Stephen Weigh
July 23, 2020
Drew Williamson
- Nationality: AUS
- Date of Birth: 15/12/83
- Place of Birth: Thornleigh (NSW)
- Position: GRD
- Height (CM): 193
- Weight (KG): 91
- Junior Assoc: SA - Sturt
- College: Fordham (2002–2004) / MSU Denver (2004–2006)
- NBL DEBUT: 22/09/06
- AGE AT DEBUT: 22
- LAST NBL GAME: 24/04/12
- AGE AT LAST GAME: 28
- NBL History: Townsville 2007-08 | West Sydney 2009 | Perth 2010-12
- Championships: 1
- Perth (2010)
NICKNAME/S: The Sniper
BIO: Drew Williamson was born in Thornleigh (NSW) and began playing basketball as a junior with the Sturt basketball program.
NBL EXPERIENCE
Drew Williamson made his NBL debut with the Townsville Crocodiles at 22 years of age. He scored two points in his first game.
2006/07
Drew Williamson contributed across 35 games during the 2006/07 NBL season as part of Townsville’s second unit, offering defensive energy and perimeter support throughout the Crocodiles’ playoff campaign.
Robert Rose (to Cairns) and import Casey Calvary exited the roster prior to the season, with the team bringing in Daniel Egan (via Brisbane) and American import Jelani Gardner (via France).
Gardner (15.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 4.7 assists) was later released mid-season, and E.J. Rowland (12.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 2.0 steals) was signed to take over as the team’s import guard for the second half of the season.
Brad Newley (22.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.2 assists), Larry Abney (21.3 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 1.7 assists, and 1.2 steals), and John Rillie (19.1 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 4.8 assists) led a strong offensive core that powered the Crocodiles to a 19–14 record and a fifth-place finish on the NBL ladder. Additional contributors included Kelvin Robertson (10.2 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 2.5 assists), Daniel Egan (10.0 points, 4.8 rebounds), and Greg Vanderjagt (6.0 points, 5.5 rebounds). Michael Cedar also played a supporting role, averaging (4.3 points, 1.0 rebounds, and 0.5 assists). Williamson added (2.8 points, 1.4 rebounds, and 0.8 assists, 0.5 steals) per game and featured regularly as a defensive option on the perimeter.
Townsville’s playoff run opened with a 106–93 win over the Singapore Slingers. Larry Abney (30 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 steals), John Rillie (26 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists), Brad Newley (19 points, 3 rebounds, and 5 assists), and E.J. Rowland (13 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists) led the Crocodiles. Daniel Egan (14 points, 4 rebounds) contributed efficiently, while Williamson (0 points, 2 rebounds) played 16 minutes off the bench. Singapore were led by Mike Helms (20 points, 8 rebounds) and Ben Knight (21 points, 17 rebounds).
In the quarter-final against the Sydney Kings, Townsville were eliminated following a 122–89 defeat at the Sydney Entertainment Centre. Williamson (3 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 steal) provided valuable hustle in 23 minutes. The Kings were paced by Mark Worthington (28 points, 6 rebounds), B.J. Carter (20 points), and Russell Hinder (17 points, 6 rebounds). For Townsville, Kelvin Robertson (21 points) top scored, with support from E.J. Rowland (17 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 steals) and Abney (14 points, 7 rebounds).
Williamson’s ability to defend across multiple positions and contribute in short bursts helped fortify Townsville’s bench unit during a season that saw the club return to the playoffs and push into the quarter-finals.
2009/10
Williamson averaged 5.5 points and 1.9 rebounds during the 2009/10 season and helped guide the Wildcat’s to a first place finish (17-11) in the regular season. The Wildcats defeated the fourth placed Gold Coast Blaze in two straight games in the semifinals with Williamson playing minimal minutes, scoring a total of three points in the two game series. This sent the team into the NBL Grand Final to face the Wollongong Hawks.
