PINE BLUFF, AR – After a tremendous impactful season for the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff men’s basketball team, one player would stand out for not just the team but in the entire SWAC (Southwestern Athletic Conference) as a whole. Shawn Williams was named First Team All-SWAC and Newcomer of the Year.
Since transferring to Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Williams had his mind locked on one goal, and that was to earn respect for the UAPB men’s basketball program.
Williams made an immediate impact for the Golden Lions from the first time he and his teammates stepped foot on the floor together in Omaha, Nebraska, to take on Creighton, scoring 16 points in his UAPB debut with four of his six shots being three-pointers.
Finding his sweet spot on the floor, Williams took his dominant jump shot and ran with it the whole season, giving AP Top-25 teams from across the country buckets such as his notable 26-point game against Colorado State and 21 points against Iowa State.
When it was time for conference play, Williams entered another realm, taking his game to another level and not showing remorse to any team Arkansas-Pine Bluff faces.
He dropped 30 points on the road against Texas Southern in January to establish early in conference play that he was about business and wasn’t here to play.
Staying consistent throughout the season, Williams finished his senior season strong. After posting 15 points in a big win against Alabama State, the results from all of the hard work, late nights, and early mornings in the gym become the most transparent on the court it’s ever been.
Williams posted three back-to-back-to-back 25+ point games and two back-to-back 30-point games to end his season the right way:
28 points vs. Alabama State
26 points vs. Prairie View A&M
29 points vs. Texas Southern
Career-high 34 points vs. Mississippi Valley State
32 points vs. Jackson State
“I worked hard for this, and to see all of the blood, sweat, and tears payoff is the greatest feeling in the world,” said Williams about being able to add First Team All-SWAC and Newcomer of the Year to his legacy. “I want to thank Coach Solo for believing in me, motivating me, and pushing me in this journey.
UAPB men’s head coach Solomon Bozeman loves to see his student-athletes succeed on any level and is incredibly proud of Williams, the hard work he’s put in, and how he demanded his respect.
“I have known Shawn for 14 years. I have watched him grow and mature into a fine young man through the ups and down. He truly evolved into a leader for our team, so it comes as no surprise that he’s achieved Newcomer of the Year and First Team All-SWAC,” said Bozeman about Williams’ success. “It’s only fitting that Shawn is getting the recognition that he deserves and bittersweet that I no longer get to coach him, but I look forward to watching his continued growth.”
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