Lydia Strong--SMC Sports Information Director

April 28, 2015

SMC Men's Basketball All Conference Player Admassu Williams speaks about his basketball career at Santa Monica College and his scholarship to Prairie View:

How do you feel about earning a full scholarship to Prairie View A&M? 

"I feel very blessed. I have prayed and put in the time and effort necessary to become successful at this sport. I feel everything is paying off."

What was your SMC experience like both basketball and school wise 

"At first I came to SMC thinking that I wanted to get in and get out. Solely to go here for Basketball, but the more time I spent here, the more I fell in love with the SMC community. I joined clubs, I made plenty of friends, and I took pride in my schoolwork. All in the same breath I would go to practice every day to get tougher and better. I am glad I came to SMC, this was a great experience."

How many other schools were recruiting you? 

"Once I got the offer from Prairie View my recruitment really blew up. Both my coach and my phone start ringing like crazy! It was a wonderful feeling knowing people want me to play at their school. About 15 schools were recruiting me."

What are your thoughts about this past season with the SMC Men's BB team? 

"I felt we were extremely talented. We became a lot closer as the year went on. Many people on the team wanted to get out in one year, wanted to get better, wanted to grow as players. To achieve those things my teammates all have to do different things, but one thing that we all needed to do was win.  We are a team now and forever and I nor anyone else on the team could do anything without each other."

How do your parents feel about you earning the scholarship? 

"My parents are very proud of me. Both my mom and my dad both play a big part in my life. My mom being the anchor of all my education goods, and my dad being the voice I talk to about how I should critique something on the court. Both are supportive of everything I do and have sculpted the person I came to be. They're so happy that my work is paying off."

How have your teammates responded to your scholarship? 

"They're all very proud of me and happy for me. I hear them congratulating me almost every day and they genuinely want me to succeed. There's no way I would be in my situation without my teammates. They still help me out even after the season. Jerry, Ronnie, and Damon are my fellow sophomores and have been with me since my start at SMC. I feel we know each other the most and they've helped me through every step of the way. I feel like my whole team is my other family, whatever happens we'll always be family."

What did the coaches at Prairie View say to you to make you feel their school was the right fit for you? 

"I want to be the best I can be at basketball! I know I have a lot of work and I can't wait to get better. The basketball team at Prairie View has great coaches and one of them has even trained NBA players. I am very excited to work with them."

You had a tough decision as you have also been accepted at UCLA…….how did decide which school to go to?

"UCLA has always been my dream school. Playing basketball in the pros is also a big dream of mine. After weighing all the pros and cons I am leaning towards taking the full scholarship at Prairie view A&M. I know academically UCLA is one of the best but Prairie Vew will definitely develop me as a better player and a better person! I can always go back to school for my Masters Degree. I may never have an opportunity like this again. Can't pass this up!"

What would you tell any high school student athlete about coming to a JC before heading to a four year?

"It's the best place to develop and explode when you go to the next level! "What you put in is what you're gonna get out it."