University of Tennessee Athletics
Introducing Lady Vol Rookie Hoopster Kamiko Williams
November 05, 2009 | Women's Basketball
Nov. 5, 2009
By Kaleb Center
One of the newest Tennessee Lady Vols hopes her background playing basketball in Germany will translate into the physical style that distinguishes Southeastern Conference play. Kamiko Williams, a 5'11" freshman guard from Clarksville, Tenn., spent most of her youth overseas while her father, U.S. Master Sergeant Vincent Williams, was stationed in Germany.
"My dad always had me play with boys, up until I was a freshman in high school," said Williams.
In addition to battling with the boys, Williams' style of play was influenced early on by what she learned from playing a tough, physical brand of German basketball.
"German basketball is definitely different from American basketball - they're more physical. They get away with a lot more stuff. They get three steps instead of two. But playing up-tempo with Germans, then coming to America and playing up-tempo with Tennessee - they kind of play like German basketball does."
Kamiko came to Clarksville Northeast High School as a sophomore, where she played alongside current James Madison guard Dawn Evans for one year. In 2008-09, Evans was a nominee for the Nancy Lieberman award, presented to the nation's top college point guard.
In her sophomore season at Clarksville, Williams was a first-team All-State selection. Her AAU team was the Division I national runner-up. In addition, she helped her high school total 80 wins over three seasons.
Coming over to the states, Kamiko not only had to overcome the transition between cultures and styles of play, but she also had to learn a new position.
"When I was in Germany I played the point because I was the best ball player on my team. Then, when I went to Clarksville, they had Dawn Evans already. She was the point, so they moved me to the wing."
When asked about her role with the Lady Vols, Williams said, "probably either one or the two - I could go both ways, or maybe if [Coach Summitt] wants me to play the three, I can do that as well. I'm comfortable either way it goes - whatever coach wants me to do, I just know I can do it. I know how to score, and I know how to handle the ball, too."
Kamiko says her biggest challenge as an incoming Lady Vol will be getting back in peak physical condition.
"I was a little bit overwhelmed at first, because of the conditioning we had to do. In high school, I could walk up and down the court and score 20 points. At Tennessee, I have to sprint up and down the court every single possession. I'm going to have to bring my tempo back up."
She credits Heather Mason, the Lady Vols' Assistant Athletic Director for Strength and Conditioning, for helping her regain her conditioning.
For Williams, the long-time aspiration of becoming a Lady Vol is finally beginning to materialize.
"I've wanted to come to UT since I was nine. It's like a dream come true - sometimes I have to pinch myself, like, `Am I really here right now?' It's probably going to be the best four years of my life."
