about the game and we work well together," said the senior. "He's a pretty good cook and he makes a good steak and macaroni and cheese, but mostly he just likes wrestling."

With Williams contributing to his full potential, the sky is the limit for this year's 49ers.

"We can be Big West champs," Williams said, "but we can only go as far as we push ourselves."

Caroline Limuti/Daily Forty-Niner

49er swingman Lemi Williams works the court.