Tremendous 24: All-Ivy League Cornell Guard Nazir Williams

This kid, much like his former high school teammate, Ansley Almonor, who you'll learn about soon enough, is a true testament to resilience. Both Rockland County natives defied the odds, going on to play college basketball at the highest level and scoring 1,000 career points at the collegiate level. Next in my Tremendous 24 series is Nyack’s hometown hero. He's a living, breathing example of determination, with a calm, resilient swag to his persona on and off the court, but an even better person.

A current senior for Cornell Big Red, who’s been an All-Ivy League selection. Nyack’s own: Nazir Williams.

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I was nearing the end of my senior year of college at SUNY New Paltz when I interviewed Williams, someone I’ve known since 2013-14 when we both attended Nyack Middle School. I was in the eighth grade, and he was in sixth. It had been long since we heard one another’s voice despite continuously checking in with him occasionally.

That day, when we got on the phone to interview that warm spring day on the New Paltz campus, the energy was genuine, as if we hadn’t missed a beat. Williams was born in Nyack, New York, in Nyack Plaza, the place that shaped and molded him into the basketball player and man he’d eventually become. He grew up in a close-knit family, with his parents and siblings always supporting his basketball dreams. 

“It helped mold me tremendously, honestly… Just being around the people I was around, my mom, my uncle, my dad, everybody also who was outside.  Just putting a basketball into my hands, just encouraging me, always made sure I stayed on the right path… I always said I was going to the NBA, and they used to always have my back and pushed me towards it.”

Village of Nyack, NY

Williams wasn’t isolated to basketball; he played other sports, such as football and baseball, and his favorite sport was whatever was “in season” when he was growing up. He then mentioned an interesting sequence of when he truly knew he loved the game of basketball.

“One fall winter, end of fall, beginning of winter. We were preparing for a state championship game for football, but I had basketball practice, too, and I just loved basketball so much. I skipped that football practice and went to basketball practice… That’s the day I knew this is for me, man.”

Football helped Williams become tougher. He mentions workouts called “Oklahoma’s,” where he was put on an island and had to guard someone. That helped him on the basketball court. His favorite player growing up was Carmelo Anthony, stating his innate scoring ability from all over the court.

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His biggest inspiration was his mother, Ms. Gulifield, who sacrificed and persevered for Williams to get to where he is today. Williams eventually played at Nyack Middle School, where he stated he was dropped in his first game by another Rockland native, Nick Boyd. Unlike most, Williams showed him respect instead of being embarrassed and dropped 13 in the first three-quarters of his first game to secure the win.

Williams knew he was the most talented player on the team. However, his work ethic matched his talent and competitive drive, as he loved talking trash to his opponents. After middle school, Williams chose to attend the prestigious St. Joseph’s Regional High School in Montvale, New Jersey, a goal he had his eyes set on for a long time.

“Honestly, that’s been a goal for me since I was five, six years old… The McCourty twins. They lived in the plaza, the same building as my grandmother.  So just knowing their story, how they came up, went to St. Joe's, the NFL. I was like ok, this is the way to go.”

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Williams joined Almonor at St. Joe's, where he played for the JV and freshmen teams as a freshman, stating that you could only play five quarters total if you played for both teams. His freshman team lost the tournament due to Williams being late to warmups. However, it was a minor setback for what would become one of the most decorated careers in the school’s history.

The Green Knights went 16-11 after a 2-8 start in William's sophomore season in 2017-18, where he blossomed. He would score over 300 points in his debut season on varsity. A year that helped him grow as a leader.

“That year really helped me become a leader. The leader I am today. I wasn’t really a good leader back then. I was kind of selfish.  I feel like everyone at a young age is a little selfish, always looking for yours… I wanted everyone else to eat too.”

The Green Knights lost to Seton Hall Prep 84-62 despite William's 19 points, averaging 19.5 points in the playoffs. The following season, the Green Knights improved their record from 16-11 to 20-5. Williams was one of the go-to scorers, averaging over 14 points per game, finishing with 358 for the season.

Unfortunately, St. Joe’s came up short in a 100-63 blowout against Bergen Catholic in the championship. Williams had another bitter taste, but it only motivated him more.

“That fueled the fire…That’s never happening again.”

Williams soaring through the air for a windmill dunk.

