Dylan Williamson breaks down his commitment to Rams

On Monday, veteran point guard Dylan Williamson made his commitment to Rhode Island official, becoming URI’s first transfer portal splash.

The 6-foot-1 rising senior averaged 14.6 points, 3.4 assists, and 2.5 rebounds per game this past season for the Towson Tigers and gives the Rams a dynamic presence at the point that Archie Miller and staff crave. He was an All-CAA Rookie Team selection in 2023-24, Second Team selection in 24-25, and Third Team selection in 25-26. He’s is a multi-faceted scorer, thoughtful communicator, and relishes the ability to lead.

We connected to discuss his commitment to Rhody, motivations, and much more.

Chris DiSano: Let’s walk it back for a minute… I’m sure you’ll take many things from Pat Skerry (Towson Head Coach) and his mentorship during your time at Towson… What’s one that stands out and which you’ll bring with you to Kingston?

Dylan Williamson: Playing with toughness. Playing for Coach Skerry, he was very defensive-minded and really hard on toughness and guys just playing hard constantly. That’s one thing I’ll bring with me - even though I’ve had it all my life - going into this last year of my career… playing tough and hard the entire game especially being a smaller guy.

CDD: Beyond toughness, what is one non-boxscore element of your game you bring every time you step on the floor that isn’t known by the casual observer?

DW: For me, I have a high IQ. Being able to see things before, or as they’re happening, being able to communicate with my teammates just to get them in the right position or give them the edge on the opponent — that’s something I have.

CDD: Let’s shift a little to this portal process in particular. Who else, other than Rhode Island, was heavily involved with you?

DW: There were a bunch of schools, but UAB was heavy, Vanderbilt was constant and Nebraska reached out, but I felt Coach Archie [Miller] offered the perfect style I was looking to play for.

CDD: That’s a great segue… what was it about Rhode Island, Archie, and Duane Woodward (Coach “Forty”) who was the main assistant in your recruitment that made you say to yourself, “This feels right.”

When I first got in the portal, Rhody was one of the first to reach out. Then when I went up for a visit — the coaching staff, the environment, walking through the campus, it gave me another sense of a place I could call home. Everyone was so welcoming and nice. Having a sit down with Coach Miller, being able to talk basketball and non-basketball with him and all the coaches, it gave me a great feeling that this is the place I want to be.

CDD: When you reflect on what the coaches may be expecting of you but also what you’re expecting of yourself this coming year, what comes to mind? What is driving you? What do you think they want and what do you want to make sure you bring from day one?

DW: First, I want to make sure I bring a winning culture. Win as many games as possible, winning the A10 is a goal of mine, being an all-conference player. From the coaching staff standpoint, they want me to come in and be a quarterback for the team, be an all-conference player, and be able to make plays for the guys that are returning and the newcomers. I feel like we have a good group going into this year so I can make plays all around for other guys and also make plays for myself.

CDD: When you think about your largest influences and motivators for you on or off the floor who comes to mind?

DW: For me it’s been my parents Michelle and Donnell and my little brother Chase. Both my parents played basketball growing up through high school and college so, really, once I was born I played all sports: baseball, tennis, football, soccer, basketball. The ball has been in my hands since I was young. My real motivation is to take care of my family and the support that they bring me every day makes me want to keep going.

My mom, y’all are going to see her a lot this year as she’ll probably come to almost every game if she can make it. In the past three years of me playing, she may have missed four games total, if that. My family are big supporters of me, keep me motivated, and make me want to keep going.

My little bro is like my GM (laughs). He’s a real stats guy. When I don’t shoot well he’s texting me tell me I gotta do this or that better. I want him to be better than me in a sense as he comes of age. He doesn’t play sports, but I want him to see his older brother doing well and hope that makes him continue to fall in the right line.

CDD: I’d be remiss if I didn’t ask this one to wrap it. You’re an Upper Marlboro, MD, kid. I’m sure you’re familiar with Jeff Dowtin [former URI standout]. What does it mean to rep Upper Marlboro and come here to Rhody in a place where one of its recent best guards called home?

DW: It’s everything. Coming from this area, PG County, we’ve grown up with toughness, playing with chips on our shoulder, one of the most talented areas. So it means everything to represent [as he did] and hopefully I represent the right way come this season.

Photo courtesy Towson University Athletics Official Site