Perth claimed game one comfortably with a 75–64 win at home with Williamson contributing four points. The series then moved to Wollongong for game two, where the Hawks returned the favour, defeating Perth 75–63 and setting up a deciding Game 3. Williamson saw ten minutes of action but failed to score. Back on their home court Perth comfortably defeated Wollongong in the decider, 96–72 despite Williamson struggling offensively, playing ten minutes but missing all four shot attempts. His Wildcats teammate Kevin Lisch was named Finals MVP after averaging 18 points and 4 rebounds over the three game series.
Drew Williamson played six seasons across three NBL teams. This included the Townsville Crocodiles, Sydney Spirit and Perth Wildcats. He averaged 4.8 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 0.7 assists in 190 NBL games.
NBL TOTAL STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011-12 | 28 | Perth | 19-9 (2) | 34 | 420.0 | 139 | 56 | 21 | 11 | 45 | 19 | 0 | 23 | 32 | 49 | 164 | 30% | 32 | 123 | 26% | 9 | 12 | 75% | 41% | 40% | 11 |
| 2010-11 | 27 | Perth | 16-12 (3) | 31 | 371.0 | 148 | 28 | 13 | 4 | 24 | 11 | 4 | 16 | 36 | 45 | 125 | 36% | 31 | 82 | 38% | 27 | 40 | 68% | 51% | 48% | 14 |
| 2009-10 | 26 | Perth | 17-11 (1) | 33 | 506.0 | 181 | 62 | 22 | 13 | 49 | 17 | 0 | 25 | 42 | 59 | 149 | 40% | 38 | 108 | 35% | 25 | 28 | 89% | 56% | 52% | 16 |
| 2008-09 | 25 | Sydney | 11-19 (8) | 30 | 688.0 | 226 | 63 | 48 | 11 | 52 | 29 | 3 | 47 | 50 | 74 | 206 | 36% | 41 | 122 | 34% | 37 | 45 | 82% | 50% | 46% | 13 |
| 2007-08 | 24 | Townsville | 17-13 (5) | 27 | 475.0 | 135 | 53 | 17 | 10 | 43 | 15 | 5 | 18 | 64 | 46 | 114 | 40% | 18 | 58 | 31% | 25 | 31 | 81% | 52% | 48% | 16 |
| 2006-07 | 23 | Townsville | 19-14 (5) | 35 | 429.0 | 99 | 48 | 29 | 12 | 36 | 19 | 1 | 20 | 59 | 31 | 95 | 33% | 16 | 50 | 32% | 21 | 26 | 81% | 46% | 41% | 13 | Totals | 190 | 2889 | 928 | 310 | 150 | 61 | 249 | 110 | 13 | 149 | 283 | 304 | 853 | 35.6% | 176 | 543 | 32.4% | 144 | 182 | 79.1% | 50% | 46% | 16 |
NBL PER GAME STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011-12 | 28 | Perth | 19-9 (2) | 34 | 12.4 | 4.1 | 1.6 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 1.3 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.9 | 1.4 | 4.8 | 30% | 0.9 | 3.6 | 26% | 0.3 | 0.4 | 75% | 41% | 40% | 11 |
| 2010-11 | 27 | Perth | 16-12 (3) | 31 | 12.0 | 4.8 | 0.9 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.5 | 1.2 | 1.5 | 4.0 | 36% | 1.0 | 2.6 | 38% | 0.9 | 1.3 | 68% | 51% | 48% | 14 |
| 2009-10 | 26 | Perth | 17-11 (1) | 33 | 15.3 | 5.5 | 1.9 | 0.7 | 0.4 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.8 | 1.3 | 1.8 | 4.5 | 40% | 1.2 | 3.3 | 35% | 0.8 | 0.8 | 89% | 56% | 52% | 16 |
| 2008-09 | 25 | Sydney | 11-19 (8) | 30 | 22.9 | 7.5 | 2.1 | 1.6 | 0.4 | 1.7 | 1.0 | 0.1 | 1.6 | 1.7 | 2.5 | 6.9 | 36% | 1.4 | 4.1 | 34% | 1.2 | 1.5 | 82% | 50% | 46% | 13 |
| 2007-08 | 24 | Townsville | 17-13 (5) | 27 | 17.6 | 5.0 | 2.0 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 1.6 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 0.7 | 2.4 | 1.7 | 4.2 | 40% | 0.7 | 2.1 | 31% | 0.9 | 1.1 | 81% | 52% | 48% | 16 |
| 2006-07 | 23 | Townsville | 19-14 (5) | 35 | 12.3 | 2.8 | 1.4 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.6 | 1.7 | 0.9 | 2.7 | 33% | 0.5 | 1.4 | 32% | 0.6 | 0.7 | 81% | 46% | 41% | 13 | Total | 190 | 15.2 | 4.9 | 1.6 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 1.3 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 0.8 | 1.5 | 1.6 | 4.5 | 35.6% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 32.4% | 0.9 | 2.9 | 79.1% | 50% | 46% | 16 |
CAREER HIGHS
| POINTS | REBOUNDS | ASSISTS | STEALS | BLOCKS | TURNOVERS | TRIPLE DOUBLES | 16 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 0 |
|---|
STATE LEAGUE EXPERIENCE
- Parramatta (2004), Mackay (2007), Hornsby (2008), Brisbane (2009–2010), East Perth (2011–2019)
Williamson joined Parramatta for the 2004 Waratah League season, playing a two-game state league stint with the Wildcats during the same year listed in his supplied career anchors.
