It was a softball question, an easy one to start the first official offseason interview with an Ohio State men’s basketball player. But after all that Kam Williams has seen, there wasn’t an easy answer.

Now preparing for his fifth and final season with the Buckeyes, Williams was asked about the new guy — presumably coach Chris Holtmann, who has been on the job less than a month.

“Which one?” Williams asked.

It was a fair point. As the dean of the team, Williams has seen it all. From players quitting the team to others transferring to others leaving for the NBA to others just leaving and going undrafted, Williams has remained. And now with a new coach and one final season to prepare for, Williams said Thursday afternoon in Value City Arena that he’s committed to leaving the best mark possible.

It starts with ensuring that everyone on the roster, regardless of how thin it is, is “10 toes in,” as he put it.

“I’d definitely say the vibe has definitely changed, in my opinion,” Williams said. “Everyone has a specific goal in mind and that’s basketball. That’s getting in the gym, that’s getting better, being coachable no matter what coach says.”

Ohio State has only two recruited guards on the roster: Williams, who has been a shooting guard during his career, and junior point guard C.J. Jackson. This offseason, Williams said his on-court preparation has exclusively been focused on improving his ball-handling and learning how to change speeds while directing the offense.

Early interactions with Holtmann and his staff have been encouraging, he said, with an emphasis on learning about one another away from the court.

“It’s a totally different dynamic,” Williams said. “We’re still trying to feel each other out with what each side likes and doesn’t like, but I think it’s been pretty good.”

A career 39 percent three-point shooter who has averaged 7.6 points per game, Williams saw his scoring and shooting percentages in Big Ten play slump last season as teams adjusted to his game. Part of his hope is that an increased role handling the ball will result in a more well-rounded game and more varied scoring opportunities.

He declared for the NBA draft but did not hire an agent, clearing his path to return to Ohio State after getting feedback on what in his game needs to be improved.

In turn, Williams is aiming to enjoy this season more than he has years past.

“I will never quit and I will never say die, and that’s the attitude that I feel has gotten me to this point,” he said. “I’m still here. There’s a lot of people that have come and gone, and I feel like I’m still here for a reason.”

ajardy@dispatch.com

@AdamJardy