Reggie Williams, VMI’s all-time leading scorer and current member of the NBA Golden State Warriors, will have his retired #55 jersey presented to him at a ceremony held at halftime of this Saturday’s VMI-Lock Haven football game in Lexington.
A four-year starter for the Keydets at forward, Williams (Prince George, Va./Prince George H.S.) averaged 27.8 points, 9.7 rebounds and 3.9 assists during his senior season of 2007-08, during which he led the nation in scoring for the second consecutive year. He finished his collegiate career as the all-time leading scorer in VMI, Big South Conference and Virginia State Division I history with 2,556 points, while ranking fourth all-time in VMI history in rebounds (820), fourth in three-point field goals made (196), sixth in assists (368) and sixth in steals (175).
Williams averaged 28.1 points in his junior year of 2006-07 for his first national scoring crown. He is one of nine players in NCAA Division I history to lead the nation in scoring multiple years, placing his name alongside legendary figures such as “Pistol” Pete Maravich (LSU, 1968-70) and Oscar Robinson (Cincinnati, 1958-60).
Williams is just the second VMI basketball player to play in the NBA, joining Ron Carter ’78 who spent time with the Los Angeles Lakers and Indiana Pacers in the 1978-79 and 1979-80 seasons. He is also just the third Big South player to play in the Association, breaking through after leading the D-League with 26.4 points in 31 games with the Sioux Falls Skyforce in the 2009-10 season.
A 6-6, 215-pound forward, Williams signed with the Golden State Warriors and made his NBA debut March 2, 2010. Williams appeared in 24 games for the Warriors where he averaged 15.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.8 assists and quickly earned the praise of Warriors head coach Don Nelson, who cited Williams for his unselfishness and understanding of the game. Williams topped the 20-point mark eight times with Golden State during his rookie season – including a season-high 29 points against Phoenix, 28 points in 34 minutes at New Orleans, and a game where he scored 18 fourth quarter points – including 4-of-5 three-pointers – en route to a 22-point performance in a Warriors victory over New Orleans.
Williams joins Carter (1975-78), Gay Elmore ’86 (Basketball, 1983-87), Thomas Haskins ’96 (Football, 1993-96) and Ryan Glynn ’96 (Baseball, 1993-95) in the group of VMI athletes to have their jerseys retired.
Tickets for Saturday’s VMI-Lock Haven football game may be purchased at www.vmikeydets.com or by calling 540-464-7266. Kickoff is 1:30 p.m.
Edited by Chris Graham. Chris can be reached at [email protected].
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