Maybe Marvin Williams was simply destined to be a standout basketball player.
After all, the Marist High School senior has a hoop legacy running through his veins. His father, Marvin Sr., was a player at St. Anthony in the early 1980s. His cousin, Mandy Johnson, is a Hudson County Hall of Famer and was one of the first true basketball stars to come out of St. Anthony, eventually having a fine career at Marquette University, also in the 1980s.
“Basketball has always been an important part of my life,” Williams said. “We had a lot of basketball in my family. I’ve been playing since I was about three years old and I’ve always wanted to play.”
Williams first headed to the school that produced his father and famous cousin, but left in the middle of his sophomore year.
“I really liked St. Anthony, but I had to do what was best for me,” Williams said. “It was the right move to come to Marist, both for academics and basketball.”
It actually turned out to be the best move the young man could have made.
“It really turned out to be a blessing,” Williams said.
Since the 6-foot-1 Williams has arrived at Marist, he’s been nothing short of brilliant, improving every single time he steps on the floor.
“He pretty much surprises me every single game,” said Marist head coach Tony Romano. “There’s always something that he comes up with. I think I have his repertoire down pat, then he’ll do something different with a dribble or creating a shot or making a pass. He does some things that I really don’t expect.”
Williams had a sensational junior year for the Royal Knights, averaging close to 20 points per game, earning Hudson Reporter All-Area Second Team honors.
But Williams didn’t rest on those laurels. He pushed himself to be a better player this season by doing a little extra in the off-season.
“He did a lot of work on his own, going to camps and playing in summer leagues,” Romano said. “He’s really developed a nice shooting stroke, but he’s doing a lot of other things as well. He’s going to the basket more. He’s making good passes and getting more assists. It’s what coaching is all about, watching the kid develop into something special, seeing his maturity level rise, growing into a young man.”
The young man entered play last week needing less than 100 points to reach the prestigious 1,000-point milestone, a plateau that had not been reached by a Marist boys’ basketball player since Demetrius Boards (currently at Ramapo College) did it five years ago.
“I knew I was getting close, but I really didn’t want to know,” Williams said. “I didn’t want that to get in the way of how I got ready for games. I just wanted to come out each game and play hard.”
After Williams scored 36 in a win over Weehawken in the opening round of the Hudson County Tournament last Saturday, Williams stood just 25 points away from the 1,000.
There was only one problem. The Royal Knights’ next game was against state-ranked power Hudson Catholic. The Hawks had not lost a game inside the confines of Hudson County this year, so it was going to be a challenge for Marist and Williams.
“I didn’t even know how many I needed,” Williams said. “I was more concerned with facing a good team like Hudson Catholic and trying to get a win. I felt like we were struggling a little as a team and I felt like I had to elevate my level of play a little to get the win. I had to get us going.”
Williams went out and scored 27 points, leading the Royal Knights to the upset victory, 70-67, surpassing the milestone in the process.
For his efforts, Williams has been selected as The Hudson Reporter Athlete of the Week for the past week.
“I really don’t think it’s sunken in yet, because we had another game right away [against Union City],” Williams said. “Maybe it will hit me a little later this week. It feels pretty good. I think I’ve proven myself that I’m a good player.”
“We weren’t sure that he would be able to get it against Hudson Catholic,” Romano said. “They’re a very good team, being state ranked and no one beat them in our league. I just think it was a real special night for him, his family and the team. That it came in a big win made it extra special.”
While Williams continues to perform well and earn his place in Marist annals, he has yet to receive major interest from colleges, even though he’s already an academic qualifier.
Some NCAA Division II schools have expressed interest, but Williams does not have one Division I offer.
“It’s still very surprising,” Romano said. “I don’t know what else the kid has to do to prove himself. There were a lot of college coaches at the game [against Hudson Catholic], so maybe that will help. He’s starting to get some recognition that he deserves now. I hope that others will come out and see him play. He would be an asset to any college program. A lot of the coaches of the teams we’ve faced know how good he is. They see the same thing I do.”
Williams isn’t caught up in the lack of attention he’s received.
“I still have the same feeling that I had before the season,” Williams said. “Things happen for a reason. Things are happening slowly for me, but I’m still going to be patient and hope that something good will happen.”
Romano has enjoyed every minute coaching Williams.
“Without a doubt, he’s been a pleasure to deal with,” Romano said. “I have nothing but positive things to say about Marvin. He’s just an all-around good kid and a very good basketball player.”
Williams has been saving his best performances for the end of the season once again. Last year, in the Hudson County Tournament, he scored 41 in a win over Memorial. It appears as if Williams is doing the same thing again this season.
“I think that’s a testament to his leadership qualities,” Romano said. “As a senior, he feels that sense of urgency, feeling that these could be his last games. He’s feeling the sense to perform at a higher level and it’s coming through right now.”
“It’s just the right time of the year to be playing well,” Williams said.
And there are at least 1,000 reasons why he’s doing so well for the Royal Knights.
Jim Hague can be reached at OGSMAR@aol.com.