New York City basketball isn’t dead — it’s just evolving.
At least that’s what Bishop Loughlin forward Keith Williams thinks. The senior standout did his best to lead Team New York City to a victory over Team USA at the sixth annual Big Strick Classic at Gauchos Gym in the Bronx on Aug. 6, but the squad dropped the matchup 156–129 despite his efforts. Williams took the game personally, because he was out to disprove naysayers that claim basketball is dying in the five boroughs.
“They say New York is down basketball-wise, but I wanted to come out here and prove it’s not,” Williams said. “I have a killer instinct and I feel like I’m the best player in New York. So that was really my mindset going in, to show that.”
It was an exhausting four quarters for Williams, who was one of just two actual New Yorkers to compete for Team New York City (the remainder were metropolitan-area standouts, including a handful of New Jersey players).
Williams rarely sat down during the game — grabbing a few moments of rest whenever he could. He was drenched in sweat by the time the final buzzer sounded, but he also relished the opportunity to compete.
“We competed hard throughout the entire game and that’s what really was important,” Williams said. “The quarters were long so that was kind of tough and we just didn’t have many guys to play.”
The Big Strick Classic was the latest opportunity for Williams in a summer that has been chock-full of big-time hoops moments. He played with New Heights on the Amateur Athletic Union circuit, and college programs have flocked to the Lions star over the last few weeks.
Williams picked up offers from Oklahoma State, DePaul, Minnesota, and Cincinnati over the course of the summer. He hasn’t made any concrete commitment yet, but he’s determined to prove that the interest is warranted.
“It’s a long list [of schools],” said Williams, who averaged 16 points and 7.4 rebounds per game with the Lions last winter. “I’m looking for a program where I can have a relationship with the coaching staff and good academics. I just want to fit and feel at home.”
Williams knows that there is plenty of basketball in his immediate future, and he’s determined to shine a spotlight — not only on Loughlin, but all of New York City hoops.
It can be a lot of pressure, but Williams wants to represent his city any way he can, no matter what the final score reads.
“I need to be a leader more,” Williams said. “I feel like I’m getting better at that. At first it was tough, but I’m starting to get more used to it and that makes it easier.”
