Marquette University Athletics
Golden Eagle Q&A With Erik Williams
9/23/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Sept. 23, 2009
Milwaukee -
Men's basketball player Erik Williams of Houston, Texas, is one of Marquette's new additions to the team in 2009-10. Prior to Marquette, Williams was named first team all-region, as well as all-state, as a senior at Cypress Springs High School. Williams sat down with GoMarquette.com to share his experiences upon arrival to Milwaukee, new adjustments and his new team's expectations this year as a newcomer to the BIG EAST.
Has any one else in your family played at the collegiate level? How does your family feel about you playing here at Marquette?
I have an older brother that played at McNeese State University, a Division II school in Louisiana, so he has an idea of what I'm going through when it comes to basketball. My family supports me in every step I make at the collegiate level, especially when it comes to school. Besides my brother, though, no one else in my family really knows what I'm going through when it comes to the collegiate level of basketball. So, when I have any problems, I just talk to my brother about it because he is probably the one to best understand.
As for my mom, she is really excited to see me playing at Marquette and tells all of her friends I'm here. They are all excited to see me on TV; they're just proud of me.
Since your arrival at Marquette, which teammate would you say you have become the closest with?
Everybody is close on the team. It's crazy how close we all are because we are such a new team, with a lot of new faces. But the person I'm probably the closest with would be Jeronne Maymon, who is also my roommate this year.
What was the hardest adjustment you had to make now that you are at Marquette? Do you like the campus and the city of Milwaukee?
I love the city of Milwaukee and I love the people here because they are all really accommodating. It's really different from Houston, which is a thousand miles away. The biggest adjustment for me was overcoming homesickness. The first week of summer I was here I was really homesick, but I got used to it and everything is going well now for me.
What do you like to do in your free time when you aren't playing basketball?
Well I like to say I'm always playing basketball, but when I'm not playing I'm trying to get some rest and relax.
Did you play any other sports during your high school career or when you were younger?
In middle school I played football, but then I figured out that I wasn't really going to be good in football. This led me to lean towards basketball, which I played all four years of my high school career.
What are your expectations regarding the challenge of playing in a competitive conference like the BIG EAST?
The challenge was the major reason I chose Marquette. Since Marquette is in one of the most competitive conferences, the BIG EAST, it is a huge challenge to just be here playing. Marquette also offers the challenge of a great education, so the challenge is really playing, going to school and working hard every day. Also, anyone who comes to play in the BIG EAST has to be ready mentally and physically for everything we have to do as student-athletes, so it's a challenge for me.
When you were in high school you had to struggle through a foot injury. How did you work through your injuries to maintain your game? And how are you trying to stay healthy now?
When I broke my foot, it was really frustrating. You have to really keep your composure and even though you want to go out there and get on the court, you can't rush the healing process. So, when I came back, I made sure I was 100 percent better. Basically, I just try and prevent myself from getting injured by taking care of my body before and after practices and games.
Now that you are competing at the collegiate level, what has been the biggest improvement made to your game, and what is your biggest weakness?
One of the biggest things for anyone, especially for me to improve on, is being able to be prepared mentally for what I have to go through this year and for the rest of my four years here. I think the strongest thing I have is my ability to know what I'm doing on the court. Even though I'm not there physically yet, I am confident I can make it up in other places in the game.
How have Buzz Williams and your new teammates helped encourage and improve your game?
Even though I'm a freshman, they all know that I have to help this team. They all make sure that I'm doing the right things and they don't cut me any slack just because I'm a freshman, so, they are always pushing for the best from me. I think that everybody holds each other accountable, not just me, to better each other and improve as a team.
How would you describe your style of game? How do you think playing in the BIG EAST will help your game develop?
In high school I was more of an explosive player. I was taller and bigger than everybody we played against, so I could shoot over whoever I wanted to and make it to the basket whenever I wanted to. Now things are different. In order for me to improve myself so that I am still able to shoot and get to the basket in the BIG EAST, I'm going to have to get stronger physically and with that, everything else will fall in place.
