10
LoboTV: Getting to know KENDALL WILLIAMS
2013-14 • SENIOR
Stats & Trends
Led the Lobos with 168 assists and was one of 23 finalists for the Cousy Award for the second straight year • led the team with 63 three-pointers and became only the second player in school history with four consecutive 400-point seasons • finished his career with the most free throws made in school history, and he finished fifth in scoring at UNM • is the Mountain West all-time leader in assists for all games and for conference only games • is a three-time All-Mountain West pick and a three-time all-region pick.
Single Game Highlights
Played a near perfect game in the opener with 17 points on 4-of-4 shooting from the field, two three-pointer, and 7-of-8 from the line, while adding seven assists and no turnovers • had a second straight efficient game with 20 points on just four shots, hitting 13-of-14 from the line against Charleston Southern … also added 10 assists for his third career double-double • led UNM with 29 points in a career-high 47 minutes against UAB … his running 30-foot three-pointer with no time on the clock tied the game and sent it to overtime, and he also had a second straight double-double with 29 points and 10 assists • scored 13 points with five assists against UMass • scored 12 points with a pair of assists and steals in a win over Davidson • scored a game-high 28 points against San Diego including a UNM record performance from the line, going 16-for-16, adding a season-high tying six rebounds • hit for 20 points again as he scored 24, including 12-of-17 from the line, against New Mexico State • scored in double-figures once again with 10 points, and he harassed Cincinnati All-America candidate Sean Kilpatrick into 5-for-18 shooting • had a superb scoring night against Kansas with 24 points on 7-of-13 shooting, and 8-of-9 from the line, including a four-point play • scored 17 points against New Mexico State, going 11-of-12 from the line • scored 14 points, including three triples, along with three assists against Marquette • had another efficient game wtih 15 points on just five shots, going 2-for-2 from three-point range and dishing out eight assists against Grand Canyon • had a brilliant game with 22 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists, nearly a triple-double, against Colorado State • scored 10 points and grabbed a career-high four steals, leading to a pair of easy dunks at Wyoming • led UNM with 19 points, including an “S on the Chest” performance late against SJSU, scoring 10 of UNM’s last 11 points, including the winning shot with 58.8 left in the game … added a team leading seven assists and three steals along with six rebound • had 15 points and nine assists with no turnovers against UNLV, the first player for UNM in the Mountain West era to have at least nine assists and nine turnovers • quietly had another fantastic game with 13 points, three assists and two steals and solid defense in a win over Fresno State • once again had a stellar game with 18 points including three threes, and nine assists and three steals with just a lone turnover against Boise State • scored 19 of his 23 points in the second half as he led UNM to a comeback win at Colorado State…hit five three-pointers in the second half, including one that tied the game with 2:33 to go…also added five assists • scored 16 points with a team-best steals and three assists as he helped UNM to a win at Utah State • scored 11 points with five assists against San Jose State • struggled against Wyoming with no assists and four turnovers, but scored 13 points, including hitting five free throws in overtime as a part of a 13-point night • become just the second player in school history with four consecutive 400-point seasons when he scored a team-high 22 points at Boise State, including a go-ahead three-pointer with just 21.6 to go • saw his double-figure scoring streak stopped at 23 when he scored just seven against Nevada, but had five assists and three steals with no turnovers • Was named to the Cousy Award Final 23 Watch List for National Point Guard of the Year • tied a season-high with 29 points including four threes, adding a game-high seven rebounds, three assists and two steals as he helped defeated UNLV in Las Vegas • scored 10 points and added seven assists against San Diego State • had 10 points and two assists against Utah State • had 11 points and 10 assists at Nevada, becoming the first player in school history to record a double-double of points and assists without a turnover, and is the second person in school history with double-figure assists without a turnover • had 11 points and three assists on senior night against Air Force • had four assists and seven points against San Diego State as he was limited by foul trouble • was named First Team All-Mountain West and All-Defense, becoming only the second Lobo in school history to be a three-time All-Mountain West performer … was also First Team All-District VIII, and All-District • hit for 17 points including nine assists against Fresno State in the conference tournament • hit for 16 points including a key three with 1:51 to go and two free throws with 18.6 left in a semifinal win over Boise State • scored 16 points including a perfect 6-for-6 from the line and a deep three with 24.4 left and UNM up just two points as the Lobos defeated San Diego State to win the MW title • was named All-Mountain West Tournament • struggled in the NCAA Tournament against Stanford, scoring just three points, although he grabbed five boards and had five assists.
