VANCOUVER - Name the top four scorers on the Vancouver Grizzlies since March 1. There's Shareef, Big Country and Peeler. Who's next? Greg Anthony? Nope. Blue Edwards? Is he even on the team any more? Roy Rogers? Get serious.

It's a little known power forward out of Xavier by the name of Aaron Williams. He's been up, he's been down, he's been all around the world in his quest for respect. And he's finally finding it in Vancouver.

Williams spent the 1994-95 season with the Milwaukee Bucks but saw action in only 15 games. He's also had brief stints with Utah and Denver, not to mention Greece and Italy. But it was in the CBA that Stu Jackson found a replacement for the injured George Lynch.

Williams was toiling for the Connecticut Pride, leading the league in rebounding and blocked shots, when he was signed on Jan. 29 by the talent- thin Grizzlies. He's shown steady improvement since, not to mention the strength, hustle and leaping ability that drives fans wild.

``What you find out about Aaron,'' says Jackson, ``is most times when he steps on the floor, he's either the best or the second best athlete out there. He's got some areas where he needs to improve, but, boy, he sure can make some athletic plays.''

Since March, Williams has averaged 8.4 points on 57 per cent shooting and 5.9 rebounds in only 23 minutes per contest.

Bill Fitch was so impressed after his first encounter with Williams, he asked reporters, ``Where did this guy come from? We've been looking for a big guy like him all year.''

Eddie Jones wanted him for the Lakers. ``Hopefully in the off-season somebody can make some deals and get him for us.''

While some players and coaches are just now starting to sing his praises, this 25-year-old has been impressing others of his peers for years.

Williams takes a philosophical view of his circuitous route to a regular NBA gig. ``Maybe I was meant to go through the CBA,'' he says.

While it lasts, Aaron Williams wants to continue doing all the little things that coaches and fans love. ``Right now I'm just trying to bring a little energy into the game, maybe some shot-blocking, defence, whatever the coach needs me to do. I'm more than willing to do it.''

And the Grizzlies are more than willing to let him. In fact, they could do with a few more just like him.

Spirit of the West will appear regularly throughout the NBA season.