He entered that summer religiously in the weight room working out, working on his game at 24 Hour Fitness, and so forth to prepare for his senior season. It was a “personal vendetta” for Williams. Williams and the Green Knights had their best season yet in his final year,  starting 10-0 and going 23-5 overall to score 370 points that season, where he eclipsed the historic 1,000-point career plateau.

Williams propelled his team with a game-high 26 points, seven rebounds, and two steals, defeating Bergen Catholic in the Bergen County Jamboree Final and winning the county championship. It was a moment he’ll never forget.

“ It was just sweet, man. I was crying that day, but I didn’t even know I was crying because the tears just came out themselves. It was just natural. It was meant to happen… We went through all that trial and error. All that turmoil, all that heartbreak, all that defeat for the one moment… We were literally on top of the world.”

After an incredible high school career, Williams finished with quite a few accolades:

• 3x All-League Selection

• All-County First Team (2020)

• First Team All-North Jersey (2020)

• North Jersey Player of the Year (2020)

• Bergen County Champion (2020)

• 1,000 Career Points

After high school, Williams decided whether to attend a post-grad school or go straight to a four-year college. He only had one offer from the Air Force, so he attended South Kent Prep School to play for Rafael Chillious in 2020-21, which helped him realize how good of a passer he was and strengthened his body and mind. They went 20-2 that season.

His experiences at St Joe’s, playing EYBL, and South Kent prepared him for Cornell, where he played for the Cornell Big Red. Cornell went 15-11 overall, and Williams was named Ivy League Rookie of the Week at one point in the season. 

Since I interviewed Williams in April 2022, his role has increased, which has led to an increase in production in what ultimately became an outstanding collegiate career. In his sophomore season in 2022-23, Cornell went 17-11, averaging 12.9-3.6-2.8 and a steal per game, shooting efficient splits of 48/41/79 while leading his team in Ivy League conference games. Unfortunately, Big Red lost 80-60 to Yale in the Ivy League semifinals.

He would be named an All-Ivy League honorable mention.

William’s life changed drastically in 2023 when his mother sadly passed away that summer. She was his best friend and biggest cheerleader. He still carries her legacy with great pride, taking over the reins of her annual Nani Gee Toy Drive, which gave toys to kids in the local Nyack community every Christmas for over a decade.

A true Nyack hero.

Williams and his mother [Nani] at Nyack Community Plaza.

Annual Nani Gee Christmas Toy Drive.

In his junior season in 2023-24, his scoring dipped (11.4), but team success jumped to 22-8 and an 11-3 conference record where he increased his scoring (14.3) in conference play. Williams was named an All-Ivy League Second Team selection, stamping his name amongst the best in the conference.

Cornell lost to their nemesis Yale 67-59, who they couldn’t seem to get over the hump in the conference tournament losing in the semifinals once again. They played in the NIT (National Invitational Tournament) but lost to Ohio State in a challenging 88-83 game where Williams scored 14 on 50% from the field.

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2024-25 was William’s senior season. Cornell went 18-11 overall and 9-5 in conference play. Williams posted career-highs in points (14.7), rebounds (4.5), and assists (3.6) en route to being named All-Ivy League Second Team for the second consecutive season. The Big Red, unfortunately, came up short of winning the conference crown and punching a ticket to March Madness, losing to Yale 90-84.

Despite the loss, Williams had quite the collegiate season, becoming the 28th player in Cornell history to score over 1,000 career points. He'd also be named to the NABC All-District Second Team.

Williams drives to the basket against Yale.

Williams eats, sleeps, and breathes basketball. His favorite part is watching and studying the sport, even when not playing. Jay Z (his GOAT), Drake, and Polo G are his favorite pre-game artists, which lock him in. His top five NBA players of all time are Jordan, LeBron, Kareem, Magic, and finished off Kobe Bryant.

Despite enduring many significant obstacles in life and achieving outstanding accomplishments in basketball, he had to say this about what he wanted his legacy to be.

“Hopefully, people will always say that I was always me. You know what I mean?... I’m always so genuine. I’m just myself. I try to look out for everybody because you know what goes around comes around. I hope nobody can say that [short pause] “S**t, that I did right for my family. I did right for my people. You feel me?”

That mindset will lead Williams to achieve greatness in life and basketball. He was supremely talented at a young age but had the work ethic to match. His evolution as a person and athlete who’s transformed into an exceptional leader on and off the court and a hero in his community is something every kid should aspire to be.

It’s why he embodies Greatness Within.