2013 AUSTRALIAN TOUR
Averaged 18.3 points per game and 6.3 assists per game over the three-game tour • went 11-for-22 from three-point range, using the international distance • added four steals • scored 24 points with six assists in the opener against the Sydney Kings • had 16 points in a win over Kilsyth, followed up by 15 points and nine assists against the Gold Coast All-Stars.
GENERAL INFO/CAREER
Easily the quickest player on the squad, Williams was one of the nation’s top freshmen in 2010-11, and he has developed into one of the top upperclassmen • can play multiple positions • originally committed to UCLA • is an avid chess player and soccer player • one of UNM’s vocal leaders • on pace to become the first Lobo to finish in the top 10 in scoring and top five in assists in a career • 103 games played and 98 starts • 17th all-time at UNM with 1,269 career points and 7th with 449 assists…the 5th Lobo with 1,000 points, 400 assists and 100 steals…UNM is 38-5 in Williams’ career when he has 5+ assists.
2013 MW TOURNAMENT
Averaged just 8.3 points in the three games on 7-21 FGs, 2-8 3s and 9-16 FTs, but did have 10 rebounds, 17 assists, great defense and only four turnovers • 12 points, seven assists and no turnovers in the title game win vs. UNLV • six points, four rebounds and four assists against Wyoming in the quarterfinals…did not attempt a 3-pointer for the first time this season and for only the fourth time in his career • seven points, five rebounds and six assists against San Diego State.
2012-13 • JUNIOR
• Branch Law Firm Men’s Basketball Awards • Co-Most Valuable Player
• Mountain West Player of the Year and 1st Team All-Mountain West (4th Lobo to earn MW P.O.Y. recognition, joining Ruben Douglas (2003), J.R. Giddens (2008) and Darington Hobson (2010)
• Mountain West Player of the Year, Jay Bilas (ESPN)
• U.S. Basketball Writers Association All-District VIII team
• MW Player of the Week (Feb. 25 after 46-point game at Colorado State)
• MVP of the Paradise Jam (52 pts. and 11 assists in 3 games)
• 1 of 20 finalists for the Bob Cousy Collegiate Point Guard of the Year Award
• Preseason All-Mountain West
Stats & Trends
Played in 34 games with 32 starts…did not start against Portland and South Dakota State and did not play against Fresno State in The Pit; all of those decisions were made by Coach Alford as the result of Williams being late for team functions…averaged a team-high 13.3 points and 4.9 assists, plus 38 steals, while shooting 76.5% from the FT line…led the Mountain West in minutes at 34.4/game, and was 2nd in assists and assist/TO ratio (2.31) • 89 points in his last four true road games (22.3 ppg) on 15-26 accuracy (58%) from 3-point • after his 46-point performance at Colorado State on Feb. 23 when he made 10 3s, he scored just 79 points in the final eight games (9.9 ppg) on 23% (6-26) shooting from 3-point.
Single Game Highlights
17 points, seven assists, six rebounds and no turnovers against Davidson…set career highs with 13 FTs made and 14 FT attempts • 23 points against Illinois-Chicago, draining 12-13 FTs…scored 11 of UNM’s final 19 points over the last 8:07 • 14 points in the dramatic win over George Mason…his 3-pointer from 33 feet with 11.9 seconds left brought UNM to within 69-67…he then stole the ensuing in-bounds pass that eventually led to Tony Snell’s game-winning 3 with 1.8 seconds remaining • scored 13 of his 15 points in the second half vs. No. 21 UConn as UNM won the Paradise Jam tournament…added five rebounds, five assists and two steals in 38 minutes • 10 points and seven assists in 32 minutes against Idaho • after just two points on 2-6 FTs against Mercer, Williams responded with 24 points and 43 minutes played in the OT win at Indiana State • 13 points and season highs for assists (9) and steals (3) against USC…nailed a huge 3 with 1:53 remaining after the Trojans had scored 10 straight to trim the Lobo lead to 70-65 • close to the 3rd triple-double in school history with 15 points, a career-high eight rebounds and seven assists against New Mexico State • 24 points at New Mexico State…all of his points came in the final 27:19 of the game…rolled his right ankle a minute into the game and needed assistance to the bench, but came back with a vengeance…scored nine points during a 11-0 run that erased a 25-14 NMSU lead • didn’t start in the loss to South Dakota State because he was late arriving for the game, but finished with a team-high 21 points, four assists and two turnovers in 34 minutes…the first Lobo since Dairese Gary in 2011 to score 20+ points in consecutive games • 14 of his game-high 16 points came in the second half in the win at No. 8 Cincinnati when he made all of his four 3-pointers (5 attempts) • team-high 15 points at St. Louis, but just 