THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, April 5, 1995 TAG: 9504050605
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ED MILLER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 84 lines
He was not the kind of player you see in the CIAA every year. Or even every decade.
Taller than many CIAA centers, as quick as many guards, it seemed sometimes that Norfolk State's Corey Williams was beamed down from a higher level and loaned to the Spartans for two seasons.
A Williams highlight video would include end-to-end forays, crisp crossover dribbles, rain-making jumpers and lookaway passes - all the more impressive coming from a man 6-foot-8.
And dunks. Lots of dunks.
NBA stuff, some of it. But while there's no doubt Williams has NBA moves, the question is whether the CIAA Player of the Year can make the mega-move - the twisting, spinning, double-clutch, hand-in-your-face move - from Division II to the NBA.
Not many have. Occasionally a small-college ping-pong ball pops out of the hopper of pro hopefuls. The Charles Oakleys, Scottie Pippens and Dennis Rodmans are the exceptions.
Williams knows that. He hopes that with an exceptional performance in this week's PIT, he can become an exception, too.
``I thrive off that, off all the doubters,'' Williams says. ``That just makes me work harder.''
Pro scouts are paid to be doubters. They know that trying to go from small-college basketball to the NBA is like going from dirt-track racing to the Indy 500. You've got to adjust to the higher speed and intensity just to get in the race.
``Initially, (Williams) just has to show that he belongs,'' says Chuck Douglas, assistant general manager and chief scout for the Washington Bullets. ``There's a step up in competition level, and first of all he has to show that he can compete and hold his own.
``If he's able to do that, and he's able to create any space between himself and other players at the PIT, obviously that's a bonus.''
Williams created plenty of space between himself and the pack while at Norfolk State. Scouts from the Nets, Bulls, Celtics, Pacers and Blazers came to Norfolk State games to watch him. One scout had him rated the fifth-best senior prospect at small forward.
If talent alone was enough, Williams would seem to have the tools to forge an NBA career. He can play above the rim or out on the floor. He handles and shoots the ball better than most players his size.
But Williams still needs to show that he has NBA strength, can play NBA defense and play with big-league intensity.
``That was the worry,'' Douglas said. ``He kind of played at a high level in spurts. There's no way he's going to be able to cut it on and off against this competition, especially if he wants to shine at all.''
In his defense, Williams didn't face the type of players, game in and game out, who could push him. And the mellow Williams at times seemed reluctant to outshine his teammates. His scoring average, dipped from 23 points during his junior year to just under 20 this year.
But Williams raised his level of play during Norfolk State's NCAA run. He led the Spartans to the Division II final four, the best finish in school history. He was also voted a first-team All-American.
``My intensity comes with the competition,'' Williams said.
If that's the case, Williams should have no problems with intensity now. He'll be the only Division II player at the PIT and one of only two small-college players. He got his first taste of postseason competition Sunday, when he scored 10 points in the National Association of Basketball Coaches All-Star Game in Seattle.
Douglas said Williams will need to use the PIT to show that he can consistently knock down the 15- to 20-foot jump shot and take care of the ball.
``The fact is, he's a small forward, and he needs to show skills, perimeter skills,'' Douglas said.
Williams, 25, says he just plans to ``play my game.'' It's already taken him from an Elizabeth, N.J., loading dock - where Williams was working after leaving junior college - to the brink of an NBA career.
``Since I've come to Norfolk State a lot of positive things have happened,'' Williams said. ``I've gotten myself around a lot of people who are positive.
``The dream is within reach. Just never give up.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff file color photo
by CNB