Oklahoma State freshman Quion Williams hoping to use strong finish in NIT as 'springboard'
STILLWATER — Quion Williams questioned everything.
Basketball was as hard as it had ever been. Oklahoma State’s lone freshman was struggling to find his place.
He questioned how much fun he was having. Was it all worth it?
“You always go in with big hopes,” Williams said.
But hopes don’t always come true, especially for a true freshman in the Big 12. So, Williams turned to teammate Chris Harris Jr. for guidance.
Harris — who has struggled with knee injuries — provided perspective.
“You never know what’s going to happen,” Williams said.
What’s happened is Williams has shown signs of turning the corner late in the season. Beginning with a breakout game against Baylor a few weeks ago, he’s become a huge spark off the bench for the Cowboys.
More:Oklahoma State men's basketball rallies past Youngstown State to win NIT opener
Williams, who is averaging 3.0 points and 2.5 rebounds per game, brings high energy and the ability to play with courage no matter the results.
“It’s who he is as a competitor,” OSU coach Mike Boynton said. “I’m certainly glad that he’s continued to get better. I think some of it started toward the last part of the regular season.
“He’s just continued to grow and get better. I’m really happy for him. Hopefully, it’s a springboard as he continues to move forward in his career.”
Boynton first noticed a change in Williams during OSU's miserable two-game stretch at TCU and West Virginia. The 6-foot-4 guard played 19 and 18 minutes in the blow-out losses, bringing needed energy.
Two games later, he broke out for a career-best 12 points and six rebounds in 29 minutes during a loss to Baylor.
“I feel like the Baylor game was my, ‘Welcome to Big 12 game,’” Williams said.
Williams missed the regular-season finale at Texas Tech due to a death in his family but returned for the Big 12 Tournament. He was solid against Texas in the quarterfinals.
Then he was at his best in Wednesday’s win over Youngstown State to begin the NIT. He had 11 points and a career-high 11 rebounds for his first-career double-double.
He was dynamic off the bench, grabbing tough rebounds as OSU rallied.
Williams continued to make some mistakes — he had two turnovers — but he never let them pile up as he had in the past.
“I think finding a balance between playing with a little bit of recklessness and playing a little bit more under control,” Boynton said. “You have to do a little bit of both when you’re a freshman who’s not being asked to score, because the recklessness shows up with the hustle, the offensive rebounds, defending, taking a charge, loose ball because you know the team needs that from somebody.
“But the under control has to continue to get better and then obviously from a skill standpoint he’s gotta continue to get better as a shooter.”
Williams knows that will come with time.
His focus is on finishing strong. He also wants to be a leader next year when the Cowboys are expected to bring in a freshman class of five.
“They’re going to have the same hopes,” Williams said. “So, I gotta lead by example.”
More:How Jacie Hoyt's lost opportunity 18 years ago set her on a path to be OSU's head coach
Boone ‘struggling right now’
Earlier this season, there was confidence that star senior Kalib Boone had found consistency. Instead, he’s fallen into a severe funk.
“He’s struggling right now,” Boynton said. “It’s at a time where Tyreek (Smith) is playing well for us, so we’re able to kinda cover it up some.
“But there’s no doubt we’re our best when he’s playing really well. We still have to find a way until he gets going again.”
Boone played just 14 minutes and scored only two points at Youngstown State, though he was not expected to play after battling an illness earlier in the week. Boynton said Boone was not cleared to make the trip until an hour before departure.
But that doesn’t cover up that Boone has not started in four straight games. He’s averaged just four points in that span.
“A lot of it’s mental, just his psychological approach,” Boynton said.
More:How Oklahoma State is turning page from NCAA snub to trying 'to try to win the NIT'
Cisse still not at full strength
OSU star center Moussa Cisse never fully recovered from his ankle injury that he suffered on Jan. 2, but he’s able to play through it.
“He wanted to play when he was like 25%,” Boynton said. “We just wouldn’t do that because it was too much of a risk. When we felt comfortable he wasn’t going to do any more damage is when we allowed him to work his way back.”
Boynton said the 7-foot-1 junior is at about 85% at this point.
“And 85% when you’re that tall and athletic is still pretty good,” Boynton said.
OSU vs. Eastern Washington
TIPOFF: 1 p.m. Sunday at Gallagher-Iba Arena in Stillwater (ESPN2)
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma State's Quion Williams finishing season strong in NIT