5-14 from the floor in 38 minutes • nine of his 11 points in the win over UNLV came in the final 7:01 of the game when he drained a pair of 3-pointers…the final trey with 2:15 to go gave UNM its decisive lead at 60-58…added four rebounds, three assists and three steals • 11 points and a game-high six assists at Boise State • scored nine points but led UNM with four assists against Colorado State…the nine points ended his streak of double-figure scoring games at seven • team-high 14 points, four rebounds and three assists in 35 minutes at (25) San Diego State • 12 points, six rebounds and four assists in 37 minutes at Wyoming • 11 points, six rebounds, seven assists and a career-high tying four steals against Air Force • team-high 13 points (4-12 FGs, 3 dunks) and five assists at Fresno State • 10 points (2-4 3s), four assists and two steals against Boise State • just eight points (1-6 FGs, 0-4 3s) against San Diego State, but eight assists and six rebounds in 37 minutes • seven points, five rebounds, six assists and two steals against Wyoming • 10 points, five assists and three steals at Nevada • second career double-double with 21 points and a season-high 10 assists at Air Force…made 6-10 FGs, 4-7 from 3 and 5-6 FTs…scored UNM’s last eight points of the game • eight points against Harvard in the NCAA Tournament, but just 1-6 FGs (6-6 FTs) and no assists for the first time in 57 games.
2011-12 • SOPHOMORE
• Preseason All-Mountain West • Midseason Cousy Award Watch List • Second Team All-Mountain West •
• Branch Law Firm Men’s Basketball Awards • Outstanding Defensive Player • Most Assists
Averaged 16.5 points per game in the exhibition season, hitting 19-of-20 free throws • Led UNM with seven assists and added 12 points in the opener against New Orleans • came off the bench with a team-high 16 points against Arizona State • rebounded from a zero field goal game with 17 points, including a team-leading seven rebounds • had a 10-point night, including several late free throws, against Boston College • had six assists and seven points versus Idaho State • scored a then-season-high 19 points, going 10-for-12 from the line against Missouri State • scored seven points against USC • led UNM in scoring against Oklahoma State with 16 points, including going 6-for-6 from the line in the second half • filled up the stat sheet against Montana State with eight points, seven assists, and four steals • did not play against UMKC, as coach Alford sat him for the game for “having a poor first semester academically” • rebounded from the benching with 12 points and four assists against New Mexico State • had nine points, including a steal and breakaway dunk with under two minutes left, against Saint Louis • scored nine points on his best shooting night of the season, going 4-for-6, against Houston Baptist • scored a career-high 21 points with a career-high tying four three-pointers against North Dakota, adding six assists • led UNM with 14 points including 2-of-3 from three and a perfect 6-for-6 from the line at Wyoming • scored 16 points with five assists against San Diego State, hitting four three-pointers, a career-high at the time • tied for team leading in scoring against UNLV with 15 points, including a pair of threes and three assists with two steals • scored seven points but dished out four assists and blocked two shots against Colorado State • netted 14 points with a team-high five rebounds against TCU, adding a team-high three steals • had a perfect night from the field, going 5-for-5 from the field with a three, and 2-for-2 from the line against Air Force, adding four assists • led UNM with 18 points, 14 in the second half, at Boise State • led UNM with 10 points and five assists against Wyoming • tied his career-high with 21 points, including a career-best five threes, in leading UNM to a win over SDSU in San Diego • scored seven against UNLV, with two steals • led UNM with 16 points against the CSU Rams, including 9-for-10 from the line • scored 10 points off the bench against TCU, adding three assists • scored six points against Air Force but added seven assists with no turnovers • had seven assists for the fifth time this season, to go with nine points against Boise State • scored 13 points on 5-of-9 shooting against Air Force in the quarterfinals of the MW Tournament • was plagued by foul trouble but scored seven points with four rebounds against UNLV • led UNM with 14 points, including eight free throws, and six assists in the title game against SDSU • averaged 11.3 points and 4.0 assists during the conference tournament • scored 16 points against Long Beach State, and gave UNM the lead for good with a three-pointer with under five minutes to go • scored in double-figures with 11 against Louisville.
