OVC Basketball: Ranking of 25 best players from last decade (2013-23)

5. K. J. Williams

A 6’10 power forward from Cleveland, Mississippi, it was quite the collegiate career for Williams, who had his best days in the OVC. He was recruited to Murray State by Matt McMahon and would actually play his entire career with him, spending his fifth and final season at LSU this past year. Before then, Williams developed into a major frontcourt weapon in the OVC.

Each passing year saw Williams’ numbers and impact increase, becoming the full-time starter in the frontcourt at the beginning of his junior season. He scored 16 points in an NCAA Tournament upset of Marquette as a freshman and showed flashes of brilliance in the pandemic-shortened season. Williams averaged 15.6 points and 8.5 rebounds per game as a junior, though the Racers had a much better season the following year. He led Murray State back to the Big Dance, averaging 18.0 points and 8.4 rebounds while taking the Racers to a 31-3 mark and another first-round victory.

Williams got the First Team All-OVC nod in his final three seasons and was named OVC Player of the Year in his fourth and final season. He was part of two Murray State teams that had success in the NCAA Tournament and was a potent scorer, leading the OVC with 613 points as a senior. Williams was solid rebounder, efficient scorer, and did some outstanding work with the Racers before transferring to LSU.