Cobe Williams (183-PG-2000, college: Tulsa) is a 23 year old 183cm point guard from Dallas, Texas playing his rookie season over seas with Spirou Basket Charleroi (Belgium-Pro Basketball League). He began his basketball career at Kimball high school. He then played at Louisiana Tech University (NCAA) from 2019-2023 playing a total of 116 games. In his last season there he averaged : 18.9ppg, 3.5rpg, 4.1apg, 1.9spg, FGP: 52.7%, 3PT: 33.9%, FT: 80.5%. He added a extra season at The University of Tulsa (NCAA) where he averaged 13.1ppg, 3.4rpg, 3.5apg, 2.1spg, FGP: 46.0%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 75.7%. He spoke to germanhoops.com before a Fiba Europe Cup game against the MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg.

Thanks Cobe for talking to germanhoops.com. Your playing your rookie season overseas with Spirou Basket Charleroi (Belgium-Pro Basketball League). How blessed do you feel being able to play the game you love and see new countries in Europe?

Honestly I cannot explain how much of a blessing it is to be in this situation for my first year being a pro. I think it’s so amazing that I am able to be blessed with good health to get a check to play a game I’ve been playing my whole life so far. Not only playing in Belgium, but being able to play in the Fiba Europe cup and getting to visit many beautiful countries all in year one. I just want to give all thanks to God.

You seem to care very much about your outer appearance. I saw a pic of you with red hair. Jeremy Sochan of the Spurs has liked changing his hair color as well. Do you feel like this could become a bigger trend down the road?

? For me this won’t become a trend of me changing my hair. I’ve been having it red since 2016 (8 years ago) and I haven’t thought about changing the color. “Cobe with the red dreads,” It has almost just became how people identify me. One day there will be no hair at all, but I’m not sure when I’ll be ready to make that decision.

What has it been like playing for historic team Spirou Basket Charleroi (Belgium-Pro Basketball League) ? They last won a title 13 years ago? Do you feel that intense hunger within the organization to win again?

It has been a special experience playing for Spirou basket. It’s so fun because the team is very young with me being the 3rd oldest at 24 years old. A very immature personality acting team, but everyone has that hunger of winning every time we step onto the court doesn’t matter the opponent and that drive to get better everyday to reach our goals to go far as possible.

The team has many nationalities and you are the lone American. Has it been a strange feeling being the lone American?

Even though I am the only American on the team I thought it would feel strange, but my teammates never gave me the opportunity to feel alone. Since day one they accepted me in and included me in with whatever it is. Everyone has that immature goofy personality so everyday there’s non stop laughing and bonding moments.

It seems like head coach Sam Rotsaert has given you the keys to the team. What exactly is your role on the team?

Yes, Coach Sam puts a lot of trust into me. My roll on this team is to do a little/a lot of everything if that makes sense. I am the point guard, with that alone comes with a lot of responsibilities. Control the tempo of the game, score the ball, make others better, set the intensity on defense and just bring positive energy everyday.

You have needed no adjustment time putting up good stats in 2 competitions. What has been your secret to having been able to step up so well?

I believe highly of myself, this is what I do and always have done at any level that I’ve ever played on. A lot of prayer to stay healthy, preparation to make sure I stay consistent and just never lose confidence in myself. I understand that I am not only playing for myself, I have to be on point every match to better help the organization as a whole and my family as well. Again, all thanks and glory to the man above.

What was your wake up call to being a rookie overseas where you knew that you were far away from home?

My wake up call knowing that I was far away from home was just going to the grocery store alone for the first time and being so confused. Everything is just so different and I couldn’t call back home for help on what to get. That was my third day being there; I got the hang of it now though.

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 183cm guard. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the description?

In the past I would say Russell Westbrook and Davion Mitchell defensively. Now I would say like a Jru Holiday type of guard that plays with speed. I feel we are both solidly gifted on both ends of the court to compete at a high level every night. Not super skilled at just one thing, but every part of skills in a game is on full display.

Is it fair to say that you’re a scoring point guard? You have never averaged more than 4,0apg in a season. Is playmaking something you feel will grow in Europe as team basketball is a big focus?

I still never considered myself as a scoring guard, but I can score at a high level every time if that’s what my team needs. I can also be a play maker and find people to be successful on the court if that’s what’s needed as well. I watch a lot of high level Europe basketball games and I do feel the higher levels of Europe basketball I reach the more I will transition to be more of a playmaker.

Your three pointer is still a work in progress. Is it more just repetition or shot selection that will help your shot become more consistent overseas?

