LOS ANGELES — If you stay ready, you don’t have to get ready.
When UCLA men’s basketball trailed USC 22-15 with 6:28 left in the first half, freshman forward Devin Williams scored four straight points to jump-start the Bruins’ 12-0 run, part of a greater 24-6 surge to close the first half of their 65-60 victory against the Trojans.
The 6-foot-10 freshman was ready when his number was called by UCLA coach Mick Cronin, even after not receiving any playing time the previous seven games.
Williams has played in only six of UCLA’s 20 games this season, averaging 2.3 points in four minutes per game. However, he said he’s already learned so much by having a front-row seat to watch college basketball.
“First of all, the main thing was being the best teammate,” Williams said. “Clapping every time. Standing up, cheering on my teammates but seeing it, being able to watch and be like, ‘OK, I can be in this position, that position or I see Adem or whoever Berke do this, do that.’ Just honestly taking notes in my head and asking questions to Coach and being able to hopefully apply it onto the floor and help the team.”
Williams credited his ability to contribute when called upon to constantly honing his craft.
“Honestly, just being in the gym every single day,” said Williams, who is less than a year removed from being a star at Corona Centennial High, where he helped win a third consecutive CIF-Southern Section Open Division title.
“Trusting the process,” he said. “Watching highlights every day. Watching practice, going over practice just seeing how it is, what can I do to get on the floor. Staying poised. Staying confident always so whenever my number is called I’ll be ready.”
Williams’ final stat line against the Trojans of four points, one rebound and one block in 7 minutes and 32 seconds tells only part of the story, according to Cronin.
“You have to stay positive with them in practice and you have to stay committed to…
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