Anchorage’s Travante Williams shoots over the Israeli defense during a FIBA Euro qualifier. Photo courtesy FIBA
After riding shotgun for most of Monday’s game, Travante Williams of Anchorage took the wheel late to drive Portugal into the winner’s circle.
The 30-year-old former UAF standout and dual citizen scored five points in the final minute and hit the go-ahead basket with 24 seconds left to provide a 79-77 victory over Ukraine in a FIBA European Championships qualifier in Riga, Latvia.
Twice in the final minute Williams hit shots to put Portugal in front. He drilled a 3-pointer to make it 77-76 at 1:01 and then buried a terrific turnaround jumper in the closing moments.
The 6-foot-6 Alaskan iced the win on the defensive end after intercepting a pass with 9 seconds left to give the ball back to Portugal, which played keep away and ran out the clock.
Williams started at guard and finished with eight points, three rebounds, five assists and four steals.
The win was vital for Portugal, which improved to 1-1 in Group A after losing the first game to Israel 72-70 with Williams pumping in 18 points. This was the first of three two-game legs, with the second round set for Nov. 22, when Portugal takes on Group A leader Slovenia.
For now, though, Portugal celebrated its first win in EuroBasket qualifying after Williams took center stage at crunch time.
SCENES IN THE PORTUGAL LOCKER ROOM 🇵🇹#EuroBasket x #MakeYourMark pic.twitter.com/GqH2tMIvnf
— FIBA EuroBasket (@EuroBasket) February 25, 2024
The Mt. Edgecumbe High graduate is an eighth-year pro player who spent the previous six seasons in Portugal, where his teams posted a 181-70 record and won three league titles.
Williams was a Portuguese League Finals MVP and four-time defensive player of the year.
Last summer, he signed with Baxi Manresa of Spain’s famed ACB league.
Williams has earned 39 caps with Portugal’s national team and has averaged 15 points per game with an international high of 26.
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