Thursday, December 8, 2011 Page 1-C O UR SPORTS www.a2journal.com Coming OU t party Huron grad Dante Williams adopts new role at Oakland By Mike Larson A2 Journal Dante Williams has never been a role player . As a basketball star for Ann Arbor Huron, Williams was often one of the best players on the floor , regardless of who the River Rats were playing. He won three varsity letters as a member of the Huron basketball team, he was a Dream Team honor- able mention and an all-state honoree. Now, though, as a fresh- man for Oakland University , a Division I school in Rochester , Mich. (6-2 overall, 2- 0 Summit League), Williams is discovering the finer points of playing limited minutes. “I get in where I can,” he said last week after Oakland defeated come in at 6’5” and we have a lot of guys around 6’10” but w e don’t have anyone in between,” the coach said. “Dante comes in for us and fills in that void we have for a player between 6’6” and 6’9”. He’s a long athlete and he makes alot of good plays.” Kampe also said that Williams’ is the rare player that can contribute without having to score a lot of points . “We need Dante to rebound and play defense,” Kampe said. “He doesn’t need to have the ball to help this team. We consider him a ‘glue guy.’ The kind of guy that can hold the tea m together without being a big scorer. “On this team, his role isn’t to score. In two years, his role will to be the stud. And he’s got a chance to do that. But right now, this team has some strong senior players, and Dante will have to make the most of the minutes he gets.” That doesn’t seem to bother Williams, who is doing what he can with every minute. “I just love to play ,” he said. “I love to play for Oakland and I love to play for coach Kampe. It’s nice to start as a freshman, because I still have three more years to play . If I go out there and score zero points or if I score 15 points, it doesn’t matter as long as we win.” Kampe said At a glance: Dante Williams Postion: Forward Height: 6-6 Weight: 171 Year: Freshman Hometown (High school): Ann Arbor (Huron) Major: Biology Parents: Roy and Terri Williams Thoughts on OU’s upcoming game with Michigan: “I’m from Ann Arbor, so I know it’s going to be huge. But we’ve just got to look at it as any other game.” Photo courtesy of Oakland University Athletics Former Huron standout Dante Williams attempts a free throw for Oakland University. As a freshman, Williams has already cracked the starting line- up for the D1 Golden Grizzlies.