By BOB CHAVEZ
He still gets the attention everywhere he goes, which is what happens when you’re 7 feet tall. And since Connor Williams isn’t expecting to grow shorter anytime soon, it’s attention he’s learned to accept.
But what’s different since his 2021 graduation from Victor is how to live with the attention. And as he thinks back on the basketball he’s played at Victor, followed by four years of NCAA ball at St. John Fisher University, he’s as comfortable as he’s ever been.
“I’m not sure it’ll fully hit me until next year,” Williams said of anticipating a 2026 basketball season with no team to suit for. “But I feel lucky. I made good friends every year at every level I’ve played.”
Coming out of high school, Williams weighed options between football and basketball before choosing to stay closer to home with basketball at Fisher. And it didn’t take long for the rest of the sports world to discover what many of us in this area already knew: Williams is a baller.
It was December of his freshman year at Fisher that Williams went viral with a sharp pass after injuring his ankle during an exhibition game against the University at Buffalo. The sequence made for a quick clip that’s ideal in this world of reels, stories and shorts.
And his response to the moment provided an opportunity for all to see where his head and heart truly are. Spying an opportunity with the sudden attention, he launched a line of merchandise centered on his nickname, The Big Cozy, which he earned when showing up to a Fisher practice one day in pajama pants. And proceeds of the merchandise sales went to charities.
“I was able to help those who helped me in the past and that was important to me,” he said.
So while the college game is an obvious highlight for his career, we have to go back to his days at Victor for his all-time top basketball moment.
“Playing at Blue Cross (Arena) for my school was really special for me,” he said. “It was part of the resurgence for basketball at Victor because before that, we weren’t really that good.”
Victor came up empty in the pursuit of Section V glory while Williams was there, but he likes to think he was part of the program that set the stage for Victor success. The Blue Devils, who had not won a Section V crown since 1979, went on to win two Section V titles and a state championship in the seasons following his graduation. So even though Williams wasn’t on the championship teams, he felt he still was part of them.
“Just being there felt special,” he said. “And then seeing it all continue afterward. I was so happy for coach (Tyler) Roberts. Obviously I would have loved to win it when I was there, but I was happy for them.”
At Fisher, Williams was content with how his path unfolded and was thrilled to be playing close to home for friends and family. But beyond the court is where the bigger lessons came. Especially with the viral moment so early in his college career.
“I learned so much about self-confidence and believing in yourself,” he said. “In high school, I was Player of the Year and first-team All-Greater Rochester. But you get to college and everyone’s good. You start to doubt yourself and you don’t play your best.”
This is where the mental maturity comes into play and oddly enough, it was the viral video that helped strengthen this process for Williams. As great and glorious as it can be, the courage of anonymity encourages some people to think they’re funny when really, they’re downright cruel.
“You just try to make it positive,” he said. “It really pissed my parents off, but they just reinforced who I am and what I know I am. So you just stop reading the comments. It is what it is.”
It’s a process Williams has learned to trust because it’s a process he’ll carry with him into the real world as a college graduate with a degree in Cybersecurity. Whether that takes him into the private sector or the law enforcement, he’s not sure. But he does know he has confidence in his abilities, wherever they take him.
As for life without basketball, Williams is prepared. At least as a player. He’s ready for a bit of a break but would love to be back helping younger players, especially at Victor.
“I had an interesting career,” he said. “I know what I put into it and I’m fully OK with it. I did what I could.”
What a great young man! Love how he gives back to his community!