On Williams: Point guard transfer from Hofstra, who will have three years of eligibility at UMass ... Sat out the 2010-11 season per NCAA transfer rules ... Great skills, vision and ball-handling ability.
AS A SOPHOMORE IN 2011-12:
• Recorded the first double-double of his career with 20 points and 10 assists, both tying career-highs, in win vs. Northeastern (11/14). His 10 assists were the most by UMass player since Chris Loew had 11 on Feb. 25, 2009 vs. Duquesne.. • Had game-highs in points (18) and assists (8) while also grabbing six rebounds and three steals in his UMass debut vs. Elon (11/11).
As a freshman in 2009-10 at Hofstra:Game-By-Game Statistics
Named to the CAA All-Freshman Team ... Played for coach Tom Pecora ... Averaged 9.8 points and 4.2 assists and played some of his best basketball toward the end of the season ... Shot 38.9 percent from 3-point range (37-95) ... Scored in double figures 16 times ... Scored a career-high 20 points three times: at George Mason (1/4), vs. George Mason (1/19), and vs. Drexel (2/10) ... Had a career-high 10 assists twice: vs. New Hampshire (12/12) and vs. Georgia State (2/27) ... Grabbed a career-high nine rebounds vs. Rider (2/20).
Before College: Starred for four seasons at Bishop Ford High School in Brooklyn...Helped his team to a state championship as a junior, when he averaged 22 points and 11 assists...Had 32 points and 12 assists in the state championship game...Averaged 25.9 points and 6.2 assists as a senior, but saw his hopes for a second straight state title derailed with a postseason shoulder injury...Graduated as the second leading scorer in Bishop Ford history...Named a Jordan Brand All-American...Nominated to McDonald's All-American game...Two-time League Player of the Year...Named first-team all-state (Class A) by the New York State Sportswriters Association...Named second-team All-New York City by the Daily News...Rated the sixth best recruit in New York City by Rivals.com...Earned MVP honors at the Metro Classic while playing for the New York City boys team.
Personal: Has an older brother and an older sister...Lists Chris Paul, Allen Iverson and Nate Robinson as his favorite athletes...Lists His Life And Universe by Albert Einstein as his favorite book...Started playing basketball at age 3... Born April 6, 1991.
A FEW MINUTES WITH CHAZ:
If I could be any animal: A Lion
Why UMass?: Coaching
I hope to do this before graduation: NCAA Tournament
Best pregame meal: Grilled chicken
Player you pattern your game after: Nate Robinson and Chris Paul
Why do you wear your jersey number?: 11 because of my dad
Three words I'd use to describe myself as a basketball player: Nate Robinson Jr.
What advice would you give to the freshmen? Keep working hard and stay focused
Can't go on a road trip without: iPod, laptop, and phone
What is your first basketball memory?: Going to the park with my Pa
When I was five, I thought I would be: A basketball player
Most challenging thing about college so far: Transfering, adjusting to this weather
My first thought when I went to college: Thank God
TV show I want to be on: The Game
Who first taught you to shoot a basketball?: My father, mother, and cousins
Favorite food from the DC: Stir Fry
Favorite spot to study on campus: By the water
Favorite pair of shoes: Gucci
What I would do first if I was President: Make sure all single parents are well taken care of
Favorite sport other than basketball: Football
Favorite movie from the past year: More Than A Game
Where I would spend $1,000 first: Toys r Us
What does basketball mean to you?: The world
Favorite part of practice and game day: Competing
Weird fact not many people know about me: Lactose Intolerant
