Rattlers Reach Into the Ontario Clippers For a Third Key Signing Ahead of Their 2024 C-E-B-L Season

Familiarity has brought Bryson Williams from Southern California to Saskatchewan for some summer basketball this year.

Williams is a 6’8″ forward who played over the winter with the Ontario Clippers of the N-B-A G League where recently-signed Rattlers’ guard Elijah Harkness played and new Snakes’ head coach Larry Abney was the bench boss for the affiliate team of the N-B-A’s Los Angeles Clippers. Williams has played two professional seasons with five teams in the N-B-A, N-B-A G League, N-B-A Summer League, France and Israel. The Rattlers have 10 players signed for the upcoming season, which starts May 22. Following is the news release from the Saskatchewan Rattlers…..

The Saskatchewan Rattlers of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Wednesday that the club signed 6-foot-8 California-native Bryson Williams for the 2024 season. The American forward made his professional debut playing in the NBA Summer League with the Miami Heat. Williams will make his CEBL debut in Saskatchewan, reuniting with Elijah Harkless and Coach Larry Abney after their season with the Ontario Clippers (Los Angeles Clippers affiliate).

“Bryson is a major signing for us and is expected to be a significant contributor to the success of our team through both his play and leadership in the locker room,” said General Manager and Vice-President of Basketball Operations, Barry Rawlyk. “His versatility as a power forward will cause difficult match-ups for opponents. I am excited to see his impact this season.”

During his professional career, Williams has played two seasons with five teams in the NBA, NBA G League, NBA Summer League, France, and Israel. He has a professional career average of 9.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.1 assist, and 21.9 minutes while playing in 95 games.

After his professional debut with the Miami Heat in the NBA Summer League, Williams signed a contract with the Los Angeles Clippers which led him to play with the Ontario Clippers of the NBA G League during the 2022-23 season. Over two seasons with the Ontario Clippers, he averaged 9.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 23.3 minutes in 57 games appearing in the starting line 34 times. During his most recent season with the Ontario Clippers, Williams led his team in total rebounds (207), ranked second for total blocks (29), and fourth for total points (348). While with the Clippers organization, Williams has had the opportunity to play during the NBA G League Showcase Cup, NBA Summer League, and in the NBA preseason.

During the NBA offseason as a rookie, Williams made his international debut in 2023 playing in France with JL Bourg-en-Bresse of LNB Elite averaging 9.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.1 assist, and 19.0 minutes while shooting 50.9% from the field in seven games. He is currently playing in Israel with Bnei Herzelia in the Israeli BSL averaging 16.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, 0.3 assists, and 30.7 minutes in three games.

“I am excited to be playing with Saskatchewan this season under Coach Larry Abney and with my teammate Elijah Harkless,” said Williams. “I am looking forward to playing hard, getting better, and ultimately making a lot of noise in the CEBL with the Rattlers this season!”

Prior to his professional career, Williams attended Roosevelt High in Fresno, California. As a senior, he averaged 33.8 points and 18.0 rebounds. He led his team to the 2016 Central Section Division III Championship with a performance of 29 points, 23 rebounds, three assists, and two blocks in the final game to win. Williams was named North Yosemite League MVP, and Fresno Offensive Player of the Year.

The California-native made his NCAA debut with Fresno State University. While playing two seasons with the Bulldogs, he averaged 10.7 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 22.8 minutes playing 65 games with 58 appearances as a starter. As a sophomore, he was named to the 2018 All-Mountain West Third Team. Finishing his time with Fresno State ranked fifth-most all-time for total points (2302) in Central Section History – most-ever in the city of Fresno.

As a junior and a top-five NCAA D1 transfer, he joined UTEP where he played two seasons, averaging 16.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 31.5 minutes while starting in all 56 games. During his time with UTEP, he was recognized as 2020 All-Conference USA First Team, 2020 NABC All-District First Team, and 2021 NABC All-District Second Team.

For his final NCAA season, Williams transferred to Texas Tech where he started in all 37 games averaging 14.1 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 25.6 minutes, and led the Big 12 with a 53.5% field-goal percentage. Texas Tech finished their season with a 27-10 record, appeared in the Big-12 Championship Final, and made an appearance in the Sweet 16 during March Madness. He was named to the 2022 All-Big 12 First Team, 2022 Big 12 All-Newcomer Team, 2022 NABC All-District Team, and 2022 USBWA All-District First Team.

Bryson Williams joins the newly assembled roster consisting of Elijah Harkless, Emmanuel Bandoumel, Cody John, Maurice Calloo, Adong Makuoi, and 2023 Rattlers Defensive Player of the Year – Anthony Tsegakele. The Rattlers added three familiar faces concluding the 2024 CEBL Draft with Alexander Dewar, Isaac Simon, and Elias Ralph with the third-overall pick. The franchise will continue to unveil the 2024 roster leading up to their Training Camp in mid-May.