By Jimmy Hyams
Grant Williams had 19 points and 10 rebounds in Tennessee’s Game Three victory on its recent European Tour.
The sophomore forward blocked a potential game-tying 3-point attempt to preserve the win.
He led the team in rebounding (9.3) in the three-game trip.
Does Tennessee associate head coach Rob Lanier see a better version of Williams compared to last year?
“No,’’ Lanier said. “It was a good performance by him (against the Paris All-Stars) but personally, I think Grant has to develop a little bit more of a chip on his shoulder going forward.
“It’s something he and I have discussed. It’s something he and coach (Rick Barnes) will discuss, if they haven’t already.’’
Lanier doesn’t think stats tell the whole story with the 6-foot-5 Williams.
“If he plays well, he’s going to get good numbers because he’s a good player,’’ Lanier said. “But to become the player he wants to be and is capable of becoming, there is a fierceness that he’s going to have to develop going forward.’’
Williams put up some impressive numbers as a freshman Vol last season – without that fierceness. He led the team in SEC games with 14.2 points and 6.4 rebounds. Overall, he average 12.6 points and led the team in rebounds (5.9) and blocks (61) – a UT freshman record. He scored in double digits 20 times, with a high of 30. He tied a UT single-game record with six blocks. He made the SEC All-Freshman team.
Yet, Lanier says Williams has more to give.
“He has to be careful not to think he has arrived by any stretch of the imagination,’’ Lanier said. “He needs to be super hungry.’’
Lanier said Williams is talented enough to “stumble’’ into good stats. “But if he’s going to be a leader, there is another level that we expect him to take, and we think he will respond.’’
Lanier was pleased with the three-game performance of 6-11 junior center Kyle Alexander, who was second to Williams in Europe with 9.0 rebounds per game.
“I was proud of Kyle, his activity,’’ Lanier said. “His motor is something we’ve always liked. … We think he’s taken some positive steps in the right direction as it relates to becoming a veteran player inside our program. He did a good job over there. We’re proud of him.’’
True freshman forward Derrick Walker averaged 13. points and 8 rebounds and recorded a double double.
“Derrick is tough,’’ Lanier said. “He’s college ready physically. Not only does he have the physique (6-8, 255) but he plays a physical brand of basketball. He’s a natural rebounder. He’s a tough kid. He’s a team guy. He’s been well coached at the high school and AAU levels.
“He’s a little ahead of the game when it comes to understanding what this is all about. … We’ve got a lot of confidence in what Derrick brings to the table.’’
Lanier also liked the offensive ability of junior college guard Chris Darrington, who led the Vols in scoring (14.3 points).
Lanier said the trip allowed coaches to experiment with lineups, take some chances, see if players accepted their role and played within a team concept.
“We got better with each game,’’ Lanier said. “We put together a collection of things we can build on.’’
Lanier, who has been on several similar trips with different teams, called the 10-day venture a “great cultural experience.’’
He added: “One thing you concern yourself with is, `Are the young men going to take advantage of the opportunity to have a tremendous cultural experience or are they going to eat at McDonald’s the whole time and complain about how things aren’t the way they are at home.’
“I’d say our group, as much as any group I’ve ever been around in this kind of setting, really did a fabulous job of being humble and learning as much as they could about this part of the world. That was neat to see.’’
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