2010-11 • FRESHMAN
UNM’s leading scorer in four postseason games (MWC Tournament and NIT) at 16.3 ppg • was 11-26 from 3-pt. and 18-20 FTs • Led UNM with 55 3-pointers, which is highest total ever by a Lobo freshman, and he was second in the MWC in three-point accuracy at 42.6% • Double figures in assists twice, and 141 for the season, the third-most by a Lobo freshman • Team-high 18 points in 37 minutes at Alabama in the NIT, tying career highs with four treys and six rebounds • Team-high 18 points, plus five rebounds and four assists in a team-best 36 minutes against UTEP in the NIT…tied a career-high with eight FTs (in 10 attempts • 6-6 from the line in the final 1:20 to seal the win • UNM’s second-leading scorer at the MWC Tournament with 29 points in the two games, including a game-high 16 against Colorado State when he made 4-5 FGs, 2-2 threes and 6-6 FTs • Snapped out of a four-game shooting slump in the win at No. 3 BYU on March 2 with 15 points (6-11 FGs, 3-5 3s), seven assists and just one turnover • 16 points at Colorado State Feb. 12 when he tied a career-high for the third time with four threes • also four rebounds, four assists and two steals • Team-high 16 points in the win over No. 9 BYU Jan. 29; had a huge second half with 12 points on 4-5 FGs, 2-3 from 3, 2-2 FTs, two rebounds and two assists while playing all 20 minutes • 10 of those points came in a span of 5:02 during the Lobos’ furious comeback • 16 points at Air Force Feb. 1, tying a career high with four threes, all coming in the first half • also equaled a career best with six rebounds • 11 points at UNLV Jan. 22, going 7-8 at the FT line • only miss in the 63-62 loss came with 1.1 seconds left after he stole the in-bounds pass and was fouled • Team-high 18 points, three assists and three steals at Utah Jan. 19 • nailed a half-court three at the end of the first half • Eight points, 10 assists and four steals against Cal State Bakersfield • 14 points and five rebounds at Dayton • scored six of the UNM’s final eight points in regulation on three extremely difficult shots • All-tournament team at the Las Vegas Classic with 29 points, 14 assists, seven rebounds and four steals against Colorado and Northern Iowa • First career double-double with 18 points and a career-high 11 assists against Colorado in Las Vegas • it’s the most assists by a UNM freshman since John Robinson II had 11 at Fresno State on Jan. 4, 1999 • Nine points (7-10 FTs), three steals and eight assists against The Citadel • Career-high 20 points and six assists against Longwood…made 7-8 FGs, including 3-3 from three-point, and three steals • 15 points, four rebounds and three assists vs. New Mexico State on Dec. 11 • 18 points on 4-8 FGs, 3-5 threes and 7-8 FTs in the OT win at New Mexico State • added a career-best six rebounds, four assists and two steals in 40 minutes • had a key steal in the closing seconds to preserve the victory • 15 points (4-6 FGs, 4-5 threes, 3-6 FTs) against Arizona State • made his first four threes, and added four assists and a team-best three steals.
HIGH SCHOOL
A 2010 graduate of Los Osos HS in Rancho Cucamonga where he was first team all-state and a two-time All-CIF selection • Los Osos is Spanish for “The Bears” • A three-year starter who averaged more than 21 points a game in his final three seasons • Led the Grizzlies in scoring (22.5 ppg), assists (4.7 apg) and steals (2.9 spg) as a senior • Also averaged 7.7 rebounds a game • Played for head coach Dave Smith • Top scoring game was 40 points against Upland when he was 14 of 26 from the floor and 11 of 13 from the line • Ten games with double-figure rebounds, including a high of 13 against Vista Murrieta and Arcadia • Had four or more steals 10 times • Los Osos was 20-9 in his last season • Excellent in the classroom with a 3.7 cumulative GPA.
PERSONAL
Born July 3, 1991, in Upland, Calif • Full name is Kendall T. Williams • the “T” is just an initial • Son of Robert and Debbie • Father is a private investigator and mother is a math professor at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut, Calif • Oldest sister Chelsea attends UC Irvine while another sister, Britni, was a goalkeeper for the University of Arkansas soccer team from 2007-10, setting school career records with 27 shutouts and 30 wins • Kendall is an avid chess player • Interested in journalism or broadcasting after playing days are over • Majoring in University Studies.