By Carson Vercoe | Sports Writer
For some college athletes, the offseason brings uncertainty. The transfer portal has let athletes find new homes and opportunities, making it tough to decide where to go next.
But for junior guard Isaac Williams, there was never any uncertainty about where he was going.
After a successful first season at Baylor, Williams never doubted he would remain a Bear. Established relationships, experience and the chance to do something special with Baylor were enough to bring him back.
“For me, it was really a no-brainer,” Williams said. “I had no doubt that I wasn’t going to be a Baylor Bear.”
Williams enters the new season with a year of experience under his belt. Williams averaged 10.4 points and 3.3 assists per game, improving with each game.
He came to Waco behind a pair of experienced guards in Dan Skillings Jr. and Obi Agbim. He started last season fighting to see 20 minutes of playing time but found himself breaking 30 minutes in seven of Baylor’s last 11 games.
He now looks to take his experience to the next level.
“Just building on my confidence out there, being more of a leader because I have been here a year,” Williams said. “Just leading these guys, knowing the dos and don’ts.”
Williams’ veteran experience could prove to be useful for a team with seven new transfers. Since arriving in Waco, Williams has noticed a common theme among the transfers: a craving for winning.
“They’re hungry,” Williams said. “They want to win. We compete out there. It gets physical.”
The competitiveness in practice is an encouraging sign of what the team could become. Williams and his teammates will need to build chemistry and an identity as they enter the season.
The new team had the opportunity to showcase their competitive spirit in the annual Vet Scrimmage, facing off against former Baylor players like VJ Edgecombe and Keyonte George.
The Bears will benefit from Williams’s return and the return of familiar teammates. Williams expressed his eagerness to play with fifth-year center Caden Powell and senior center Juslin Bodo Bodo, who redshirted.
Williams has a chance to build on last year’s chemistry while commanding the offense with a healthy front court.
“I’m excited to see some people play that I didn’t really get to see play because they were hurt last year,” Williams said. “And obviously, Caden Powell is a great leader for our team, so I’m excited.”
The Bears will also have more depth at guard, with Williams and several transfers in the rotation. Williams said he trusts the talent on the floor and could be key to Baylor’s success.
“Isaac and Kayden [Mingo] have really stepped up as the true point guards,” sophomore guard Drew Perry said. “It’s been a leadership by community because we’re so deep.”
The all-in mentality could be a defining factor for Baylor as it looks to improve on last season. It struggled to work past its lack of depth with a seven-man rotation.
With veterans like Williams, new players and rotational depth, Baylor can make a leap from last season.
For Williams, becoming a dependable leader and helping his teammates adjust to life in Waco remain at the forefront of his goals.
The team’s goals with Williams at the helm remain high even for freshman guard Dylan Mingo.
“Obviously, win the Big 12,” Mingo said “Win the national championship is just the main goal. We just got to keep trusting and just keep working as a team.”
Williams’ reluctance to leave the Bears may have been a no-brainer, but the season ahead will prove what the Bears can be. Whatever the season holds for the new roster, Williams is ready to lead every step of the way.
