From Augusta to Europe and Back: Williams' Basketball Odyssey
Since departing Augusta University in 2019, Deane Williams has pursued a professional basketball career across six European countries.
A decade ago, the Bath-born athlete was completing his freshman year at Augusta University, aspiring to become a professional basketball player.
After four years in Georgia, Williams embarked on an international career, playing in Iceland, France, Germany, Italy, and Poland before returning to the UK.
Now 29, Williams is on the verge of completing his first season with the London Lions, aiming to secure a domestic quadruple.
"It's been fantastic," Williams told . "Just being able to have such a great season in front of friends and family, alongside great team-mates, great coaching staff - it's just been an absolute joy. "We've done a three-peat so far, so it's been an extremely successful season, we're looking to finish strong on Sunday."
The London Lions clinched the Super League Basketball Championship title, winning 26 of 32 regular-season games and finishing 12 points ahead of their rivals.
In February, the Lions secured the SLB Trophy by defeating Newcastle Eagles 74-68 in the final.
A month later, they added the SLB Cup to their achievements with an 83-74 victory over Manchester Basketball.
With the league title already secured, the post-season playoffs culminate at the O2 Arena on Sunday, where the Lions will face Cheshire Phoenix, the league runners-up, aiming for a clean sweep of domestic trophies.
From Bath to London, via Augusta, Keflavik, and Naples
While the distance from Bath to London is approximately 115 miles, Williams' journey has spanned over 10,000 miles, encompassing his studies in America and professional stints across Europe.
Like many British basketball players, Williams moved to the United States as a teenager to attend Augusta University, a city renowned for its sporting heritage, primarily golf.
His move was driven by the structure of British domestic basketball and the opportunity of a college scholarship rather than personal preference.
"If it was up to me, I would have played in the UK for as long as I could," Williams said. "Nobody really wants to have to flock the nest to try and make a living, when they can do it at home just as good."
Being back in the UK permanently for the first time since college has allowed Williams to participate in significant life events previously missed due to his overseas commitments.
"You don't have to miss all the birthdays, you don't have to miss weddings, you don't have to miss funerals, all of these sort of occasions that you miss out on," he added. "[Now], you can be there because you're already at home."
Success Across Europe
Despite years away from home, Williams has achieved notable success throughout Europe.
He was named foreign player of the year in Iceland's top league during his second season with Keflavik, immediately after graduating from college, where he was co-Player of the Year in the Peach Belt Conference.
In 2023, Williams won the Champions League with German team Telekom Baskets Bonn during his only season there. His European career also includes tenures with Saint-Quentin, Baskets Oldenburg, Napoli Basket, MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg, and most recently, Anwil Wloclawek.
"It's hard finishing college and, if basketball was what you want to pursue as a British player, you're not going to look at the British league and [say], 'that's where I want to go to try and build my legacy'," Williams explained. "You've got to do it kind of in reverse order. But I really do wish and hope that in the future this is somewhere that guys can look and think 'the British League is a respected league, it's somewhere I can make a name for myself'."
A Changing Landscape for British Basketball
Williams expressed that representing Great Britain at a major tournament in the future would be "absolutely amazing."
He has made a significant impact in his debut season with the London Lions, coached by Tautvydas Sabonis, who comes from a notable basketball family.
Williams has made the second-most appearances for the Lions this season across domestic competitions and earned selections to both the SLB Team of the Year and Defensive Team of the Year.
He also debuted for Great Britain earlier this year, earning two caps.
Looking ahead, Williams aims to elevate the quality of basketball in Britain so that future players can achieve success domestically without needing to move abroad.
"I think it's just to continue to not only inspire the youth but inspire those that don't see maybe a long-term goal within British basketball," Williams said. "It's not only us as players, but us as an organisation are trying to push the boundaries to show that we are capable of doing great things on the international stage. With that comes growing the game in our country, so that the younger generation can aspire to play it and they don't have to leave home. "I'm not trying to say in a big-headed way like 'we're the best' but we're trying to be the best. Not for us, but for everyone."
Super League Basketball play-off finals on BBC - how to follow
