Kam Williams Had His Own Set of Fans at LSU

Family and friends turned out to watch Kam Williams help Kentucky beat LSU. (Vicky Graff Photo)

Greg Williams was still on “cloud nine” Friday after his son, Kam Williams, was part of Kentucky’s dramatic comeback win at LSU that ended with Malachi Moreno’s 15-foot shot at the buzzer to give UK the win.

Kam Williams had five points, two steals and one steal in the win in what was a homecoming game for him since he’s from nearby Lafayette, La. Well over 100 family members, friends and family were at the game and many were around to greet the UK sophomore and his teammates after the win.

“It was such a crazy night that is still hard to explain,” Greg Williams said Friday. “We went from the top of the mountain when (Otega) Oweh made one free throw (to cut the lead to one point) to down in the valley when he missed the second one. That next few seconds were tough hearing the LSU music and chants.

“We even had some of our people leaving because they had driven an hour or more to get to the game and needed to get home. We were trying to keep hope knowing a win was still possible but not probable. Then one long pass, catch and shot changed everybody’s world.

“I am 57n and I was running up and down in the stands going crazy. It was a night to remember.”

Williams said he was surprised by some people who showed up for the game.

“The whole family came. We are talking about kids who had basketball games who skipped their games to come watch Kam play. It was crazy,” the UK sophomore’s father said.

He said four men from the “north shore outside of New Orleans” that Greg Williams did not know came to watch him play.

“They had followed Kam for years. I think one of their children played against Kam and beat him when he was 7 or 8 years old,” Greg Williams said. “Kam has been kind of a legend here in Lafayette much like Trent Noah has been in Kentucky. It started with his brother Greg. He graduated with all the school records when Kam was in sixth grade but Kam broke them all.”

Greg Williams said the folks who stayed after the game got an unexpected treat. Not only did they see Kam Williams, but they got to meet his teammates and coach Mark Pope.

“It was pandemonium when Kam came out to where we were by the bus. He had to sign everything for people,” Greg Williams said. “But what is great about Kentucky is that they were all there for Kam but were also so happy to see the other players.

“Naturally Malachi was the guy they all wanted to see and meet. He is a 7-footer and we don’t have people that tall in Louisiana in our area. Everybody wanted to measure up with him and he loved it.

“But all those guys have the greatest patience in the world. Those players love the fans and they (players) made me look like I was the man which I appreciated. They were taking pictures and signing anything the people had. Then Pope came out and did the same thing. All our people were very appreciative and very excited to meet the Kentucky players and coaches.”

The UK player’s father hopes the win is a start of many more good things for UK.

“I try to interact with everyone and get people to be positive and not upset,” Greg Williams said. “It is so difficult to go undefeated in any conference. Even a down year in the SEC is still very, very competitive and I am not sure everyone always remembers that.”