Soarin' Beyond the Sport is a series in which members of the Post University Athletic Communications Team sit down with student-athletes across all the varsity athletic programs offered at Post University to learn more about interesting stories about the players off the field, court, ice, etc., in a short interview format. All the interview questions, filming, editing, and write-ups are done by the featured member of the Athletic Communications Team to help them gain new experiences in a variety of important aspects in the field.

In this episode, Athletic Communications Spring Intern Jiante Ward sat down with Post University Men's Basketball junior Ta'Quan Williams earlier in the semester to discuss his basketball background growing up, involvement in the Post community, and community work back home in Massachusetts. 

WATERBURY, Conn. -- Basketball is more than just a game for Post University's Ta'Quan Williams, one of the key players from the 2025-26 season. For Williams, basketball has been a pathway to opportunity, growth, and leadership both on and off the court. In the interview, Williams reflected upon his journey through basketball, academics, adversity, and community involvement while emphasizing that his life and journey are "bigger than basketball."

The junior explained that his love for basketball began at a very young age, his source of inspiration and entry into the sport he came to love. Growing up nearly nine years apart, he constantly watched his brother play and wanted to follow in his footsteps, even down to wearing the same jersey number. He recalled always being involved during games, especially during halftime and timeouts, before he eventually joined a YMCA league around four to five years old. From that point forward, basketball became a major part of his life.

While basketball has brought him many memorable experiences, Williams considers the moment he earned a scholarship to play at the collegiate level to be his greatest achievement in the sport. As a first-generation college student whose immediate and distant family members did not complete college, receiving a scholarship represented far more than athletics. To him, it symbolized access to a free education and opportunities that extended beyond the basketball court. Williams described sports as a tool that allows individuals to network, build relationships, and open doors that may have otherwise remained closed. Through basketball, he has connected with people and experiences he believes he may never have encountered otherwise.

The junior guard also opened up about one of the most difficult moments in his life, which stemmed from losing his father at the age of 11. He described his father as the core of the family and someone who served as a source of inspiration and motivation for both him and his older brother. After his father's passing, Williams said he was forced to grow up much faster than expected. Between the ages of 12 and 15, he had to make important decisions about basketball and his future without the guidance he once relied on.

He explained that the experience taught him independence and helped him realize that not everyone will always be there to help, meaning he sometimes had to navigate life on his own. Family remains at the center of Williams' motivation. Raised by a single mother of two who worked multiple jobs as a childcare provider. Williams said one of his biggest goals is to eventually ease the burden on his mother after watching her work tirelessly to support their family, and he has already begun to accomplish with working to help provide for her when he is back in his hometown.

Off the court, Williams has established himself as an outstanding student. He is currently pursuing a double major in accounting and finance while maintaining a 3.88 GPA and earning recognition on the President's List. He takes great pride in his education and believes basketball has helped create opportunities for academic and professional growth. During the summer, Williams worked at a bank, gaining valuable experience in the finance field and becoming more financially literate. He emphasized the importance of learning as much as possible, not only to improve himself but also to educate and inspire those around him.

Although balancing athletics and academics can make involvement difficult at times, Williams has also attempted to stay active around campus through organizations such as the Black Student Union and the Finance Club. Beyond campus life, however, much of his focus is centered on serving his community back home in Brockton, Massachusetts. Williams described himself as someone younger kids in his community often look up to for guidance regarding basketball, academics, and life decisions. He spends time mentoring the local youth, training with them, and even creating basketball-related creative content. However, his main goal is mentoring the youth and trying to encourage them to understand that although athletics is a way out, it is not the only pathway to success. He emphasized the importance of the youth pushing for careers in business and finance, and how overall academics can create many opportunities as well. According to Williams, youth need to understand they can become more than entertainers or athletes.

His commitment to mentorship extends beyond his hometown. Williams participates in community service efforts with children through organizations such as the Brockton Day Nursery, where he visits kids, plays games, and serves as a positive role model for the children there. Through YMCA programs and team volunteer efforts connected to Post University, he and his teammates also visit schools and community events to encourage young people and demonstrate the work ethic required to succeed.

When discussing why community involvement matters so much to him, Williams pointed to the challenges many young people face growing up in Brockton. He explained that access to resources and positive direction is not always easy to find, making mentorship and representation especially important. Reflecting on his own upbringing, Williams noted that positive role models in his life helped him and his peers persevere despite difficult circumstances. Now, he hopes to continue that cycle by serving as a positive influence for the next generation by pouring into them, as he was poured into by those in his family and community growing up.

For Williams, basketball may have opened doors and given him opportunities that he may not have had access to without the sport, it does not define who he is. Through his commitment to academics, mentorship, leadership, and family, he continues to prove that he is much more than just a Division II basketball player.