Xeyrius Williams

Xeyrius Clifton Williams (born May 26, 1997) is an American professional basketball player for Rasta Vechta of the Basketball Bundesliga. He played college basketball for Dayton and Akron.

Xeyrius Williams
No. 20 – Rasta Vechta
PositionPower forward
LeagueBasketball Bundesliga
Personal information
Born (1997-05-26) May 26, 1997
NationalityAmerican
Listed height6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
Listed weight215 lb (98 kg)
Career information
High schoolWayne
(Huber Heights, Ohio)
College
NBA draft2020: undrafted
Playing career2020–present
Career history
2020Körmend
2020–2021Jászberényi KSE
2021–2022Aris Thessaloniki
2022–2023s.Oliver Würzburg
2023–presentRasta Vechta
Career highlights and awards
  • Third-team All-MAC (2020)

Early life and high school career

Williams attended Wayne High School. As a junior, he averaged 11.9 points and 9.8 rebounds per game, while shooting 50.9 percent from the field.[1] Williams averaged 11.8 points and 9.9 rebounds per game as a senior and led Wayne to a Division I state title. He was named co-MVP for the second straight season.[2] Williams committed to Dayton in June 2014.[1]

College career

As a freshman at Dayton, Williams averaged 2.1 points and 1.7 rebounds per game.[3] Williams averaged 8.2 points and 4.8 rebounds per game as a sophomore. In the first four games of his junior season, he started and averaged 11.3 points per game. He missed the next five games with a back injury, and posted 16 points against Saint Mary's in his second game back but never regained his starting role. Williams stopped travelling to away games in February 2018 to focus on academics, and he was ruled out indefinitely with a back injury on February 28.[4] He finished the season averaging 5.0 points and 3.1 rebounds per game.[3] Following the season, he informed coach Anthony Grant of his intention to transfer.[4] Williams announced he was transferring to Akron on April 24, having also visited Kent State.[5]

Williams posted a career-high 25 points on December 4, 2019, in an 85-73 win over Marshall.[6] On February 8, 2020, Williams hit the game-winning three-pointer with 4.2 seconds remaining in a 59-58 win over Eastern Michigan.[7] As a senior, Williams averaged 13.9 points and 9.5 rebounds per game, shooting 90.8 percent from the free-throw line, 48.0 percent from 2-point range and 29.9 percent from 3-point range. He led Akron to a 24-7 record and the top seed in the conference tournament, which was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.[8] Williams was named to the Third Team All-MAC.[9]

Professional career

On July 25, 2020, Williams signed his first professional deal with BC Körmend of the NB I/A.[10] He averaged 8.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.0 steal per game.

On July 24, 2021, Williams signed with Aris of the Greek Basket League.[11] In 24 games, he averaged 10.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 0.6 blocks and 0.8 steals, playing around 30 minutes per contest.

On July 29, 2022, he signed with s.Oliver Würzburg of the Basketball Bundesliga.[12]

For the 2023–24 season, Williams signed with SC Rasta Vechta.

Personal life

Williams is the son of Clifton and Kay Williams. His father played football at Central State University while his mother was an athlete at Catholic Central School in Springfield, Ohio before attending the University of Cincinnati. Williams has an older sister, Shatila, and a younger sister, Alisa, both of whom are volleyball players. He was named after Xeryus cologne.[2]

References
  1. Fleer, Zach (June 24, 2014). "Across The Hoop Scene: Xeyrius Williams commits to Dayton, James Manns transfers to rival school". Land Grant Holy Land. SB Nation. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
  2. Archdeacon, Tom (November 6, 2016). "Tom Archdeacon: Name, game set Flyers' Xeyrius Williams apart". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
  3. Wilson, Reggie (March 12, 2018). "Xeyrius Williams transferring from UD". Dayton 24/7 Now. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
  4. Jablonski, David (March 13, 2018). "Xeyrius Williams announces he's leaving Dayton Flyers". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
  5. Jablonski, David (April 24, 2018). "Former Flyers forward Williams picks new school". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
  6. "Jackson, Williams lift Akron over Marshall 85-73". Associated Press. December 4, 2019. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
  7. Thomas, George (February 13, 2020). "UA forward Xeyrius Williams focused on where he is, not where he was". Akron Beacon Journal. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
  8. Jablonski, David (March 16, 2020). "Wayne grad, former Flyer Xeyrius Williams denied 'perfect close' to college basketball career". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
  9. "2019–20 Men's Basketball Postseason Awards Announced" (Press release). Mid-American Conference. March 10, 2020. Retrieved March 11, 2020.
  10. "Xeyrius Williams signs with Egis Kormend". Sportando. July 25, 2020. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
  11. Mammides, Chris (July 24, 2021). "Xeyrius Williams (ex JP Auto JKSE) agreed terms with Aris". Eurobasket. Retrieved August 7, 2021.
  12. "Xeyrius Williams komplettiert Würzburger Kader". basketball.de (in German). July 29, 2022. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
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