New nickname reflects growth of Williams

'Da Neighborhood' making himself at home in Rocky Top

By Mike Griffith

Originally published 11:15 p.m., June 26, 2008
Updated 11:15 p.m., June 25, 2008

The Tennessee player known as "Big Baby" last summer is just about all grown up.

So much so that Brian Williams has claimed a new nickname since arriving at Tennessee as a freshman last year: "Da Neighborhood.''

Williams, 6-foot-10 and 275 pounds, claimed his real estate under the basket in Ray's 108-60 win over the News Sentinel in the Pilot Rocky Top League on Wednesday night at Bearden High School.

Williams scored a game-high 20 points on 10-of-14 shooting and pulled down 10 rebounds for Ray's E.S.G. (2-2).

Sure, most of his points against the News Sentinel (1-3) came on dunks, but that's progress for Williams.

"Last summer I couldn't get up for all the dunks I wanted,'' said Williams, who lost 100 pounds in the year leading up to his enrollment at UT. "I've actually gained eight pounds since last summer, but it's muscle weight.''

Vols' coach Bruce Pearl said one look tells the story.

"You can see how his body has changed and developed in the past year,'' Pearl said. "On the floor, he's scoring better with his back to the basket, and you know I love big men who can move.''

Williams, who grew up in the Bronx, N.Y., is no stranger to the up-and-down style played in the Pilot Rocky Top League.

"It's not a Big Man game; the streets are for guards,'' Williams said. "So I come out here looking at it like another workout. I'm using it to get in shape, running up and down the court in a hot gym.''

Williams averaged only 2.9 points and 3.5 rebounds per game last season, but he flashed his potential with a 16-point, 14-rebound performance in a tight 88-82 win over Western Kentucky last season.

Pearl said the Vols will need more performances like that from Williams this season.

"Brian understands what it will take for our program to get to the next level with the North Carolinas and the Louisvilles,'' Pearl said. "Brian's ability to make a big leap will go a long ways toward determining how quickly we can compete at the next level.''

Williams said the absence of former Vol Duke Crews, who left the program after last season, has put pressure on him to develop.

"Duke gave us a lot, offensively, defensively and in the locker room,'' Williams said. "I've got to try to pick up the slack.''

Clutch Shots: The HT Group stayed undefeated when Michael Jenkins hit two free throws with 0.7 seconds remaining to top First Tennessee 96-94.

UT redshirt freshman Cameron Tatum, who entered the night the leading scorer in the PRTL (41 points per game) left the game early with a strained groin.

"I've been in the gym working all day and my knee and groin said 'hold on' when I came down on a wet spot," said Tatum, who scored all 13 of his points in the first half before sitting out most of the second half. "I don't know if I want to push it (in tonight's game). I'll see how it feels in the morning. It's nothing too big. No one needs to worry about me - I'm good."

Tatum came down awkwardly on a dunk midway through the first half.

Courtney Pigram led HT Group (4-0) with 31 points and Tyler Smith had 23.

Jon Higgins led First Tennessee (1-3) with 24.