http://www.sacbee.com/kings/story/401584.html
Marty Mac's World: Williamson goes home to begin new chapter
By Martin McNeal - Bee Columnist
Last Updated 12:11 am PDT Thursday, September 27, 2007
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C2
Corliss Williamson always has been about Arkansas. He'll tell you in a second that he's an Arkansan. And don't ever question or challenge the pride of a Razorback, whether it's boxer Jermain Taylor, who fights Kelly Pavlik this weekend, or the "Big Nasty" himself.
Williamson, 33, who Wednesday announced his retirement from pro basketball at the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame, said he completed one revolution of life's circle by shutting it down as a member of the Kings.
"I've always felt I wanted to retire as a King," said Williamson, who also played with Detroit, Toronto and Philadelphia. "I began my NBA career with the Kings, and now my life and career have come full circle because I've returned back to where everything started."
Williamson was the 13th player drafted in 1995 after three years at Arkansas, which he led to the 1994 NCAA title. Williamson, 6-foot-7 and 245 pounds, was a man-child who dominated at the high school and collegiate levels. But some questioned whether his low-post game would translate into the pros.
Those with questions did not know of the fiber with which Williamson is woven. He worked hard to expand his game, became the 2002 Sixth Man of the Year and played an integral role in the Pistons winning the 2004 NBA championship.
"That's the highlight of my pro career," he said. "That's a feeling I can't describe to someone who hasn't experienced."
Williamson returned to Sacramento from Philadelphia in 2005 in the Chris Webber deal and overcame a lack of playing time from then-coach Rick Adelman to become a viable force last season under Eric Musselman. He easily could have continued playing but chose another option.
Williamson is looking forward to "joining the real world,"as his friends tell him. He'll work as an assistant coach at Arkansas Baptist College under Charles Ripley.
"Coach Rip coached (Los Angeles Lakers guard) Derek Fisher at Parkview (Little Rock) High, where they have been a national power for years," Williamson said. "And I went to AAU practices in his gym from the fifth grade to my senior year in high school. It's been harder and harder for me to get mentally ready the last couple of years, And I've always thought about becoming a coach.
"And now I'm going to be able to coach and stay at my house here (in Little Rock). (Tonight) I'm going to my first parent-teacher's conference. That's something I'm looking forward to doing."
A highlight to remember was a Kings home game in December 1997, when Williamson lost control and suddenly chased NBA bad boy Derrick Coleman of Philadelphia up the press table. Williamson laughed when reminded of that night.
"That was a crazy moment," he said. "That was one of my funniest moments, that and the (fight) with Indiana's Jermaine O'Neal. Those are funny to look back at and see I've grown up a whole lot."
Williamson said he will take lessons learned from each of his coaches, particularly former Kings assistant Pete Carril.
"I'll take his knowledge of the game and how he dealt with players as well as his offensive philosophy. It means the world to me to have been able to work with coach Carril. ... 'Coachie.' "
Said Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie of the man he drafted, "He's one of the best pros I've been around and we've been around. He maximized his abilities as a basketball player and was a class act while he was doing it."
About the writer: The Bee's Martin McNeal can be reached at mmcneal@sacbee.com
Marty Mac's World: Williamson goes home to begin new chapter
By Martin McNeal - Bee Columnist
Last Updated 12:11 am PDT Thursday, September 27, 2007
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C2
Corliss Williamson always has been about Arkansas. He'll tell you in a second that he's an Arkansan. And don't ever question or challenge the pride of a Razorback, whether it's boxer Jermain Taylor, who fights Kelly Pavlik this weekend, or the "Big Nasty" himself.
Williamson, 33, who Wednesday announced his retirement from pro basketball at the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame, said he completed one revolution of life's circle by shutting it down as a member of the Kings.
"I've always felt I wanted to retire as a King," said Williamson, who also played with Detroit, Toronto and Philadelphia. "I began my NBA career with the Kings, and now my life and career have come full circle because I've returned back to where everything started."
Williamson was the 13th player drafted in 1995 after three years at Arkansas, which he led to the 1994 NCAA title. Williamson, 6-foot-7 and 245 pounds, was a man-child who dominated at the high school and collegiate levels. But some questioned whether his low-post game would translate into the pros.
Those with questions did not know of the fiber with which Williamson is woven. He worked hard to expand his game, became the 2002 Sixth Man of the Year and played an integral role in the Pistons winning the 2004 NBA championship.
"That's the highlight of my pro career," he said. "That's a feeling I can't describe to someone who hasn't experienced."
Williamson returned to Sacramento from Philadelphia in 2005 in the Chris Webber deal and overcame a lack of playing time from then-coach Rick Adelman to become a viable force last season under Eric Musselman. He easily could have continued playing but chose another option.
Williamson is looking forward to "joining the real world,"as his friends tell him. He'll work as an assistant coach at Arkansas Baptist College under Charles Ripley.
"Coach Rip coached (Los Angeles Lakers guard) Derek Fisher at Parkview (Little Rock) High, where they have been a national power for years," Williamson said. "And I went to AAU practices in his gym from the fifth grade to my senior year in high school. It's been harder and harder for me to get mentally ready the last couple of years, And I've always thought about becoming a coach.
"And now I'm going to be able to coach and stay at my house here (in Little Rock). (Tonight) I'm going to my first parent-teacher's conference. That's something I'm looking forward to doing."
A highlight to remember was a Kings home game in December 1997, when Williamson lost control and suddenly chased NBA bad boy Derrick Coleman of Philadelphia up the press table. Williamson laughed when reminded of that night.
"That was a crazy moment," he said. "That was one of my funniest moments, that and the (fight) with Indiana's Jermaine O'Neal. Those are funny to look back at and see I've grown up a whole lot."
Williamson said he will take lessons learned from each of his coaches, particularly former Kings assistant Pete Carril.
"I'll take his knowledge of the game and how he dealt with players as well as his offensive philosophy. It means the world to me to have been able to work with coach Carril. ... 'Coachie.' "
Said Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie of the man he drafted, "He's one of the best pros I've been around and we've been around. He maximized his abilities as a basketball player and was a class act while he was doing it."
About the writer: The Bee's Martin McNeal can be reached at mmcneal@sacbee.com
