Pace Paw Print

Issue date: 3/12/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Alex Pandolfi

Alex Pandolfi- Faithful readers of the Paw Print, welcome to this week's Setter Stage. My interview this week is with Pace's all time leader in three pointers for men's basketball, Ryan Williams. Alright Ryan, how long have you been playing the game?

Ryan Williams- I have been playing since I was about nine.

AP- So what got you into the game altogether?

RW- My friend's dad saw me playing around when I was a kid and he wanted me to join his recreational team.

AP- Where are you from Ryan?

RW- I'm from Centreville, Virginia.

AP- Since that's a little further down south, what differences do you see between the people here and there?

RW- People down south are more relaxed. Up here everyone always appear to be more jumpy. It's a lot calmer down south.

AP- So let's talk about that three pointer record. What were you thinking going into that game?

RW- I actually didn't know about it going into the game. I found out later after that game. I knew going into the season that I was going to break it based on the amount I had, but I didn't know when it was going to happen.

AP- It just so happens that you have a counterpart on the women's team, with Stephanie Klingele breaking the women's three pointer record. If you had a three point shootout against Klingele who do you think would win?

RW- I would have to say it would be me. I couldn't let a girl beat me and admit it. I have to say though, she would definitely give me a run for my money.

AP- Has basketball always been your sport, or has there been other sports thrown in the mix?

RW- It has been strictly basketball.

AP- That's good, being great in one sport rather then alright in a few sports. So you mentioned to me that you're a business management major. With that said where do you see yourself in ten years?

RW- In ten years, I really want to be a college basketball coach. Next year, I'm hoping to play overseas.

AP- That's a nice goal you have set for yourself. If you could coach any college, Division-I or II, you could choose any of them, which college would it be?

RW- It would be Georgetown. I grew up near there, it's the hometown team and my dad went there.

AP- I have to ask this question every week, I feel it says a lot about a person. If you could have dinner with any three celebrities, who would they be?

RW- Michael Jordan, because he's just the greatest basketball player ever. Will Smith, because as a kid I used to watch a lot of Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and his movies. The final person would be Vida Guerra, the model.

AP- What is something about you that people wouldn't know just by looking at you, knowing that you play basketball?

RW- Everybody thinks I'm shy, but once you get to know me, I'm outgoing and everything.

AP- If you could face any professional basketball player in a three point shootout who would it be?

RW- J.J. Redick, I used to love him in college even though he doesn't play much in the pros. He holds the NCAA record for most career three pointers made.

AP- If you could pick any of the professional teams to play on, which would it be?

RW- It has to be the Wizards. They are my hometown NBA team.

AP- Speaking of the Wizards, their guard Gilbert Arenas always says "Hibachi" before taking a shot. I just learned recently my personal favorite player Dwight Howard talks to the ball before taking a shot. Do you have any interesting habits while shooting normally or just free throws?

RW- I don't do anything really weird.

AP- I saw one of your games earlier this season when you guys were beating a team badly. You caught a fast break and attempted to dunk, but came just short. My question is, can you dunk?

RW- Yes, I can dunk. At that point in the game I didn't really want to rub it in since we were winning by so much. Also, I didn't have the right feet placement and the ball slipped out of my hand. I normally just dunk for fun in practice.

AP- Is there any song that gets you ready to play?

RW- I don't really listen to music before a game. I just relax, and usually I take a nap before the game.

AP- I have been asking people this lately, but what's your opinion on St. Patrick's Day? A true holiday, or not?

RW- I don't really think much of it. It's a holiday and a lot of people get into it by getting drunk and stuff. To me, it's just another day.

AP- Ryan, are you a cat or a dog person?

RW- Pets aren't really my thing, but I would say cats. There are less maintenance and they make less of a mess.

AP- Alright Ryan, we are going to end this interview with this. You are graduating very soon, do you have any words of encouragement for your teammates that are moving on?

RW- Just to play every game like it's your last, because you don't know when it will end.

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