Q&A with junior guard Paul Williams

Skittles part of pregame routine

I caught up with Paul Williams, UD’s sharp-shooting junior guard from Detroit, for the WHIO Bud Light Pregame Show’s “Flyer Fastbreak” segment. Here are some highlights of the interview:

Full name: Paul Anthony Williams

Tell us about your hometown: "Detroit, Michigan, city of Motown! Lots of great singers, great people came from there. It can be a little rough down there, but certain areas are good. So don't always think Detroit is bad!"

Who's in your family? "I got five brothers and one sister. Her name is Bernice, but we call her "Idaho" like the potato. My brother, Bryant, is the older one and the bigger one. Johnny is kind of big, too. He's second, then me. I have a younger brother, Damian, who plays JV in high school, then Dwayne, who just goes to school. The youngest is Rodney, who doesn't talk much."

What's your major? "I'm majoring in criminal justice. So maybe in 20 years after my basketball career is over, I'll figure out what I want to do with it! Or I might like to work in an NBA front office."

So, you don't want to have a CSI-type career? "Nah. I've been watching shows like the 'First 48!' That stuff is crazy and dangerous. Anything with dead bodies and crimes, I don't think I could do that. But I did put some thought in it, though. I might just want to join a sniper unit and go around shooting bad people (smiles broadly)."

Nicknames: "P-Dub, P-Mac, P-diddy. There's lots of other names they've given me I can't really tell you!"

Why are you No. 22? "I like Michael Redd (Milwaukee Bucks). I was gonna get No. 1, but London (Warren) had it, because Tracy McGrady is my favorite player. So, I took 22 because Michael Redd is my second favorite."

How many tattoos do you have? "I have two tattoos of clowns. I loved clowns when I was little and was never scared of them."

How do you prepare for a game? "I come in, stretch for a second, go sit in the hot tub for a few minutes, usually eat some Skittles. I hope the boss man doesn't hear that (starts giggling)! Then I get changed, go down and shoot with the team."

What does being a Dayton Flyer mean to you? "There's a lot of great pride in being here. There's so many great people who've played before and support us. I'm happy to be able to go out and play in front of them to keep the Dayton tradition going."

What would you like to say to the Flyer Faithful? "Just keep supporting us! Don't ever give up on us, 'cause we won't give up on you!"

When you get to heaven, what would you like God to say? "You gave it your best. That's all I want to hear."

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