Derrick Williams (basketball)

Derrick LeRon Williams (born May 25, 1991) is an American professional basketball player for Valencia Basket of the Liga ACB and the EuroLeague. He was selected with the second overall pick by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2011 NBA draft.

Derrick Williams
Williams with Fenerbahçe in 2019
No. 21 – Valencia Basket
PositionPower forward
LeagueLiga ACB
EuroLeague
Personal information
Born (1991-05-25) May 25, 1991
Bellflower, California
NationalityAmerican
Listed height6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
Listed weight240 lb (109 kg)
Career information
High schoolLa Mirada (La Mirada, California)
CollegeArizona (2009–2011)
NBA draft2011 / Round: 1 / Pick: 2nd overall
Selected by the Minnesota Timberwolves
Playing career2011–present
Career history
2011–2013Minnesota Timberwolves
2013–2015Sacramento Kings
2015–2016New York Knicks
2016–2017Miami Heat
2017Cleveland Cavaliers
2017–2018Tianjin Gold Lions
2018Los Angeles Lakers
2018–2019Bayern Munich
2019–2020Fenerbahçe
2020–presentValencia
Career highlights and awards
Stats  at NBA.com
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com

Early life

Williams was born in Bellflower, California and graduated from La Mirada High School.[1]

College career

Williams originally committed to play at the University of Southern California.[2] He was quickly recruited by first-year head coach Sean Miller at the University of Arizona.

Freshman year

As a freshman Williams averaged 15.7 points per game and was named a freshman All-American and the Pac-10 Freshman of the Year.[3][4]

Freshman year honors:

  • All-Pac-10 first team

Sophomore year
Williams with Arizona in 2011

Williams rose to national prominence in his sophomore year. He averaged 19.5 points and 8.3 rebounds per game. During the 2011 season, Williams led the NCAA in True Shooting percentage (.690) and Effective Field Goal percentage (.650), helping lead the Arizona Wildcats basketball team to a regular season PAC-10 championship. Williams was named the Pac-10 Player of the Year.[5]

Williams also contributed to the Wildcats' run in the NCAA men's basketball tournament. He made a critical block with less than 2 seconds against Memphis.[6] He had a 3-point play against the Texas Longhorns, which advanced the Wildcats to the Sweet 16 of the 2011 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament.[7] Williams then had a career-high 32 points along with 13 rebounds to lead Arizona in an upset victory over the #1-seeded Duke by a 16-point margin to advance into the Elite Eight,[8] where they fell 65–63 to the future NCAA tournament champion, Connecticut.[9] At the end of the season he was projected to be one of the top picks for the upcoming NBA draft.[10]

Sophomore year honors:

  • Pac-10 Player of the Year
  • All-Pac-10 first team[11]
  • Three time Pac-10 Player of the Week[12]
  • USBWA District IX Player of the Year[13]
  • Wooden Award's 10-player All-America team in 2011[14]
  • First-team All-American by Sports Illustrated[15]
  • Second-team by the Associated Press in 2011.[16]
  • Second-team by Sporting News[17]
  • Second-team by the United States Basketball Writers Association[18]
  • Second-team by the National Association of Basketball Coaches[19]
  • Second-team by Fox Sports.[20]

Professional career

Minnesota Timberwolves (2011–2013)

Williams announced that he would declare for the NBA draft on April 13, 2011.[21] He was selected with the second overall pick by the Timberwolves in the 2011 NBA draft. During the NBA lockout of 2011, he spent the summer at the University of Arizona taking summer classes to finish his degree.[22] Shortly after the draft, Under Armour signed an endorsement deal with Williams.[23] Williams joined several other NBA players for an exhibition game in the Philippines during the summer of 2011.[24]

Williams participated in the 2012 Rising Stars Challenge, as well as the 2012 NBA All-Star Weekend Slam Dunk Contest.[25] Williams scored a season-high 27 points on February 28, 2012, in a win over the Los Angeles Clippers. He made 9 of 10 shots from the field and 4 of 4 from three-point range.[26] He led the Timberwolves to victory over the New Orleans Hornets with what was then a career-high 28 points on March 17, 2013.[27]

Sacramento Kings (2013–2015)
Williams with the Kings in 2013

On November 26, 2013, Williams was traded to the Sacramento Kings for forward Luc Mbah a Moute.[28] He made his debut on November 29, 2013, finishing with 12 points (on 6-for-13 shooting), six rebounds and four assists in a 104–96 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. On December 9, 2013, Williams scored a career-high 31 points in a victory over the Dallas Mavericks.

