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Eric Williams is living the dream.

The NBA may not have come calling, but the 6'7” forward who spent his final two college seasons at Tarleton State is playing basketball for a living.

Williams, who finished No. 1 in overall proficiency among rookies in the Pro A league in Germany, had just returned to the states for some well-deserved rest and relaxation when his phone rang.

“Last week he came over and we were visiting about his time in Germany,” Tarleton associate head coach Chris Reisman said. “Suddenly his phone rang and it was a coach wanting to know his availability for the summer. Hours later I have three phone calls on my cell from Australia. The head coach, general manager and commissioner of the South East Australian Basketball League had called. They were very thorough with their questions, not only concerning Eric's basketball ability, but also his character and integrity. They seem to be very big on having their players be great ambassadors for the community and the sport.”

Two days later, he was off to join his new pro team in Australia.

“Things work so quickly over there; two days after Eric received his first phone call they had him on a 23-hour flight to Australia,” Reisman said. “He touched base with me after he arrived and told me it was the nicest country he has seen. He said it's absolutely gorgeous.”

Williams makes his South East Australian Basketball League debut with the Nunawading Spectres Saturday night, and team officials are heavily promoting the arrival of the former Texan.

“Be at the unveiling of our newest import...Eric 'The Slammer' Williams,” a poster produced by team officials reads, just below a picture of Williams coming down from a two-handed slam in Germany.

Williams has certainly done his part to deserve such recognition, averaging 13.9 points and 6.9 rebounds per game his rookie season for the Cuxhaven Bobcats in Germany. He shot 58 percent from the floor and reached double figures in scoring 23 times in 30 games. He posted four double-doubles and had a season-best scoring performance of 23 points. His best rebounding night was the season opener when he hauled in 13 boards.

At Tarleton, Williams averaged a double-double for the Texans his senior season, scoring 12.3 points while grabbing 10.1 rebounds. He averaged 10.7 points and 7.3 boards as a junior in 2007-08, when Tarleton went 25-7 and won a pair of playoff games before falling to Central Oklahoma in the championship game of the South Central Regional. The Texans were 43-17 with Williams on the roster.

Reisman says Nunawading head coach Craig Simpson is excited to have Williams on board. His team is currently in fourth place with 15 games remaining and was in need of an impact forward.

“Coach Simpson was adamant that they needed a forward who could bring a lot of energy and also have the potential to produce a double-double on a nightly basis,” Reisman said. “I told him Eric was a no-brainer because he was fresh off a great season in Cuxhaven and was in great shape and ready to play. I told him he's a guy who brings it every night. As soon as he heard that, he wanted to get Eric over there immediately.”

Williams is one of 23 Tarleton players to turn pro since 2000. Reisman said hard work has led to the constant improvement that has made basketball a legitimate career choice for the former Texan.

“I'm very excited for Eric,” he said. “He truly represents the fact that hard work indeed pays off.”