Williamson joined Mackay for the 2007 QBL season, producing a 46-point opening-round game against Gladstone with nine three-pointers, 13 rebounds and seven steals, then finishing the season as the league steals leader at 3.9 steals per game.
Williamson joined Hornsby for the 2008 Waratah League season, averaging 18.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.3 blocks across 10 games with the Spiders.
Williamson joined Brisbane for the 2009 SEABL season, playing with the Spartans in a campaign that included an undefeated 14-game start before an overtime loss to Knox in which he had 18 points, three rebounds, three assists and five blocks.
Williamson remained with Brisbane for the 2010 SEABL season, averaging 16.3 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.9 assists across 26 games in his second season with the Spartans.
Williamson joined East Perth for the 2011 SBL season, averaging 25.9 points, 6.3 rebounds and 5.5 assists during the Eagles’ finals push, with East Perth winning 10 of the 13 games he played compared with five wins from the 13 games he missed.
Williamson continued with East Perth in the 2012 SBL season, forming part of the Eagles team that reached the club’s first men’s SBL Grand Final before losing 105–72 to Cockburn after finishing fourth with a 16–10 regular season record.
Williamson stayed with East Perth for the 2013 SBL season, returning as part of a senior group that included Jarrod Balcombe, Tom Jervis, Joe-Alan Tupaea, Nikola Donlagic, Austin Kisselev and John Taylor after the club’s 2012 Grand Final run.
Williamson captained East Perth in the 2014 SBL season, helping the Eagles win their first men’s SBL championship after finishing seventh at 14–12, beating Rockingham 2–1 in the quarter-finals, sweeping Perth in the semi-finals and defeating Geraldton 99–83 in the Grand Final, where he finished with 14 points and three rebounds.
Williamson continued with East Perth in the 2015 SBL season, extending the supplied Eagles run after the club’s championship season and remaining part of its senior core.
Williamson remained with East Perth for the 2016 SBL season, returning on the Eagles roster under Joe-Alan Tupaea with Sunday Dech, Brendan Dinardo, Brighton Pass, Rhys Vague, Nikola Donlagic, Andrej Donlagic and other retained players.
Williamson played again for East Perth in the 2017 SBL season, continuing as captain through the later stage of his Eagles career.
Williamson was still with East Perth in the 2018 SBL season, reaching 168 games for the club by July and remaining an All-Star-level veteran while helping lead a younger group that included Aiden Murphy, Andrej Donlagic and Jermaine Malie.
Williamson completed the supplied East Perth run in the 2019 SBL season, captaining the Eagles and producing late-career games that included 25 points and five rebounds against Willetton, 33 points, five rebounds and five assists against Kalamunda on 12-of-18 shooting and 7-of-11 from three-point range, and a final SBL career total of 199 games.
