Kentucky Basketball freshman guard Mason Williams is already finding ways to improve his game, and he is doing so by paying close attention to the veterans around him.
Following Kentucky’s 69-49 exhibition victory over Little Rock on Friday night, Williams discussed how watching experienced teammates such as Milan Momcilovic, Zoom Diallo and Alex Wilkins has helped him adjust to the college level.
Williams has been drawing praise from the coaching staff and his teammates throughout the summer. While his performance against Little Rock showed plenty of promise, the freshman understands that developing into a consistent contributor requires more than just performing on game night.
He is learning by observing how Kentucky’s veterans prepare, practice, and approach the game.
“It has done a lot for me, I would say, just by watching guys and seeing when they come into the gym,” Williams said. “Like, Milan (Momcilovic) was up here. I’m glad he’s not here so he doesn’t hear me say this, but I know when he gets to the gym. I know every Sunday night he is at the gym. I know when he leaves, whenever he gets to the gym before practice.”
Williams also pays attention to how Momcilovic approaches the game and communicates with his teammates, even asking the forward questions during halftime.
“I pay attention to when he speaks, how he feels. Like, coming into halftime, I asked him, ‘How do you feel? Like, what are you thinking?’ Just to know what it is and just paying attention to a guy who was in the draft process, and he is probably going to be in it again,” Williams said.
The freshman also mentioned Diallo and Wilkins as players he watches closely, emphasizing the importance of learning from their routines and staying coachable.
“Just paying attention and soaking everything up and being coachable,” Williams said.
That approach has not gone unnoticed. Momcilovic, one of Kentucky’s key veteran players, praised Williams’ maturity, work ethic, and poise despite his limited college experience.
“For a guard, not really, but I think he was the first guy that I noticed when I came here. He is really poised,” Momcilovic said. “He plays the game the right way. He does everything the right way. He is the hardest worker on the team, and you can just tell the way he goes about his business is mature, and you don’t really see that as a freshman. It wasn’t too bright of a moment for him today.”
With Kentucky relying on its new-look backcourt to establish consistency this season, Williams’ willingness to learn from experienced teammates could be an important factor in his development and could help the team in the long run.