Felipe Corral

The State Press

Sports Reporter

A Sunny Dream

On March 8, 2016 the Phoenix Suns agreed to a 10-day contract with Phoenix
native, Alan Williams. The same Big Al that many Arizonians watched grow up in
South Phoenix with the dream of becoming a National Basketball Association (NBA)
player.

It is common for a youth, raised in a resource impeded community, to have his or

her dreams of playing in the NBA labeled as unrealistic. However, the beauty of
Williams story is that he was able to thrive in scenarios filled with adversity and
eventually make it to the league.

Williams grew up playing for Team AZ, a club affiliate of the Salvation Army in South
Phoenix, where many youth from the area go after school for activities or to simply
shoot some hoops. This is the same recreational center that has developed some of
Arizonas top basketball players in the last decade and could provide inspiration to
young athletes from the area.

At times, motivation can diminish for these youth due to the minimal influence that
surrounds the South Phoenix area, but Williams insists they keep dreaming and dig
deeper to find resources that will help accomplish their goals.

There were different high schools, colleges and programs in the community that
helped me learn the game of basketball. You just got to believe in yourself and
always put education first, said Williams.

As to what kept him grounded growing up? Williams praised his family, friends and
the collective support of the South Phoenix area.

He went on to dominate basketball at North High School (NHS); winning two state
championships and receiving All-Arizona basketball honors. Williams stuck to his
roots of hard work until North Highs basketball coach, Joseph Bustos, took notice.
Coach Bustos applauded Williams rebounding discipline, exquisite work ethic as a
student athlete, but most of all alluded to Williams character.

He cared not only about the varsity team, but also about the junior varsity and
freshman teams by showing an explicit amount of support and willingness to help,
said Bustos in regards to Williams positive influence.

Williams continued his basketball domination at the University of California Santa

Barbara (UCSB), where he broke the school rebounding record of 904 previously
held by Eric McArthur. According to the UCSB mens basketball website, Williams
ended with 1,205 career rebounds. Still, he faced a dilemma, because the
university is not known for evolving NBA players.

I was not at a big school, which meant my NBA chances were not as high,
Williams said. They (NBA recruiters) gotta find talent; so if you are good enough to
play in the NBA, you and you work hard, they will find you and you will have an
opportunity to turn some heads.

Williams went undrafted after his senior year at UCSB and started playing for the
Houston Rockets summer league team before he played in China for a year. It was
only matter of time before he accomplished his life-long dream of playing in the
NBA in March of 2016.

It is now Oct. 26, 2016 and Williams is set to participate in his first season opener in
the NBA with the Phoenix Suns. According to the Arizona Republic, he is the fourth
Valley high school product to play for his hometown; joining the likes of Channing
Frye (St. Marys High School), Gerald Brown (Carl Hayden High School) and Bernard
Thompson (South Mountain High School).

To many across the nation Williams is another NBA center debuting in a season
opener. However, to young athletes and residents across the Valley he is a sign of
optimism and potential.

Seeing a guy representing the city I live in and the high school I attended gives
me pride, said Jaziel Camarillo, former NHS student and Suns supporter. He has
made a difference for me in how a boy that grew up in the same city is making his
dreams come true.

I am proud to know and have played with the big fella, said Ahmad Levon, former
teammate of Williams. He represents himself as well as the people who have
helped him each and every night.

So is it possible for a youth, whose dream is labeled as unrealistic, to play in the

NBA?

Williams answers, Absolutely, I think I am an example of it. Where you are from
does not matter, it is about who you are as a person, the character you go out with
every day and the hard work dedicated to your craft.

He underlined the significance of remaining humble and staying true to the goals
set by an individual and even if you come close to reaching those goals, you will be
proud of what you did.

It would be common for an individual to interpret Williams success as infrequent,

but for those who witnessed his development, it is not a relief to witness his
continued triumph and inspiration.