EVANSVILLE, Ind. – DeAndre Williams is living out a dream in many different ways as he becomes accustomed to life at the University of Evansville. 
 
Playing at the Division I level.  Check.  Having the chance to utilize his skills in an NBA-style offense.  Check.  Working with a coach who has extensive NBA experience.  Check.  Establishing a great rapport with coaching staff and teammates.  Check.  The opportunity to model his play after his idols.  Check.
 
Everything has come together for the 6-foot-9 forward from Houston, Texas who has never hesitated to think big.  Williams had plenty of reason to know that he would enjoy success on the basketball court.
 
"I developed my game in high school and actually dunked as a freshman," he explained.  "Through the years, I had the opportunity to work out with so many different players and have the chance to improve my game."
 
One of his biggest breaks came in the summer of 2015 when he was invited to the prestigious NBA Top 100 Camp.  Like the name says, only 100 players, the best in the nation, receive the opportunity to participate.  So how did this opportunity come about for Williams?
 
"(Former NBA coach) John Lucas played a huge role in me having that chance.  I worked out with him almost every morning for two months straight," Williams said.  "He saw me developing and knew that I deserved to be there.  It definitely raised my confidence when I saw the talent there.  It was a beautiful experience."
 
After completing his career at Klein Forest High School, Williams played at the Nation Wide Academy in Oklahoma City where he averaged 24 points and 11 rebounds last season.  He is now ready for the chance to play at the Division I level where he will do whatever his team needs.
 
"I'll play 1-4 or 1-5, it does not matter, I will do whatever my team needs me to do," he exclaimed.  "I play big, rebound, dribble, shoot, play defense, I can do everything!  I love doing the small things like hustle plays, take charges, whatever the team needs me to do.  People also say that I am an underrated passer, I love to pass and get teammates involved."
 
He definitely brings an NBA type of mentality to UE and is ready to adapt to the system of head coach Walter McCarty.
 
"Our system is very, very detailed.  You have to work very hard to be successful."
 
That type of work is something that Williams has been preparing to do for a long time.  He models his game after his favorite players – Kevin Durant, LeBron James and James Harden.
 
"I'm a Rockets fan being from Houston, but more of a Warriors fan.  Kevin Durant is my favorite player – along with LeBron.  I mix my game with those guys and James Harden," Williams added.
 
When Williams watches an NBA game, he looks at it from a totally different angle than the average person.
 
"I watch film and highlights of those guys during the season to see just how they pick their spots on the floor, how they play and translate it to my game when I am in practice," Williams said.  "I just try to model my game after them."
 
Now, he will have the chance to use that experience on a daily basis as the offense that Coach McCarty is installing at UE is similar to what is used at the NBA level.
 
"All of the plays that we have, I see in the NBA all the time.  They run it to perfection," he explained.  "That is our goal as a team – to run our plays to perfection.  Everyone can score out of it; it will be something new.  I think I will excel in some plays that translate from the NBA – there are so many options from each one.  I feel like I can pick and roll, pick and pop and do everything that is needed from me."
 
While finishing his work at prep school, Williams was preparing for the next step in his life.  His coach was a good friend of Walter McCarty and was able to assist in getting the ball rolling.
 
"My coach from prep school knew Coach McCarty for years.  When he got the UE job, my coach reached out to Walter," Williams said.  "We built a good relationship from there.  It was just the perfect situation.  I always wanted to go Division I.  On my visit, everybody was cool and friendly and it felt like a family environment.  I connected with the coaching staff right away.  It feels like everyone has my back 100%."
 
McCarty gave Williams some of the best praise that a coach can give to a student-athlete.  He explained that Williams has the chance to go down as one of the best-ever to put on a Purple Aces uniform.  Just as you would expect, Williams is ready for the challenge.
 
"To have Coach say that means the world to me.  I know he believes in me and I won't let him down, academically or athletically.  I'll do everything in my power to make this team successful."
 
Williams brings an energy and enthusiasm that is infectious.  That is just the person that he is and that is how he connected with McCarty.
 
"Both of us are always smiling – that's how we built our relationship.  Everything was so cool," Williams said of his relationship with McCarty.  "We are very much alike.  I don't like being mad or frustrated; if I'm angry, I try to crack a joke and make things better for everyone." 
 
Evansville is the farthest Williams has been away from home, but he is making the adjustment and could not be more excited about the future.
 
"I am adjusting very well.  I really like it here," he explained.  "Having 24-hour access to the gym, doing lifting and everything else has been great.  I am just very excited and ready to see what the season will be like." 
 
 

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