Tarvis Williams
Encyclopedia
Tarvis Devar Williams is an American professional basketball player for BC Prievidza in Slovakia
. He is best known, however, for making the game-winning shot with 6.9 seconds left that propelled 15th-seeded Hampton past 2nd-seeded Iowa State
, 58–57, in the first round of the 2001 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
. It was only the fourth time since 1985 that a #15 defeated a #2 seed. Williams was also a two-time NCAA season blocks champion in 1998–99
and 2000–01
.
. He attended White Oak High School in Jacksonville, North Carolina
, where he graduated in 1996.
in Hampton, Virginia
from 1997–98 to 2000–01. He played in 114 games and averaged 15.4 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.8 blocks per game for his career. As a sophomore
in 1998–99 he led the nation in blocks per game with 5.00. He repeated the achievement two years later as a senior
when he averaged 4.59 per game. He was only the second player in NCAA Division I history to lead the country in blocks for two seasons since the statistic became official in 1985–86 (Hall of Famer David Robinson
was the first, who accomplished the feat in 1986 and 1987.) For his career, Williams blocked 452 shots, which through the 2009–10 season
ranked sixth-most in Division I history. In the 2000 and 2001 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference
(MEAC) Tournaments, Williams was selected to the All-Tournament team and named the MVP in 2001. After his final collegiate season he was selected to play in the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament
to try and impress NBA scouts, but his sub-par performance resulted in not being chosen in the 2001 NBA Draft
. Williams finished his career at Hampton with 1,754 points and owns school records in every single blocked shot category: single game (12), single season (147), career, season average (4.59 bpg), and career average (3.8 bpg).
, playing for 11 different teams in seven countries. His most successful season to date was in 2004–05 while playing for BK Děčín in the Czech Republic
's National Basketball League
. In 37 games, Williams averaged 16.4 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game. He was third in the league in rebounding average while also tops in blocks.
Slovakia
The Slovak Republic is a landlocked state in Central Europe. It has a population of over five million and an area of about . Slovakia is bordered by the Czech Republic and Austria to the west, Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east and Hungary to the south...
. He is best known, however, for making the game-winning shot with 6.9 seconds left that propelled 15th-seeded Hampton past 2nd-seeded Iowa State
Iowa State Cyclones men's basketball
The Iowa State Cyclones men's basketball team represents Iowa State University and competes in the Big 12 Conference of NCAA Division I.-Johnny Orr era :...
, 58–57, in the first round of the 2001 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
2001 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The 2001 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 65 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball. It began on March 13, 2001 with the play-in game, and ended with the championship game on April 2 in...
. It was only the fourth time since 1985 that a #15 defeated a #2 seed. Williams was also a two-time NCAA season blocks champion in 1998–99
1998–99 NCAA Division I men's basketball season
The 1998–99 NCAA Division I men's basketball season concluded in the 64-team 1999 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament whose finals were held at Tropicana Field in . The Connecticut Huskies earned their first national championship by defeating the Duke Blue Devils 77–74 on March 29, 1999...
and 2000–01
2000–01 NCAA Division I men's basketball season
The 2000–01 NCAA Division I men's basketball season began on November 8, 2000, progressed through the regular season and conference tournaments, and concluded with the 2001 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament Championship Game on April 2, 2001 at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in...
.
Early life
Williams was born in Maysville, North CarolinaMaysville, North Carolina
Maysville is a town in Jones County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 959 in 2008. It is part of the New Bern, North Carolina Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Maysville is located at ....
. He attended White Oak High School in Jacksonville, North Carolina
Jacksonville, North Carolina
Jacksonville, North Carolina, is a city in Onslow County, North Carolina, United States. As of the 2010 United States census, the population stood at 70,145, which makes Jacksonville the 14th largest city in North Carolina...
, where he graduated in 1996.
College
Tarvis Williams played college basketball at Hampton UniversityHampton University
Hampton University is a historically black university located in Hampton, Virginia, United States. It was founded by black and white leaders of the American Missionary Association after the American Civil War to provide education to freedmen.-History:...
in Hampton, Virginia
Hampton, Virginia
Hampton is an independent city that is not part of any county in Southeast Virginia. Its population is 137,436. As one of the seven major cities that compose the Hampton Roads metropolitan area, it is on the southeastern end of the Virginia Peninsula. Located on the Hampton Roads Beltway, it hosts...
from 1997–98 to 2000–01. He played in 114 games and averaged 15.4 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.8 blocks per game for his career. As a sophomore
Sophomore
Sophomore is a term used in the United States to describe a student in the second year of study at high school or university.The word is also used as a synonym for "second", for the second album or EP released by a musician or group, the second movie of a director, or the second season of a...
in 1998–99 he led the nation in blocks per game with 5.00. He repeated the achievement two years later as a senior
Senior (education)
Senior is a term used in the United States to describe a student in the 4th year of study .-High school:...
when he averaged 4.59 per game. He was only the second player in NCAA Division I history to lead the country in blocks for two seasons since the statistic became official in 1985–86 (Hall of Famer David Robinson
David Robinson (basketball)
David Maurice Robinson is a retired American NBA basketball player, who played center for the San Antonio Spurs for his entire NBA career. Based on his prior service as an officer in the United States Navy, Robinson earned the nickname "The Admiral". He and teammate power forward Tim Duncan were...
was the first, who accomplished the feat in 1986 and 1987.) For his career, Williams blocked 452 shots, which through the 2009–10 season
2009–10 NCAA Division I men's basketball season
The 2009–10 NCAA Division I men's basketball season began on November 9, 2009, and ended with the 2010 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament's championship game on April 5, 2010 on the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The opening round occurred on Tuesday, March 16, 2010, followed by first...
ranked sixth-most in Division I history. In the 2000 and 2001 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference
Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference
The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference is a collegiate athletic conference of historically black colleges and universities in the Southeastern United States...
(MEAC) Tournaments, Williams was selected to the All-Tournament team and named the MVP in 2001. After his final collegiate season he was selected to play in the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament
Portsmouth Invitational Tournament
The Portsmouth Invitational Tournament, or "PIT", is the United States' oldest amateur basketball tournament and the only postseason camp conducted for the top NCAA seniors only....
to try and impress NBA scouts, but his sub-par performance resulted in not being chosen in the 2001 NBA Draft
2001 NBA Draft
The 2001 NBA Draft took place on June 27, 2001 in New York City, New York. Kwame Brown became the first high school player drafted with the first overall pick...
. Williams finished his career at Hampton with 1,754 points and owns school records in every single blocked shot category: single game (12), single season (147), career, season average (4.59 bpg), and career average (3.8 bpg).
Professional
After being passed up by NBA teams, Williams left the United States to play professional basketball. Since his career began in 2001 he has been a journeymanJourneyman (sports)
A journeyman or journeywoman is an athlete or professional sports player who is technically competent, but unable to excel. In certain parts of the world the term has less negative connotations and the inability to excel is not needed for a player to be labelled thus.-Definitions:Alexandra Allred...
, playing for 11 different teams in seven countries. His most successful season to date was in 2004–05 while playing for BK Děčín in the Czech Republic
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
's National Basketball League
National Basketball League (Czech Republic)
The Czech Republic National Basketball League , also called the Mattoni NBL for sponsorship reasons, is the top level professional basketball league in the Czech Republic. The league operates under a promotion and relegation system. The bottom two NBL teams from each season's standings are...
. In 37 games, Williams averaged 16.4 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game. He was third in the league in rebounding average while also tops in blocks.