Interview with coach Fred Williams

October 24, 2005 - National Women's Basketball League (NWBL)
San Diego Siege News Release


Fred Williams has coached super stars Cheryl Miller, Cynthia Cooper, Tina Thompson and Lisa Leslie. He's been head coach of the Charlotte Sting and Utah Starzz as well as an advanced scout for the Utah Jazz. He's even won a National Championship while coaching at the University of Southern California. This October, Williams' career comes full circle.

"I got interested in coaching by running clinics," Williams said. "Teaching and building fundamentals." After winning a national title with the USC Trojans and two head coaching stints in the WNBA, Coach Williams will be doing just that; running six clinics for local girls ages 6-18 with the help from San Diego Siege players. This is a rare opportunity for girls to get guidance from a decorated head coach, and professional basketball players.

Williams is excited for his new opportunity with the Siege. "Patrick (San Diego Siege owner) was the one who got me initially involved. I was interested because it was so close to home," Williams said. "We hammered out a deal in 48 hours."

The next big step for the Siege is December 10th national try outs, where Williams, and the rest of the NWBL, looks to fill most of their roster. "We are looking for everything from point guards to post players." Williams said. The players he finds through the try outs could end up making or breaking the Siege. "We are especially looking for post players, anyone who's 6'3" and above, we have to take a serious look at." Height isn't the only thing Williams is looking for. "The most important thing in a player we are looking at is their hunger. We want players who are hungry to play basketball, and who want to make a professional career out of it."

The try outs will be held in San Jose from 9am-4pm, where women 21 years and older will get a chance to impress general managers and coaches from all five NWBL teams. For any woman who has a dream to make it to the WNBA, and was not drafted out of college, this is their best opportunity to someday be playing on ESPN.

Williams isn't just looking for the next Lisa Leslie in San Diego, he also sees the Siege as a commitment to the community. "This is an opportunity not only for women to play basketball, but it also is going to create a lot of jobs in the community, especially for young people," Williams said. "The Siege are the only professional basketball team in San Diego, and I couldn't be happier that our women are the ones brining this sport back to this city. I think this is going to be a marquee franchise."

For Williams, it all starts with fundamentals and teaching. "I'm looking forward to getting some players and building them into a winning team. I hope to get started soon."

For ticket information or information about the December 10th national try-outs in San Jose or information about any of the 6 Siege clinics contact General Manager David McElwee at 619.398.8399 or www.nwbl.com.



National Women's Basketball League Stories from October 24, 2005


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