It will be both. I have to keep getting up the reps everyday and get that muscle memory to shoot it the same way every shot. Also shot selections as well. I can shoot really good catch and shoot, but most of my shots have to be off the dribble this season and that’s when I can be off balance. The more reps, shot selection and confidence will help. I’m confident that it will get to where it needs to be soon.

You’re also a very talented defender. Talk a little about your defensive game coming overseas. Where do you want to take your defensive game in the next years?

I take pride in defending the ball, I don’t like to be scored on or really just even beat off the dribble. Not even just having a lot of steals, but just playing good solid defense where my opponents are never comfortable. I have to get more stronger physically and my off ball defense can get a whole lot better. In the next years I want to win multiple defensive awards.

On what areas of your game are you working on most now so you can continue to improve your game?

The areas that I have been working on the most is just having patience, learning to control my own speed. When to turn it on and when to slow down. I have really improved at this.

How vital were head coaches Eric Konkol and Talvin Hester for your early basketball development at Louisiana Tech. You made big jumps in your game season by season.

Eric Konkol is one of the best coaches I have ever had on and off the court. Putting my trust into his visions has really help me become the person and player I am today. I owe big thanks to him and forever grateful to have had him as my coach. He helped me understand that there’s steps to becoming what I am today. Big thanks to Talvin Hester, he recruited me to Louisiana Tech as a freshman.

You reached the NIT Final 4 in 2021. What memories do you have of that run? You got third place after a huge 76-74 win over Colorado State.

That NIT run was a good year, but also was hard and filled with good memories. I remember playing with a broken left middle finger and having to wear something like a cast our team trainer made for me. Still being able to play in every game and good minutes. I shot 8-14 from three and was able to get some huge stops on high level guards. That was a special time for me and my teammates that year.

You had many great games at Louisiana Tech including 25 points in an exciting 79-76 win over Samford. What do you remember being your personal best game there?

That Samford game was a really good game, especially being able to end their 7 game winning streak. One game I will never forget at Louisiana Tech was my junior year versus Western Kentucky. We were down eight points with a minute left and I went on an 8-0 scoring run to tie the game up and my big man Kenny Loften Jr sealed the game with a pair of free throws to win it. That was one of my good games.

You played a 5th year at the The University of Tulsa (NCAA) averaging 13.1ppg, 3.4rpg, 3.5apg, 2.1spg, FGP: 46.0%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 75.7%. I guess it was a no brainer playing for Eric Konkol again. How special a relationship did you have as player to coach?

Going to play with Konkol at Tulsa for my last year really was a no brainer. I knew that’s where I wanted to be before I entered the transfer portal. Our relationship was and still is more than just coach and player. Him and his family watched me grow for 5 years and I’ve watched them grow. He was a really great coach everyday, but my personal relationship with him I viewed it as more like a mentor. A good genuine relationship.

You had some big games at the end of the season against Temple and S Florida. What was your fondest moment on the court there?

The very last regular season of game of the season against South Florida was a special game. They were #23 ranked in college basketball and it was senior night. My family couldn’t be there, but my daughter was able to be there. I was so determined to get that win and to build momentum heading into the conference tournament. Best memory from that game was just the atmosphere. The fans were great and my teammates and coaches just made that night an unforgettable day.

PJ Haggerty is dominating at the moment in the NCAA now at Memphis. How big of a future does he have? What was your fondest moment with him on and off the court?

I´m so happy for PJ Haggerty, overcoming a lot and turning himself into a potential all of college basketball player of the year. He has a very bright future and not only his skills, but also just a good Genuine person. We have a brother type relationship so we hung out almost everyday throughout the week playing video games and spending time with our other teammates.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or PJ Haggerty

I won all of the 1-1 battles at practice of course, king of the court battles on off days too. I have to give PJ his props though once he got rolling he was never far behind and very difficult to slow down.

Who were some of the best players that you battled in the NCAA that reached the NBA?

There were so many good guards that I have played against that reached the NBA/G league. I’m not sure if most of them stayed long, but there’s a lot playing high level basketball in different countries. Two of the toughest players I’ve ever guarded was my own teammate my freshman year Daquan Bracey (playing in Bulgaria) and former San Antonio University player Jhivvan Jackson (playing in Germany). Pure talent with the ball 1 on 1.

Please name your 5 bets teammates of all-time?

My 5 best teammates of all time has to be Isaiah Crawford, Kenny Loften Jr, Daquan Bracy, PJ Haggerty and Keaston Willis.

Please name your NBA Mount Rushmore?

My NBA Mount Rushmore is Lebron James, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant and Kevin Durant.

Who is your GOAT?

Lebron James is the GOAT.

Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming To America? Shouldn´t they have left it alone?

I have not watched the sequel, but they should have left Coming to America alone. I probably will never watch it either.

Thanks Cobe for the chat.