The Tribune’s Silver Basketball Award has been given to the Big Ten’s most valuable player since 1946. This year’s award goes to Illinois sophomore point guard Frank Williams. Williams is the fifth Illini player to be so honored and the first since Jim Dawson in 1967.
Williams joins a veritable who’s who of former winners, including Ohio State’s Jerry Lucas from 1960-62, Michigan’s Cazzie Russell in 1965-66, Minnesota’s Jim Brewer in 1972, Michigan State’s Magic Johnson in 1979, Indiana’s Steve Alford in 1987 and Michigan State’s Mateen Cleaves in 1998-99.
We thought we’d tell you all of this because chances are pretty good Frank Williams won’t get around to it.
“Frank’s not hung up on that stuff,” said Illinois coach Bill Self. “He’s not a press-clippings guy. He doesn’t check out where he ranks nationally or what people are saying about him. He just plays. That’s one thing I love about him.”
Frank’s sister Marlena, a senior forward on Missouri’s women’s team, said Self has got that right.
“When Frank wins something, he doesn’t even talk about it,” she said. “When he was named Big Ten Player of the Year [by the media and coaches earlier this month] he was probably excited, but he never even told me. I had to find out about it from people here on campus.”
Marlena knows Frank as well as anyone. Of the 10 children in Mary Williams’ basketball-mad clan, she and Frank weren’t just the closest in age, they were the closest period. “You’d see him, you’d see me,” said Marlena.
When they were little, Marlena, who goes by the nickname “Pepper,” used to be one of the few who could show up Frank in a heated game of one-on-one.
“We did everything together,” said Frank. “Movies, basketball, playing jokes on people; but especially basketball. She used to beat me all the time when I was little. She was more of an inside player. I was more of an outside player. But then times changed.”
Or rather Frank changed–from good to “man, he’s good.” Marlena remembers Frank literally passing her by in junior high.
“He was a much better ballhandler than I was,” she said. “By the time he was in 8th grade he was playing with guys in their 30s. High school kids would just come to watch him play. The moves he has now he had then. Everything he does I’ve already seen.”
That alley-oop pass Frank threw to himself on that late-game dunk in the first round NCAA tournament victory over Northwestern State? The no-look pass he flipped over his shoulders to Marcus Griffin for a hanging jam against the Demons?
Frank claims his amazing moves just came naturally–with an assist from Gary Payton.
“Everyone used to pattern themselves after Michael Jordan,” he said. “But I kind of patterned myself after Payton. He could post guards up and he got his nickname `Glove’ because of his defense. And I like to play defense too.”
Williams’ emergence this season as an all-round floor leader and clutch performer who carried Illinois to a share of the Big Ten crown was the primary reason he beat out players such as Indiana’s Kirk Haston and Michigan State’s Jason Richardson for the Silver Basketball. Williams didn’t lead the Big Ten in a single category, but he led the Illini in scoring (14.7), free-throw percentage (.797), assists (4.4) and steals (2.0). And he led them by not being afraid to take the ball to the basket with the game on the line.
“Frank’s stats are misleading,” said Self. “Frank would lead the league in scoring if Frank wanted to lead the league in scoring.”
Williams said his favorite games are those in which he scores six points or less and gets his teammates involved. Williams has quickly taken the blame for losses this season even when they weren’t his fault.
“In reality,” he said. “I know it’s my fault. I’m the point guard. I’m supposed to be running the team.”
Marlena said the only thing her brother should really feel guilty about is his singing.
“Frank thinks he can sing really well,” she said. “He walks around the house and whatever comes on the radio he starts singing it. But he’s not as good as he thinks he is.”
Marlena is averaging 13 points and 3.5 rebounds for the Tigers (22-9), who will face Louisiana Tech (30-4) Saturday in the East Regional semifinals at Pittsburgh. The night before, Frank will lead Illinois against Kansas in the Midwest Regional semis in San Antonio.
It’s almost more excitement than Mary Williams can bear right now. Two kids to watch in two NCAA tournaments. Another award of Frank’s to find a place for in the living room. And all that on top of speculation Frank may decide to enter the NBA draft once the season is over.
“I had no idea [Frank] would be this good,” said Mary Williams. “I always told him I couldn’t figure out what he’d be. Everything he has done has exceeded my expectations tremendously. He’s come a long way.”
Yeah, but will he decide to turn pro?
“That’s a hard question to answer,” she said. “We’ll talk about it and weigh the pros and cons. I’ll let him decide, but whatever he decides he’s got to get that diploma. It means a lot to me and to him.”
