Arizona’s Derrick Williams makes the right move
by Steve Rivera on Apr. 13, 2011, under Sports
Derrick Williams dunks on Duke. Photo by Gary A. Vasquez-US PRESSWIRE
I’m shocked! Shocked, I say!
Actually, I’m hardly shocked or surprised that Derrick Williams has decided to leave for the NBA. Wasn’t it a matter of when and not if?
It amused me, however, how many people were holding out hope that he’d stay at least one more year. Hell, that ship sailed long ago. When things were going oh-so-well this season you knew he was gone.
Heck, Solomon Hill had the line of the year when he said — and I’m paraphrasing now — that if you won the lottery would you sit on the ticket for two years? If you said yes … are you crazy?
Williams made the right move. When will he ever be rated as high as he is now — No. 1 or No. 2 in the upcoming draft. Lockout or no lockout, Williams was gone.
“I have enjoyed my two years at Arizona both on and off the court,” Williams said in a statement through UA. “I want to thank my teammates, who are like brothers to me, my coaches and all Wildcat Fans for making my experience an unforgettable one.”
He leaves in better position than any other Wildcat in his situation when it comes to early entry, excluding Mike Bibby (arguably). Back in 1998, there was some debate whether Bibby would go No. 1 or No. 2. He went No. 2 to Vancouver.
(Back in 1998, I wrote that the Los Angeles Clippers would regret not taking him No. 1 because instead they took Michael Olowokandi. I figured the Clips were being the Clips.)
Bibby’s departure was never in doubt, either.
“Today is a great day for Derrick Williams and for Arizona Basketball,” said head coach Sean Miller in a statement from UA. “Derrick is a special player and rightfully should be considered to be one of the all-time great Wildcats. As good of a player as he is, he is an even better person.”
That s what made him so special. He’s a guy who worked hard and found good fortune after working his rear off. As it should be … in any walk of life.
