When Ohio men's basketball coaches recruited forward Leon Williams, he was 6-foot-4, and when Ohio signed him, he stood 6-foot-6. Now starting for the Bobcats and winning Mid-American Conference Player of the Week awards, Williams is 6-foot-8 and still just 18 years old. He might grow to 7-foot-2
coach Tim O'Shea recently joked. Well, maybe not, but Williams still has had as great an effect on the MAC as any other freshman. $1's Nick Miller recently sat down with Williams to get the answers to some burning questions.
Post: You seem to be more of a quiet person. Is this your personality all the time, and do you enjoy being more observant than others?
Williams: It's just me; I like to see what other people say. If I have to talk I will, but I like to listen and observe. I am quiet, I'm not going to lie. It's cool though.
Post: You're from Baltimore. Are you an Orioles fan or do you like any other hometown team?
Williams: I don't really watch the Orioles and I'm not a big baseball fan but I am still a fan of the home teams. I'm a big Terrapins fan, though. I've been watching them over the year and they are a bit inconsistent right now -beating Duke then losing to Clemson. I don't know what's going on with that.
Post: What brought you to Ohio?
Williams: When I came on my visit, I liked how everything was being handled, I liked the coaching staff, coach (Kevin) Kuwik really helped me and if it wasn't for him I wouldn't be here right now. Not only him, but all the coaching staff. I also like the people here. They are very friendly and accept you. I like the college town atmosphere, but it takes a while to get used to it being away from home.
Post: Did you get offers to go to any other schools?
Williams: I got some, but they were from small D-I schools that I wasn't interested in. My grades weren't too good so I guess that's why some schools shied away from me, I don't really know. But Kuwik, he helped me a lot and got me on track with my grades and got me to come here.
Post: How's Jeremy (Fears) as a roommate?
Williams: He's a good roommate. We get along well, being out on the court together and roommates, and we have a good connection.
Post: Does it help with him coming from out of state so you are both kind of in the same position?
Williams: Yeah, we both are new and try to learn together and help each other out.
Post: What are your hobbies outside of basketball?
Williams: I like to play video games and listen to music. I like to watch movies if I get a chance, but I don't really have a lot of time to do that. I get on the computer sometimes, even though I might sound like a nerd a little bit.
Post: What do you think about Temple's coach ¥John Chaney being all crazy and getting into trouble?
Williams: I don't think it was a good decision on his part. I mean, I think for a player it was a tough decision, because you know what the right thing is, but you don't want to disrespect your coach or anything either. I still think Chaney is a good coach; I'd like to play for him if I wasn't here.
Post: I read you had a twin sister, does she play basketball too?
Williams: Nah, she is in nursing school back home. I also have an older brother, who lives in West Virginia.
Post: Anyone else in your family play?
Williams: No, I'm the only one who really plays. I'm the only tall one.
Post: Do you have a close family and talk a lot?
Williams: Oh, yeah, of course. I try to talk them everyday, keep in touch, because I miss them and miss being home. I can't wait for spring break so I can go home and see them.
Post: Do they ever come down for games?
Williams: My dad made it down for a couple and my sister wanted to, but we didn't really have enough money for everyone to come down.
Post: What is it like to be playing on the team as a freshman and juggling it with schoolwork?
Williams: It was hard at first getting used to -college basketball does take a lot out of you, but I can't complain. I like it, playing at this level and all. School takes a lot out of you, too. You always have something to do and can't really take a day off. But I just had to get used to it. They say the first year is the hardest.
Post: I was told Carmelo Anthony was from around your area. Did you ever play with or against him?
Williams: Nah. See what happened, he played in the same league I played in, but when I came into it he had already left and moved on, so I never had the chance to play with him. I never ran into him. Of course he is too famous now.
Post: Do you have dreams like that of playing the NBA?
Williams: Oh, yeah, definitely, I hope my dreams come true.
Post: What do you think when people compare you to Brandon Hunter?
Williams: Every time I hear it, it just makes me think to keep working hard and maybe I will get there, maybe I'll play along side of him one day. 17
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