Williamson Set To Retire From NBA, Take College Job

LITTLE ROCK (AP) _ Corliss Williamson, a reserve forward for the Sacramento Kings last season, is set to retire from the NBA and become an assistant coach at Arkansas Baptist College, the school's

Tuesday, September 25th 2007, 8:25 pm

By: News On 6

LITTLE ROCK (AP) _ Corliss Williamson, a reserve forward for the Sacramento Kings last season, is set to retire from the NBA and become an assistant coach at Arkansas Baptist College, the school's athletic director said Tuesday.

Williamson, who led Arkansas to the 1994 national championship, has played 12 pro seasons with Sacramento, Toronto, Detroit and Philadelphia. He was on the Pistons when they won the 2004 NBA title.

Williamson averaged 9.1 points in 68 games last season with Sacramento.

A news conference was scheduled for Wednesday in North Little Rock to address Williamson's future. Charles Ripley, Arkansas Baptist's athletic director and basketball coach, is happy to welcome Williamson aboard.

``It's huge. He's already been working with our post players,'' Ripley said. ``Being a pro, he has their utmost attention. They're just excited _ they can't wait to come work with him.''

Williamson was the most outstanding player of the 1994 NCAA tournament and led the Razorbacks to the title game in 1995 as well. UCLA denied Arkansas' bid for a repeat championship.

``Every kid wants to get where he got to,'' Ripley said. ``He's a wonderful coach. He's got great work ethic and great personality on the floor. We're just tickled to death.''

Williamson also won the NBA's sixth man award for the Pistons in 2002. He missed some time late last season with a sore heel.

Arkansas Baptist revamped its athletic department recently, starting a junior college football program this year.