BUTTE, Mont. — Asa Williams’ time as an Oredigger may be over, but his high-flying hoops career is just getting started.
An instrumental piece of Montana Tech’s 2023 NAIA national quarterfinals run and Frontier Conference titles each of the last two seasons, Williams racked up honors once as the league Newcomer of the Year and twice as an All-Conference selection, through his bombastic play style of splash threes, crafty assists, and rim-rocking dunks.
And the Montana Tech Hooligans cheering section wasn’t the only one who took notice.
Last week, Williams inked a contract with Tre Sports Management, officially kicking off a pro career that Williams once only dreamed of.
“Growing up, I wasn’t always the best basketball player,” Williams said. “You get to college, and you realize how hard you truly have to work.”
“For someone to recognize your talent in a small town like Butte, it means a lot,” Williams continued. “It means that all the countless hours I’ve put in have worked.”
And as fate would have, the next step of Williams’ career brings the return of a familiar face–an old friend who, just like Williams, sported the same famous #1 jersey as an Oredigger.
“Me and Sindou [Diallo] played AAU together,” Williams said. “Out of that whole team, we’re the only two players that still continue to play basketball. Two guys who no one ever expected to go pro in basketball are signed with a pro agency.”
Williams’ longtime friendship with fellow former Montana Tech All-American Sindou Diallo is a big reason why he chose the Mining City in the first place.
Now, the two are reunited as members of Tre Sports, as Diallo continues his pro career in Qatar, while Williams leans toward an opportunity in Spain this fall.
But, wherever he decides to go, Williams won’t forget the little mining town and the people that supported him every step of the way.
“It’s just the support… every time someone sees you, they know who you are,” Williams said. “That’s what I’m probably going to miss the most [about Butte].”
“It’s genuine love here,” Williams continued. “When someone wants to see you succeed like that, it’s something you’ll forever miss.”
