Perhaps in defiance, or maybe just to prove he does care about his craft, a leaner and more aggressive (Derrick) Williams made a strong statement himself Tuesday, Oct. 2, on the first day of the Wolves’ training camp at Minnesota State Mankato.

“He had his best day of practice he’s ever had here,” Wolves assistant coach Bill Bayno said of Williams. “All the things we had to stay on him about last year, we didn’t have to do that today. He had that look in his eyes that said ‘I’m not here to just play ball…. I’m here to compete and get things done.’ ”

Williams met Kahn’s offseason challenge head on and seemed to turn heads in the process. Coaches and teammates noticed how the 6-foot-8 Williams, looking faster and stronger after a dedicated offseason conditioning program, was more active at both ends of the court in scrimmages and drills.

via Ray Richardson of the Pioneer Press