HIGH SCHOOL

Former Siegel standout Williams inks with pro team

Tom Kreager
tkreager@dnj.com

MURFREESBORO – Cedrick Williams studied Spanish to fulfill foreign-language requirements at both Siegel High and later North Carolina-Wilmington.

The former Stars standout basketball player now wishes he had chosen French.

Williams, a former TSWA all-state basketball player and 2011 DNJ Basketball Player of the Year signed with Angers BC 49, a professional basketball team based in France. The contract, signed Friday, is a one-year deal.

“I actually thought I was going to end up playing in Spain,” Williams said. “I thought I could use my Spanish. But I got a better opportunity in France.

“I’m now like, ‘Man, I should have taken French. I’ll need Google Translate and all of that.”

Williams played the past four years at North Carolina-Wilmington, playing three years for coach Buzz Peterson and one year for coach Kevin Keatts.

“It’s really exciting to just have the opportunity to play professionally and get my feet wet,” said Williams, a 6-foot-9 forward. “This is a way to grow in my career.

“It’s really exciting to come from Siegel to Wilmington and now going across the pond.”

Williams is Siegel’s second men’s basketball player to play overseas. Keith Ramsey played this past season in Germany.

“I got chills when he texted me (Friday) and said he was playing over there,” Siegel coach Ben Dotson said. “This says a lot about him and his work ethic.

“He will do a great job over there. He will be a good ambassador for Siegel, Wilmington and his family.”

Williams is the son of Ruben and Pam Williams.

Cedrick Williams averaged 13.5 points and 10.7 rebounds per game his final year at Siegel en route to being named the District 7-AAA MVP. He was an All-District 7-AAA Tournament selection and All-Region 4-AAA Tournament member. He racked up 117 blocked shots.

Cedrick Williams started 26 of 32 games this past season for the Seahawks. He played in every game.

He ranked fifth on the team in scoring (7.5 ppg) and second in rebounding (6.3 rpg). He led North Carolina-Wilmington in blocks with 41.

He scored a season-high 23 points and had 12 rebounds against VMI this past season.

Cedrick Williams’ junior year he led the team in points (11.5 ppg), rebounds (6.6 rpg) and blocked shots (46).

He said he knew his basketball days were not over after his college days ended.

“After the basketball season was over, I started gearing my mind toward being a pro,” he said. “It’s still surreal. This is a childhood dream. I’ve always wanted to play professionally at one of the highest levels.

“My end goal is to retire in the NBA. I understand I’m at the bottom of the totem pole and am working my way up it. I think I have the skill set and motor to do that.”

Contact Tom Kreager at 615-278-5168 or tkreager@dnj.com. Follow him on Twitter @Kreager.