PITTSBURGH — Robert Morris guard Josh Williams is shooting 22-of-31 from the 3-point line in Northeast Conference play, which is good for a scorching 70.9 percent.
Furthermore, the redshirt senior is the clear-cut leader for the Colonials — who are off to a 4-0 start in the NEC.
Williams is one of those guys that could throw up a heave from the concession stand, and you would be willing to bet that the ball would swish through the net. But even with that shooting pedigree, Williams is a team-first guy, that wants to win and wants his teammates to match his success.
Williams’ teammates will be the first ones to tell you that.
“We definitely feed off of Josh,” His younger brother Jon Williams said following the Wagner win. “Once he gets going, or hits one, we’re like OK, it’s time to go. He’s an electrifying player to watch (and) player to play with. … And he’s just as selfless (as anyone). He’s not selfish at all. He wants everyone to shoot the ball just as much as him.”
Williams’ success isn’t a surprise to anyone that knows him. He says that he shoots anywhere from 400-500 shots per day, even during the season.
“The thing about Josh is he’s the first one in and the first one out,” Forward AJ Bramah added. “That just makes me want to work harder; that’s a great leader.”
Getting to rack up assists off of Williams’ shooting stroke is something that his teammates try not to take for granted. In the Colonials’ win on Saturday, sophomore point guard Dante Treacy played perhaps his best game to date, and after the game gave credit to Williams for getting him going.
“Me personally, I feed off of (Williams’ play),” Treacy said. “Once he hits a three, I’m always celebrating because I kind of know it’s going in.”
In the Colonials’ first 17 games this season, Williams has averaged 15.2 points per game, while shooting 66-for-147 (44.9%) from the 3-point line, which is 35 more makes than anyone else on the squad. Williams ranks 14th all-time in points at RMU (1,254).
“He’s put a lot of work in and spent a lot of extra time in the gym getting extra shots,” Coach Andy Toole said. “He knows that (when he hits shots), it’s going to open things for others. …When he sets the tone in that way, it just makes it easier for everyone else to kind of follow along.”
Toole and Williams both have been around the block and know that conference play will only get more challenging as they get deeper into the calendar.
RMU will look to continue their current winning streak with two more home conference games ahead. They will host Merrimack Jan. 18 and Sacred Heart Jan. 20 at the UPMC Events Center.
