Texas A&M Basketball: Robert Williams’ top 10 highlights of 2018

Robert Williams, one of the most dominating players in Texas A&M basketball history, is headed to the NBA. Let’s look back over his incredible 2018 season.

More: Robert Williams declares for the 2018 NBA Draft

Following his sophomore season, Robert Williams declared for the NBA Draft after Texas A&M’s Sweet 16 loss to Michigan . Blocking 152 shots in his career, Williams was named the SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Year for the 2018 season.

Let’s take a look at 10 of the best moments for Robert Williams in his final season in Aggieland.

10. Breakaway Alley-Oop vs. Penn St

One of the best moments of the beginning of the season, No. 16 Texas A&M defeated Penn State 98-87 to win the Progressive Legends Classic at the Barclays Center in New York. Midway through the second half, Robert Williams picked off a Penn State pass and forwarded it up to TJ Starks. Starks tossed it up to Williams for the monster slam as the Aggies went on to win. Williams finished with 21 points and 10 rebounds.

9. Poster Dunk vs. Oklahoma St

A hint of advice for all future opponents of Robert Williams: Do not try to out jump him. Oklahoma State figured it out the hard way during the Progressive Legends Classic at the Barclays Center in New York. Late in the 1st half, Duane Wilson found Williams inside as Williams elevated over everyone for a poster dunk. The Aggies went on to win easily 72-55 and Williams racked up another double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds.

8. One Handed Slam vs. Kentucky

https://twitter.com/SECNetwork/status/962518442120302593

Arguably the best home game for the Aggies this year, Texas A&M rolled past Kentucky in front of a rowdy Reed Arena by a score of 85-74 back in February. During the second half, the Aggies started to separate from the Wildcats when Williams had a highlight moment. With a phenomenal display of athleticism, Williams snagged a pass from Admon Gilder and threw it down over everyone. Racking up another double-double, Williams finished with 12 points and 11 rebounds in the Aggie win.

7. Alley Oop vs. USC

When the 2018 schedule was released, most people circled the Texas A&M – USC matchup. The No. 10 and No. 16 teams in the nation squared off in California and quickly turned into a route for the Aggies. Williams and Texas A&M easily defeated the Trojans 75-59 for their sixth win in a row, highlighted by another Wilson-to-Williams alley-oop.

6. Block vs. Arizona

Texas A&M suffered their first loss of the season in a tight contest vs. Arizona on the road. The Wildcats managed to defeat the Aggies 67-64 in the Valley of the Sun Showcase. Williams was held to only four points and seven rebounds but did have a phenomenal block late in the first half.

5. Alley Oop vs. Ole Miss

After a phenomenal start to the season, Texas A&M lost their first five conference games in a row. Needing a major win, the Aggies faced Ole Miss at home and grinded out a 71-69 win to claim their first SEC win of 2018. Late in the first half, DJ Hogg found Williams who out jumped everyone and slammed it home to give Texas A&M a 3-point lead.

4. Block vs. Kentucky

A second highlight from the best home game of 2018 probably is the best example of how athletic Robert Williams is. The 6-foot-10 sophomore is projected as an NBA Lottery pick in the upcoming draft and this easily shows why. Williams is able to jump from halfway in between the 3-point line and the elbow to partially block a Kentucky 3-point attempt. It will be very exciting to see how Williams begins his journey in the NBA.

3. Alley Oop vs. Kentucky

Williams size was a tremendous asset to the Aggies. Take this alley-oop pass from JJ Caldwell. Not only did Kentucky never see it coming, Williams delivered effortlessly extend an Aggie lead.

2. Windmill Slam vs. Providence

There were a lot of uncertainties headed into the NCAA Tournament for Texas A&M. Most importantly, how were the Aggies going to handle a scrappy Providence team with several big wins during the 2018 season? The solution became real simple: feed Tyler Davis and Robert Williams. Pulling away late, the Aggies victory was capped off by an incredible windmill dunk by Williams as the Aggies held on for a 73-69 win. Williams put together another double-double with 13 points and 14 rebounds.

1. Block vs. UNC

One of the most phenomenal performances of the past several years, Texas A&M knocked out the defending national champions North Carolina 86-65 and advanced to the Sweet 16 for the second time in three years. There were a lot of highlights from this contest but it was headlined by a monster block from Williams halfway through the first half. Williams racked up eight points and 13 rebounds as the Aggies rolled past the Tar Heels.

Next: Which other Aggies will enter the NBA Draft?

Robert Williams is expected to be a lottery pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, which will take place on June 21 in Brooklyn, New York.

Gig Em #44