Alan Williams
Junior center Alan Williams has been named the Big West Conference’s Preseason Player of the Year by CollegeSportsMadness.com, it was announced Monday.
Williams, a returning First Team All-Big West choice and Second Team All-District Selection, was also named to the website’s preseason all-league first team.
In 2012-13, despite battling injuries, Williams had one of the finest all-around sophomore seasons in school history. He became the first Gaucho in 23 years to average a double-double as he finished at 17.1 points and 10.7 rebounds per game. In fact, he had 15 double-doubles, also the most in 23 years. Additionally, he paced the team with 64 blocked shots and 29 steals. In Big West play, Williams averaged 19.2 points and 11.5 rebounds per game.
A two-time Big West Player of the Week, the Phoenix native scored a career-high 32 points in a pivotal win at Cal State Northridge, collecting 16 rebounds in the same game. Williams had a 29 point, 17 rebound performance in an overtime win at Santa Clara. He also had a career-high 17 rebounds against Cal Poly.
Two of Williams’ teammates were also sited by CollegeSportsMadness.com. Senior guard Kyle Boswell and sophomore guard Michael Bryson were each named to the site’s 20-player all-league teams. Boswell averaged 13.0 points per game and he led the team with 78 three-pointers. Following the year he was selected the Big West’s Sixth Man of the Year and Honorable Mention All-Big West.
Bryson averaged 8.4 points and 3.5 rebounds per game overall and 9.3 points per game in league play. He was selected to the All-Big West Tournament Team after scoring a career-high 29 points and making a career-high seven three-point baskets in a league tourney game against Pacific.
Season tickets for UCSB men’s basketball games are on sale now and can be purchased online by clicking here. There are numerous great plans available for a home schedule that includes Cal and Utah State, in addtion to the regular Big West rivals. For more information, fans can call 805-893-UCSB (8272) or drop by the ticket office in the ICA Building on campus.
Not only do the Gauchos return the trio of Williams, Boswell and Bryson, they also welcome back sophomores Taran Brown, Mitch Brewe and Sam Beeler. Forward John Green, who has missed the last two years with injuries, will also be added to the already potent lineup, as will point guards Zalmico “Z” Harmon (Ventura College) and Eric Childress (Leuzinger HS).
