GREEN BAY, Wis. (GreenBayPhoenix.com) - A year after he joined the Green Bay men's basketball team as a transfer from Kirkwood Community College, things have already changed dramatically for senior Jarvis Williams (Milwaukee, Wis.) Twelve months later he is making the transition from newcomer to the program's oldest player as one of three Phoenix seniors.

Williams, an athletic 6-foot-6 player who can play and guard a number of positions, fit in nicely in his first season under head coach Brian Wardle. Starting 23 games, Williams averaged 8.4 points and 5.2 rebounds per contest, goof for fourth and third on the team respectively. His average grew to 8.8 points per game in Horizon League play, where he posted double figures on eight occasions.

Along with his teammates, Williams and his teammates are going through voluntary work outs and pick up games while attending summer classes. Throughout the summer, GreenBayPhoenix.com will catch up with members of the men's basketball team with a weekly Q and A.

What individually are your main goals for the offseason?
"First of all getting stronger and putting on some weight so I can be able to take all of the contact that goes on during the games. Working on my jump shot is a real important thing for me, and lastly just developing into more of a leader, being vocal and being a motivator for the team."

What are you doing in the offseason in your free time?
"Just relaxing really and trying to enjoy the nice weather. Getting to the know the guys a little bit better. I'll try to go home when I can to be with my family. I'll get to see my nieces and nephew some and I am looking forward to that."

Last year being your first year, what did you learn about the program, about the Horizon League and about Division I basketball in general that you think will help you in 2011-12?
"I learned that the Horizon League is a real competitive league. We have a lot of good team and we are getting better every year it seems. From Green Bay and our coaching staff, I learned that they want to get after it and be a defensive team and a rebounding team."

With the team losing three seniors, and especially two senior guards, has Coach Wardle challenged you to become more of a leader? Is that something you thought about on your own that you wanted to become more of a leader and step into that role?
"I think coach gave me a lot of responsibility last year defensively with guarding the other team's best player a lot of games, and I think that was a challenge from coach right there. I think he sees something in me that I can be that leader. Being a leader is not scoring, it's defense, it's rebounding, it's talking, it's doing a lot of the little things on and off the court. I think coach wants me to do that, and I think I want to be there for coach this year."

You played a lot of wing and power forward last year. Is that something you think you can continue to be one of the guys that is versatile and plays different positions?
"I think I will. We are going to be a lot bigger this year, but I think there can be mismatches depending on where I play. If I am at the four, I can use my speed, and if I'm at the three I will have a size advantage most of the time. Wherever coach wants to play me is good. We are going to be bigger, and I think I can help by guarding a lot of different positions."

What have you learned about the newcomers and what are you excited about with that group?
"First, with Josh (Humphrey) who is here right now, he is athletic and a big guard who can play point guard and the two and the three. Brennan Cougill I played with a lot in the summer last year, and he is going to be a big body who can do a lot. He can rebound, he can bang, and he can score, but he can also run the floor well. The others I have not gotten to play with, but hearing coach talk about them they are going to come in and want to push it and get up and down the floor. That is what I like, and that is going to help us a lot."

With it being your last year, do you feel more focused because you know this is it for you in terms of college basketball?
"I am a lot more focused because I see the bigger picture right now. It is my last year and I want to go out with a bang. My father always tells me when it is your last chance to do something you have to go as hard as you can. I was telling Terry Johnson that this is my last year and I want to go out with a bang, and I want this team to go out with a huge bang with me. We want to make some noise, and I know we can because we are a good team and things are looking good for us."

What about this team makes you most excited?
"That we are an energetic team. That is the biggest thing. We are really going to get after it on the defensive end. We are going to be a lot closer this year, and when the new guys come in everyone is going to jel with a lot of different personalities and I think it is going to be a lot of fun."