For the majority of his career, Ohio State redshirt senior guard Kam Williams has been labeled as a catch-and-shoot threat from behind the three-point arc.
Williams is tired of that label.
Speaking at Big Ten Media Day in New York City on Thursday, Williams said he is out to prove that he can be more than just a spot-up shooter for the Buckeyes in 2017-18.
"I'm not just a shooter. I don't like being labeled as just that because I came here to do so much more," Williams said. "I'm just trying to show my entire offensive repertoire. Not getting outside of myself, but (working on) my on-ball defending, becoming a better rebounder, a better passer and driver and getting my teammates involved."
Williams connected on 37.6 percent of his three-point shots last season, a drop-off from his 43.7 percentage from the 2015-16 season, which led the team.
In order to expand his game, Williams said his first order of business is to limit his turnovers. While his minutes per game increased from 21.9 per game in 2015-16 to 30.7 last season, so did his turnovers.
"I'm not just a shooter. I don't like being labeled as just that because I came here to do so much more."– Kam Williams
The Maryland native doubled his turnovers from his sophomore to his junior campaign, committing 34 giveaways last season. With C.J. Jackson returning as Ohio State's lone true point guard, Jae'Sean Tate and Michigan transfer Andrew Dakich will be asked to play some point guard this season. Williams also spent time in the offseason working on his ball handling, and said he will be ready to step in if asked to dominate the ball more in 2017-18.
"Coach (Holtmann) doesn't like turnovers. He told us that the first day," Williams said. "I know the work I have put in at that position this summer, so if my number is ever called I feel confident to execute the position."
In addition to his talent on the floor, Williams is also expected to be a leader for Ohio State this season. A fifth-year senior, Williams is just one of three Buckeyes on the current roster to experience an NCAA Tournament win in a Scarlet and Gray uniform.
Ohio State has a unique mixture of players this season, comprised of seven first-year Buckeyes, three of which are true freshmen. Holtmann said Thursday he expects Williams, Tate and Keita Bates-Diop to be the leaders of his first team in Columbus.
"Those are guys that have been part of our program for a number of years," Holtmann said. "Coach Matta and his staff did an outstanding job recruiting impressive people, and I'm excited about this group, and I'm excited about the fact that those three are going to be leading this group."
Williams said during Big Ten Media Day that Holtmann gave him a vote of confidence, specifically on the offensive end, which has further motivated the fifth-year guard to play more aggressively with the ball in his hands in an effort to finish his Ohio State career on a high note.
"He told me, 'We want you to do what you do and score the basketball.' When I heard that, I didn't feel discouraged because he let me know what he wants from me and that is big because I have a clear sight of what I need to do when I am out there," Williams said.
