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2024-25 Roster |
2024-25 Schedule |
2024-25 Coaches |
2023-24 Statistics
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. – The Williams College men's basketball team embraces the daily process.
The Ephs' culture fosters an environment that encourages improving on a day-to-day basis and building team unity and accountability. The commitment to excellence and the attention to the small details have resulted in an abundance of success.
Since
Kevin App was appointed as head coach ahead of the 2014-15 season, the Ephs have compiled a cumulative record of 177-71, a 55-33 NESCAC mark, six NCAA Division III Tournament appearances, five 23-win seasons and four trips to the NESCAC Final.
"I am fortunate to be the one that gets to oversee this historic program," said App, who guided the Ephs to the NCAA Final Four in 2016-17 and a NESCAC Championship in 2017-18. "A winning culture and belief were created by those before us that we get to now embrace and follow. Our staff works to recruit talented student-athletes who appreciate attacking big goals, trust the culture and each other and selflessly sacrifice for the group, all while committing to the full Williams College experience."
Last season, the Ephs reached the NESCAC Final for the second time in the last three seasons and reached their third consecutive NCAA Tournament, advancing to the Sweet 16. The squad finished 23-7 overall and 9-1 in the NESCAC.
Williams begins the 2024-25 season with a 3 p.m. game at SUNY-Delhi on Saturday, Nov. 16. The Ephs' home opener will be against Castleton on Saturday, Nov. 23, at 3 p.m. The Ephs play 24 regular-season games, with 12 occurring at Chandler Gymnasium and 10 being NESCAC games.
The top-eight teams make the conference playoffs. The NESCAC Quarterfinals take place on Feb. 22, and then the semifinal and final rounds are on March 1 and 2, respectively. The NCAA First and Second Round take place on March 7-8, the Sweet 16 and the Elite Eight are March 14-15 and the Final Four is March 20-22. Williams held a dominant home-court advantage, going, 13-1, at Chandler in 2023-24.
"Chandler is electric," said junior
Hudson Hansen. "It is surreal to see the entire community come out to support us, with families and students filling the gym. The student section brings the energy. I will never forget the 'White Out' game against Amherst in the NESCAC Semifinals last year. It was standing room only and it felt like the crowd was the sixth player on the court."
Williams graduated a tremendous senior class last year in
Nate Karren,
Cole Prowitt-Smith,
Dan Lee,
Brandon Arnold and
Alex Stoddard. Karren was named to the D3hoops.com All-Region Second Team and NESCAC All-Conference First Team. During a 55-54 comeback victory over No. 4 Trinity on Feb. 2, Karren hit two 3-pointers in the final 43 seconds. The latter was the game-winner with two seconds remaining, as the Ephs overcame a six-point deficit in the final 56 seconds.
Prowitt-Smith ranked second in the NESCAC in free-throw percentage (86.4). The versatile guard scored in double figures 15 times and grabbed 10 or more rebounds on three occasions. During a 79-77 win over No. 9 Oswego State in the NCAA Second Round, he connected on the game-winning layup with seven seconds remaining.
Stoddard drained 45 treys, including making three or more six times. Arnold pulled down a career-high 12 rebounds in a 56-41 triumph over MCLA on Nov. 21.
Dan Lee finished with six points and four boards in a 76-65 victory over Wesleyan on Feb. 3.
"Last season's seniors were a terrific blend of leaders, student-athletes and young men," said App. "They left their mark and demonstrated the success that follows when people care about one another and commit to making those around them better. I miss their personalities, but know that our 2024-25 group is excited to find our own identity and path."
The Ephs have 11 returners in seniors
Noah Dinkins,
Brandon Roughley,
Declan Porter and
Evan Glatzer, juniors
Sammy Cooley,
Alex Lee,
Isiaha Dickens,
Ben McGraw and Hansen and sophomores
Matt DeVine and
Tyler Van Gorp. Williams welcomes junior
Onyeraluobu Chibuogwu and first years
Justin Belcher,
Aidan Yates,
Matthew Nachamkin,
Jackson Rein and
Dylan Shepherd.
The 2023-24 Ephs utilized a balanced attack with four student-athletes averaging between 10-11 points. Roughley averaged 10.3 points and scored in double figures 18 times.
Alex Lee led the team in points per game (11.0) and Dinkins erupted with a career-high 23 points at Amherst on Jan. 17.
Cooley scored in double figures twice and Dickens finished with three points and four boards during a 73-53 win over SUNY Cobleskill on Jan. 23. Hansen dropped a career-best 19 points, going 5 for 5 from the field and 9 of 9 from the line, during a 91-82 win at Middlebury on Jan. 20.
McGraw went 5 for 5 on treys for a career-high 15 points during a 66-58 win over St. Lawrence on Nov. 18, and then finished 5 of 8 from distance for 15 points during a 70-65 triumph over Oneonta on Dec. 5. DeVine posted four points and three boards against UC Santa Cruz on Dec. 30 and Van Gorp tallied two points and four rebounds in a 68-43 victory over Bowdoin on Jan. 13.
Porter and Glatzer were injured most of last season. In 2022-23, Porter averaged 11.9 points and hit five or more 3-point shots six times, while Glatzer scored in double figures five times. App will be supported by second-year assistant coach
Tom Doran and first-year assistant
Trey Livingston. Roughley, Glatzer and Dinkins are captains.
"The approach will be similar to what it has been for previous seasons, getting better each day and leading by example," said Roughley. "Our team motto for the season is 'step by step' because we know how important it is to focus on building from the previous day. If we have this mindset throughout the year, this group can do some special things."
App measures success based on the holistic student-athlete experience.
"If the team keeps improving throughout the year and creates lifelong memories and relationships, it is difficult to not call it a successful season," said App. "Results typically come down to discovering the best identity for the group, and then quickly getting everyone to embrace that identity, be confident in it and buy into their roles. We have a group of young men that will support each other and work hard to become the best group we can be this season and they are confident in the results that will come from that."
