On the latest episode of the Rex Chapman Show with Josh Hopkins,
the guys are joined by Naismith Hall of Famer and former Maryland
Coach Gary Williams. It's been 20 years since the 2002
National Championship, and looking back on his success on the
sidelines, the guys ask Gary about what it took for him
to reach that pinnacle, with stories along the way. 11:00 -
Following the passing of Bill Russell, Gary touches on
what made him special both on and off the court. 13:10
- Gary will always remember the impact Bill Russell
made in advancing civil rights, and defending Muhammad Ali when
everyone else wanted the champ in jail. 16:45
- Gary recalls the first time he spoke to Bill Russell as
a "young man", and the piece of rebounding advice that to this day
he never forgot. 18:30 - When did Gary realize he was
going to be a basketball lifer? Even when Billy Cunningham may have
put an end to his dreams of being an NBA player, there was always
coaching. 24:30 - Rex remembers moving to DC to play with the
Bullets and moving in next door to Gary Williams. At the
time, Gary said the only job he would have left Ohio
State was to return to his alma mater, even with the
probation. 29:30 - A decade later, Gary had Maryland in
back to back Final Fours, including the 2002 National Championship.
What was it about building those teams that made an NCAA Title
possible? 36:00 - Gary describes Steve Francis arriving
on campus. How soon from when he got there,
did Gary realize how special he was? 40:30 - While
recruiting Kevin Durant, there was another player that
caught Gary Williams' attention. What was it about
Greivis Vasquez that made him become one of the best Maryland
players of all time? 42:00 - There was no one more impactful for
Maryland than Juan Dixon. Gary talks about the fight and
passion he played with in games, and in practice, that laid the
foundation for the National Championship run. 48:30
- Gary looks back on Mike Krzyzewski's career and says
there is no Duke program without his accomplishments. 52:00 - How
Name, Image and Likeness has changed the landscape of college
athletics, and Gary can recall 35 years ago trying to
make inroads to allow more incentive for players to play for the
NCAA. 57:00 - While he's retired, Gary is still thinking
about how the game has evolved, and some changes he'd like to curb
to see more fundamentals and less 3-pointers. Learn more about your
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