By Five Boro Sports
Just like old times.
Daryll Hill and Ryan Williams were back on the Cardozo basketball court and it looked like they had never left. Hill tossed the ball underhand off the backboard from behind the three-point line. The explosive Williams charged it, leaped and slammed it home from the other side of the rim with two hands during the school’s basketball alumni event Saturday.
“That isn’t going to ever leave,” Hill said of their chemistry. “That’s like dribbling a ball. You never forget.”
Even when the two failed to connect for a basket, ohs and ahs were heard from many in the crowd of alumni and fans.
“I entertain fans all over the world,” said Williams, who has spent time on a number of streetball tours. “They get to see it this time and it’s for free. Usually we charge, but it’s a good feeling.”
The duo, who helped Cardozo win the 1998-99 PSAL city championship and played two years together at St. John’s University, capped their performance with Hill, nicknamed Showtime, throwing an alley-oop to Williams for a thunderous tomahawk slam to the delight of the crowd.
“[In] stuff like this, I can play with him and throw alleys to him,” Hill said. “It’s fun. Right now everyone is a professional, so we are all trying to get our money up. It’s hard to play with him all the time.”
Both have taken different professional basketball paths since graduating from St. John’s in 2007. Hill, a 6-foot guard, has bounced around leagues in several countries. He played for Macedonia in the Greek league, went to the Albany Patrons of the CBA and played for the Quebec City Kebekwa of Canada’s Premier Basketball League. He said he will be playing in Italy and France and has a workout with the Atlanta Hawks coming up.
“It’s fun to me, bouncing around, but I want a home where I can just stay put,” Hill said. “Right now, it’s fun traveling, meeting new people, learning different languages.”
Williams, whose nickname is Special FX because of his leaping ability and highlight-reel slams, has made his way around the streetball circuit. He started with AND 1, moved to Ball4Real and is now on tour with Ball Up. The 6-foot-5 forward said he was supposed to have a game in Charlotte, but it was canceled, allowing him to show up at Cardozo. He has been trying to get a break overseas, but feels typecast as just a streetball player.
“People don’t respect you as a basketball player,” Williams said.” People forget I played Division I basketball.”
Added Hill: “It’s tough, but I think he can get over there. His leaping ability is incredible. His jump shot got a lot better.”
And their chemistry hasn’t changed a bit.