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
- New Zealand - Hawke’s Bay Hawks (2010), Wellington Saints (2011–2019)
Williamson joined the Hawke’s Bay Hawks for the 2010 New Zealand National Basketball League season, playing his first senior season in New Zealand.
Williamson moved to the Wellington Saints for the 2011 New Zealand National Basketball League season and established himself as a regular starter in the backcourt rotation. He remained with the Saints across multiple campaigns, helping the club secure NZNBL championships in 2013 and 2014 as part of a core group that consistently finished near the top of the standings.
He continued with the Saints during their dominant mid-decade stretch, contributing to further league titles in 2016 and 2017. In the 2016 season he was named NZNBL Finals MVP after leading Wellington to the championship, adding that honour within the same title run.
Williamson remained with Wellington through additional championship campaigns in 2018 and 2019, extending his tenure with the club to nearly a decade and maintaining his role as a primary perimeter scorer and playmaker during that period.
COLLEGE
Williamson played college basketball in the United States at Fordham during the 2002–03 season before continuing at Fordham in 2003–04, then transferring to MSU Denver, where he competed from 2004–05 to 2005–06.
Williamson’s pre-college background is tied to Barker College in Sydney, and at Fordham he was listed as being from Thornleigh, Australia.
Williamson suited up for Fordham during the 2002–03 season, a campaign that finished 2–26 with Bob Hill as head coach.
In that 2002–03 season, Williamson appeared in 28 games and started 15, averaging 6.4 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.4 steals in 24.9 minutes per game.
Fordham’s 2002–03 roster around him included Ryan Carr, Michael Haynes, Anthonique Wilson, Jermaine Anderson, Mark Jarrell-Wright, and John Blackgrove.
Williamson returned to Fordham for the 2003–04 season, when the Rams went 6–22 under head coach Dereck Whittenburg.
In that 2003–04 season, he played 25 games with 12 starts and averaged 6.0 points and 2.6 rebounds in 21.9 minutes per game, along with 1.3 assists per contest.
His Fordham season stat line included shooting 2.0 field goals made on 5.2 attempts per game (.382), hitting 1.1 three-pointers on 3.2 attempts per game (.346), and making 0.9 free throws on 1.1 attempts per game (.852).
In Fordham wins that season, his split line rose to 11.5 points in 26.8 minutes per game while shooting .560 from the field, .538 from three, and .917 at the foul line, alongside 2.0 assists per game.
In Fordham losses, he averaged 5.0 points in 21.0 minutes per game while shooting .340 from the field and .309 from three, with 1.2 assists per game.
Fordham teammates listed on the 2003–04 roster with Williamson included Ryan Carr, Michael Haynes, Miguel Perez, Jermaine Anderson, Mark Jarrell-Wright, John Blackgrove, Derrick Breland, Brandyn Cooper, Alessandro Acquaviva, Tom Tubridy, Dominic Osei, Mitar Zivanovic, and Mushon Ya’akosi.
Williamson then transferred to MSU Denver (Metro State) and entered the Roadrunners program under head coach Mike Dunlap.
MSU Denver’s 2004–05 season finished 29–4 overall and 16–3 in RMAC play, winning the RMAC East Division, the RMAC Tournament, and the NCAA North Central Region.
In that 2004–05 season, Williamson appeared in 33 games and averaged 4.5 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game.
MSU Denver’s 2004–05 roster listing alongside Williamson included Brian Barringer, Dustin Ballard, Andrew Harms, Keith Borgan, Michael Bahl, David Luedtke, Michael Morse, Greg Muth, Ryan Nickle, Ben Ortner, and Mark Worthington.
Williamson’s senior season at MSU Denver in 2005–06 ended with a 21–10 record and an NCAA Tournament appearance.
In 2005–06, he played 31 games and was named first-team All-RMAC after averaging 16.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 3.7 steals per game.
His defensive production in 2005–06 included 114 steals, a season total that sits at the top of the RMAC single-season steals listings (tied at 114).
Across his MSU Denver tenure (2004–06), he also appears in the program record book with a 119-for-141 free-throw line (84.4%).
A documented single-game free-throw mark tied to Williamson includes going 6-for-6 at the line against South Dakota on March 15, 2005.
Related
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