Missouri State assistant men's basketball coach Kent Williams will join five other former Southern Illinois University athletics standouts to be inducted into the SIU Athletic Hall of Fame on January 8.

The esteemed, six-person class features Williams and fellow basketball standout Jerry Jones, plus inductees Tom Koutsos (football), Al Levine (baseball), Dana Olden (volleyball) and Cheryl Venorsky (softball).

Williams (1999-2003) helped rejuvenate the men's basketball program a decade ago. As a four-year starter, his teams were 88-42 during his career and advanced to two NCAA Tournaments (2002, 2003), including a Sweet 16 appearance, and one NIT bid (2000). Williams became just the second player in school history to surpass 2,000 career points. He was a two-time First-Team All-MVC selection (2002, 2003) and runner-up to Kyle Korver for MVC Player of the Year in 2003. He ranks among the school leaders in numerous career categories, including 3-pointers (2nd), free throws (2nd) assists (8th) and games started (1st).

Williams came to Missouri State, along with head coach Cuonzo Martin, from Purdue University in the spring of 2008.