Jan. 18, 2007

ATHENS, Ohio - From the beginning of his collegiate career as a member of the Ohio University men's basketball team, Leon Williams has been bestowed with numerous awards-beginning when he was named MAC Freshman of the Year. Now in his junior season, the accolades have continued, including being named a Preseason All-MAC selection this year.

"I think I have been successful so far at Ohio University. Getting an education though, that is the most important thing, but I have had great success on the basketball court as well," Williams said. "I don't even worry about [being named Preseason All-Mac]. It is good to be named, but the preseason does not matter. What matters is the end of the season, so I work to be named at the end."

Williams has been in starting line-up for the Bobcats since he arrived on the team, and has proven to be a dominant force in the post. As an upperclassman now, Williams said he has made strides in improvement.

"Not only physically but also mentally. I feel I am in much better shape, because I had been running during the summer, and mentally I understand the game better and have made improvements."

Helping lead to those improvements has also been the rise of fellow post player Jerome Tillman in his sophomore campaign. With Tillman, Williams sees parallels to his freshman season.

"His play helps me out a lot. It reminds me of my freshman season when Terren [Harbut] was here. It's great to have an another big guy to help me out and not put the whole load on me, so it's been great."

Originally from Baltimore, Md., Williams cited several things he misses about being away from his hometown.

"I miss my family of course, and good seafood, and my friends. I miss the home-cooked meals for sure."

Williams' No. 5 jersey is a popular sell at the bookstores and are often seen being worn by students in the O-Zone. Williams said he enjoys seeing the support in the crowd.

"It makes me feel good, definitely. It's crazy to see people wearing my jersey number, so it's definitely a good feeling."

So why the No. 5 jersey?

"Coming in to my freshman year I wanted #4 and #21 because of Chris Webber and Tim Duncan, my favorite players. They were both already taken, so I just chose #5. To be honest, I really like it now. It is something original to me." With six seniors graduating after this season, Williams knows it will be on him to be the leader of the team next year.

"I feel like I have already done a good job of leading by example. Maybe once the seniors are gone I can improve on being more vocal, and I feel I will be with it being my senior year."

Williams and the Bobcats will face MAC East Division rival Buffalo in the Convocation Center tonight at 7 p.m.

Williams' profile was written by Brice Wiley, a junior jounalism/public relations major.