It’s the biggest weekend in college basketball…
NCAA March Madness. It’s exactly what it says on the tin as thousands of people descend on Sacramento, California to take in a weekend of college basketball. There’s nothing to equal it in the UK.
March Madness is the moniker that is given to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournaments. These tournaments determine the national champions of college basketball.
But there’s something for people this side of the Atlantic to sit up and take notice of in this year’s tournament, even if you’ve only a passing interest in the game.
Londoner Kavell Bigby-Williams will be lining out for the University of Oregon on Friday in the first round of March Madness as his side take on Iona College. And he’s going to have a big say in the result.
Bigby-Williams’s role in the team has become even more vital in recent weeks following the unfortunate injury to Chris Boucher. But boy has he taken his chance.
He’s shown a maturity beyond what’s expected of a 21-year-old after being thrust into the spotlight following Boucher’s injury, but he’s taken it all in his stride.
“It’s unfortunate that one of our best players got hurt,” said a relaxed Bigby-Williams, “But I’m just trying to find ways to help the team, because obviously they’re going to need players to step up to try and replace Chris.
“I’m just trying to find ways to fill the void that we’ve left at the moment.”
Nothing fazes the the young forward, who had a promising soccer career with a semi-pro side in Kent ended prematurely by injury.
He’s taken the road less travelled and followed the likes of fellow Brits John Amaechi and Luol Deng in trying to carve out a career for himself over in the US.
Travelling over to the US alone as a teenager may seem like a big step for some, but for Kavell, the end goal of playing high-level basketball made the decision straightforward.
“I came to the States in my freshman year of college,” Bigby-Williams said. “I went to Gillette College (in Wyoming) for two years. I had a good season the first and the second season I stepped up my game a little bit. I came to the US because it’s better competition than in London. I wanted to play in the best competition and coming here was a step towards that.”
It’s this kind of drive that the former football goalkeeper will be hoping to bring to the game on Friday as his much fancied Oregon side face a stern challenge from Iona.
But no doubt Bigby-Williams will be ready for the challenge. He’s been waiting for it since he was 15-years-old…
You can catch Kavell’s Oregon side take on Iona at 6pm UK time on Friday on BT Sport. It’s worth tuning in to watch…
Fans can watch the iconic NCAA March Madness® Tournament, on the channels of BT Sport (BT Sport 1, BT Sport 2, ESPN // BT Sport). Throughout the season, the BT Sport channels bring fans in the UK & Ireland more than 300 NCAA basketball games.
Images via: University of Oregon Athletics
