Sept. 22, 2005
COLLEGE PARK, Md. -
Walt Williams, who dazzled University of Maryland men's basketball fans through four full seasons, is one of six Terrapin greats who will be inducted into the Maryland Athletics Hall of Fame on Friday, Sept. 30.
Also being inducted are joe f. blair (former sports information director), Tom Cosgrove (football), Paul McNeil (wrestling), Deanna Tate (women's basketball) and Jessica Wilk (field hockey / lacrosse).
Williams, who came to the university from nearby Temple Hills, Md., was one of the most versatile players in the history of the Terrapins program. He earned second team All-America selection after his senior season by the Associated Press, United Press International and the Basketball Writers Association of America.
He played for Maryland for four seasons despite having the opportunity to turn professional early or transfer to another school because of the Terps' NCAA sanctions at the time. His loyalty to the university was one of the key reasons why Maryland was able to field competitive teams during that period.
As a senior, he broke the single-season scoring record with 776 points and a 26.8 points-per-game average. He had a seven-game streak of 30 points or more on his way to becoming a finalist for the Wooden and Naismith Player of the Year awards.
He finished his career with 1,704 points, ranking 11th on the all-time scoring list. He had a career-high 39 points during his senior season in a game against Wake Forest.
After the end of his collegiate career, Williams was the seventh overall pick in the 1992 NBA Draft, going to the Sacramento Kings. After four seasons in Sacramento, Williams also played in the NBA with the Miami Heat, Toronto Raptors, Portland Trail Blazers, Houston Rockets and finished his pro career with the Dallas Mavericks in 2003.
The 2005 Maryland Athletics Hall of Fame induction ceremonies will be held at the campus' Inn and Conference Center on Sept. 30. Tickets for the black-tie optional event are $75 and can be purchased by contacting the M Club at 301-314-7020 or 301-314-5372.
