George Washington University Athletics
George Washington University
VCU
He'd Be Proud
2/4/2019 5:24:00 PM | Men's Basketball, My GW: Celebrating our Stories
When the 3-pointer slipped through the net, DJ Williams flashed a goofy smile and three fingers on each hand toward his gleeful teammates on the GW bench before his thoughts turned serious.
With the late trifecta last Wednesday against Fordham, Williams knew he'd reached 30 points for the first time in his collegiate career. Turning to head up court, the redshirt junior put his index finger to his lips and then pointed it skyward.
For Williams, the spontaneous celebration was a subtle way to honor a fallen friend.
Since Saieed Ivey was found shot dead on his 20th birthday in June 2016, Williams has found his former teammate at Chicago's Simeon Career Academy is never far from mind.
"I've been through a lot these past couple years," Williams said. "So, I was just really grateful at that moment."
Ivey's memory has continued to fuel Williams as he's settled in with the Colonials. The Illinois transfer has looked more confident than ever lately, turning up his production in his first taste of Atlantic 10 play. He's hit double figures in five straight games and six of eight in all against conference foes.
Williams' 30-point effort in a comfortable victory over the Rams – achieved off 11-of-25 shooting from the field and a 7-for-8 effort at the foul line – provided the latest (and to-date greatest) highlight.
As GW prepares to host A-10 contender VCU on Wednesday at Charles E. Smith Center, Williams hopes to keep that momentum flowing.
"It definitely feels good," said Williams, who paces the Colonials at 14.0 points per game for the season. "A couple years ago, to be honest with you, I didn't know if I could perform at a high level like that again, just from my confidence kind of being stripped away from me, but I was able to gain it back once I came here.
"I feel more comfortable around my teammates, around the coaching staff. When you've got a staff and a team that's pushing for you to work hard and stay aggressive to be a great player, it just makes it easier."
Williams has showcased a skillset and confidence level built through hard work. Since joining the Buff and Blue in July 2017, he's impressed the staff with his approach to getting better.
A former top 100 recruit nationally, Williams has put in the time to make the most of his fresh start in Foggy Bottom. He brings an old-school flair offensively with a well-refined midrange jumper developed through repetition.
Almost every day, he gets into the gym for some extra shooting, targeting 10 or 12 makes from seven different spots on the floor.
"I try to go game speed every time on every rep," Williams said. "So once the game comes, it feels second nature for me."
Williams always hits the area around the free throw line for a spot or two, which made him a perfect fit for attacking Fordham's 2-3 zone. The Colonials looked to the 6-foot-7, 215-pound guard early and often last time out, and he continually found room to get off quality looks.
Williams piled up 15 first-half points to help the Colonials grab the lead, including a beautiful spin move in transition and finish through contact for an old-fashioned 3-point play just before the break.
After halftime, Williams scored on GW's first two possessions and found teammate Maceo Jack for a 3-pointer on the third to force Fordham into a quick timeout. He established a new career high with his 21st point via a free throw with 17:21 left and kept on going.
"I know the work he puts in, and I know how much confidence he has in himself," said Jack, who also netted 15 points after halftime. "It's just a manifestation of all the work he puts in and the trust he has in his own game. I see it in practice every day."
Williams' performance keyed a bounce-back effort for the Colonials to snap a three-game losing streak and build confidence heading into the stretch run. Afterward, head coach Maurice Joseph pointed to a season-high 21 assists against nine turnovers as a sign of the group's continued growth.
"We stuck to the script," Joseph said.
Williams enjoyed every minute of it. He knew a 30-point performance was within reach late in the game but did his best not to force it.
When he knocked down the 3 to get there off a pass from Shandon Brown, he punctuated it with the nod to Ivey.
Although he couldn't play last season due to NCAA transfer rules, Williams started a gameday ritual meant to honor his friend, who was living in California and playing hoops at a local community college at the time of his death.
When the national anthem ends, Williams pauses a moment before heading back to the bench for introductions. He taps his chest twice and then points two fingers skyward.
"Because two's his favorite number," Williams explained.
After reaching the 30-point mark, Williams opted for a slightly different tribute, the soft-spoken guard letting his emotions rush out between plays.
Postgame, Williams took his place in the spotlight at GW's press conference and mentioned he wished Ivey would've been there to see it.
It was a night to remember for Williams – and one he knows his friend would've relished, too.
"I feel like he'd definitely be proud of me," Williams said. "There's a group of us that played high school together that we're all in a group chat. They were really happy for me, shooting me texts after the game. I know he would've done the same, as well."
