Words by John Hobbs.
Dirk Williams’ return to the B. Braun Sheffield Sharks has brought excitement to their fanbase as the memories of his past highlights and exploits came flooding back.
And while Sharks fans will still see the free-flowing, high-octane offence that Williams possesses, they will also be met with a more experienced leader who will be a mentor to the team’s younger players as he looks to guide the club and hopefully add to the SLB Cup, which they won last season back in March.
“I’m very excited, obviously. I’m coming back to somewhere where I started my career,” Williams said.
“A whole new, different version of myself. I was a lot younger at the time. I’m coming back to it with a lot more experience, having played in quite a few different countries and teams out here as well.
“I’ve established myself in this city. I know a lot of people, I have my family here, my wife and kids, so it’s going to be a very fun time for me.”
The Sharks gave Williams his start in his professional career. He joined the club back in 2017 and played for two seasons, averaging 17 points and five rebounds in his first year, followed by 19 points and five boards in his second campaign before heading to Hungary. Williams then returned to the UK to suit up for the London Lions both domestically and in the FIBA Europe Cup.
He moved to Manchester before playing in France, Israel and most recently Kosovo, where he averaged 12.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.1 steals for KB Bashkimi Prizren.
But the chance to head back to Sheffield was too great for the Alabama native, who, at first, knew nothing of the city, knew nothing of the UK itself outside of London.
“It was very interesting for me to come to the UK and see the city, and obviously, I live here now; it’s my home,” Williams said. “So, it turned into a very positive situation for myself.
“Sheffield gave me a good opportunity to help me with my off-court life. I was able to meet my beautiful wife, and we had a kid together, my son, who’s named after me, Dirk Williams. That’s my guy right there, you know. He looks up to me. I try to be the best role model I can be for him.
“I try to support my family the best I can. And it was not just my wife; I’ve gotten the chance to meet a lot of good people out here. You know, I’ve gotten a lot of friends. A lot of these friends became brothers, family as well. So, Sheffield has had a very positive impact on my life.”
A MENTOR AND A LEADER
Now 31 years old, Williams will bring experience and leadership to a strong Sharks roster already filled to the brim with talent.
Alongside the return of the team’s core of Jordan Ratinho, Prentiss Nixon, Reyad West, Rodney Chatman III, Rodney Glasgow Jr. and Mike Ochereobia, Sheffield have brought in Mervin James from the Surrey 89ers, who was the joint leading scorer with 17.9 points a game last term.
They’ve also acquired British basketball veteran William Lee, who had spells with Manchester and Leicester Riders, along with rookies Nick Kern Jr. and Jalen DeLoach.
The latter two will be in the same position Williams was in back in 2017, and it gives him a chance to mentor the first-year professionals as Kern Jr. and DeLoach aim to make a name for themselves.
“I’m very excited, I was a lot more younger, a lot more immature,” Williams says as he revisits his first years with the Sharks.
“I know stuff, I know how the basketball league is in the UK as well. So, it’s going to be good to teach, especially the rookies, what to expect with everything and just learn how to soak in that role of being a leader.
“I’ve been trying to work on it in the past couple of years. So, I think this year it’ll definitely be in full effect, and I’m very excited about it. The team is kind of holding me accountable, and I’m going to try my best to do whatever I can as far as being that leader and trying to perfect that role for the team.”
With Williams’ experience and offensive explosiveness, the addition of last season’s joint leading scorer, plus two exciting rookies eager to make an impression, the Sharks could very well be title contenders again.
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