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Wednesday, October 8, 2008
E-DUB
Houston, TX
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Erik Williams: Cy Springs’ Most Powerful Panther Is Ready To Get Back On The Hardwood
How does Cy Springs High School big man Erik Williams not have a nickname?
“Come to think about it, he really doesn’t have a nickname,” coach John Harmatuk said. “That really is strange for how big-time a player he is. He is the best I’ve ever coached.”
How about “The Big E” or “Easy E” for his easy-going demeanor? What about “E-Dub.” There you have it – “E-Dub” it is.
The 6-foot-7 forward is one of the country’s top players and could be the best in the talent-rich Bayou City, but no one knows how good he is since the big crack.
“Right when I did it, I knew it was bad,” Williams said. “I felt a pop in my foot and at that moment all the hard work and all my goals were taken away.”
Last January, the Marquette-bound hooper was coming off the Houston versus the Nation Tournament when during a pre-district practice he landed awkwardly on a teammate’s foot. He suffered a Jones Fracture in the foot, which would require surgery and months of rehab.
“It’s the same injury that Yao Ming had,” coach Harmatuk said. “It was bad, but it has helped him develop his game over the past several months. Players that play AAU all summer just play games. Erik was able to get in the weight room and develop his body. He also worked on his range. Now he’s a very good three-point shooter.”
When E-Dub did return to the hardwood, his Cypress Springs Panthers had since reached the third round of the Class 5A playoffs before falling to Madison High School and Tommy Mason-Griffin. His teammate Philip MacDonald was off to the University of New Mexico and he was the only remaining starter on the state-ranked program.
“It was a painful process,” he said. “I had to be patient and disciplined to the doctor’s orders. When I was cleared I could do some agility drills, before rejoining my AAU Houston Select team, which still had tournaments in Las Vegas and California. I wasn’t used to running up and down the floor and I didn’t have my legs. It was tough.”
…
Tough is what Big East basketball is all about. Williams verbally committed in October of his junior year to Marquette University.
“The coaches are really going to push me there,” Williams said. “They are a very scrappy team that likes to get up and down the floor. That’s what we do here at Cy Springs so that is going to be a great fit. I think being far from home and just getting used to college life will be tough at first, but I’ll just push through it. It’s going to be a challenge.”
First things first, however. Williams is preparing for his senior season where the target will be on his back all season.
“I’m more well-rounded than last year,” he said. “I used to just attack the basket. Now, I’ve got my shot going and my handles are a lot better. We are expecting big things and going to play hard, and everything should take care of itself. For me, I’m going lead by example and put this team on my back if I need to.”
Sounds a lot like his favorite player – Los Angeles Laker
Kobe Bryant.
“I love his basketball demeanor and attitude on the court,” he said. “I think about playing in the NBA every day, but I know something like that won’t come easy. I want to play four years in college and then go after my dream.”
At least he’s got the nickname if he gets to the league.•
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