In the Kings' 2014–15 season finale on April 15, Williams scored a season-high 22 points in a 122–109 win over the Los Angeles Lakers.[29]

New York Knicks (2015–2016)

On July 9, 2015, Williams signed with the New York Knicks.[30] He made his debut for the Knicks in the team's season opener against the Milwaukee Bucks on October 28, scoring a game-high 24 points in a 122–97 win.[31] On January 12, 2016, he recorded his first double-double of the season with 15 points and 10 rebounds in a 120–114 win over the Boston Celtics.[32] The next day, he tied his career-high of 31 points in a loss to the Brooklyn Nets.[33]

Miami Heat (2016–2017)

On July 10, 2016, Williams signed with the Miami Heat.[34] On February 6, 2017, he was waived by the Heat after appearing in 25 games.[35]

Cleveland Cavaliers (2017)

On February 9, 2017, Williams signed a 10-day contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers.[36] That night, Williams played 22 minutes in his debut in Cleveland's 118–109 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder and scored 12 points, going 3-for-3 from the field and 6-for-8 from the free throw line.[37] He went on to sign a second 10-day contract on February 22,[38] and then a rest-of-season contract on March 4.[39] The Cavaliers reached the 2017 NBA Finals, where they were beaten in five games by the Golden State Warriors.[40][41]

Tianjin Gold Lions (2017–2018)

On December 28, 2017, Williams signed with the Tianjin Gold Lions of the Chinese Basketball Association.[42][43] In 15 games for Tianjin between early January and early February, Williams averaged 20.0 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.7 steals per game.

Los Angeles Lakers (2018)

On March 9, 2018, Williams signed a 10-day contract with the Los Angeles Lakers.[44] After the contract expired, the Lakers decided to part ways with him.[45]

Bayern Munich (2018–2019)

On October 3, 2018, Williams signed with Bayern Munich of the Basketball Bundesliga (BBL) and the EuroLeague for the 2018–19 season.[46] In the EuroLeague, Williams averaged 13.4 points and 4.2 rebounds over 29 games.[47] In the BBL, Williams won the championship with Bayern after defeating Alba Berlin in the BBL Finals.

Fenerbahçe (2019–2020)

On July 18, 2019, Fenerbahçe announced that Williams had signed a one-year contract with the Turkish club.[48]

Valencia (2020–present)

On July 8, 2020, he has signed with Valencia Basket of the Spanish Liga ACB.[49]

Career statistics
Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

Regular season
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2011–12 Minnesota 661521.5.412.268.6974.7.6.5.58.8
2012–13 Minnesota 785624.6.430.332.7065.5.6.6.512.0
2013–14 Minnesota 11014.7.352.133.8752.4.1.4.44.9
2013–14 Sacramento 671524.7.437.286.7084.4.8.7.28.5
2014–15 Sacramento 74619.8.447.314.6842.7.7.5.18.3
2015–16 New York 80917.9.450.293.7583.7.9.4.19.3
2016–17 Miami 251115.1.394.200.6202.9.6.4.25.9
2016–17 Cleveland 25017.1.505.404.6922.3.6.2.16.2
2017–18 L.A. Lakers 204.5.250.000.000.5.0.0.01.0
Career 42811220.7.434.300.7104.0.7.5.38.9

Playoffs
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2016–17 Cleveland 804.8.533.6001.000.4.5.0.12.6
Career 804.8.533.6001.000.4.5.0.12.6

Euroleague
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG PIR
2018–19 Bayern Munich 29226.0.460.333.7844.2.6.6.513.414.2
2019–20 Fenerbahçe 282026.1.487.373.6673.91.21.1.311.312.5
Career 572226.0.472.354.7424.0.9.8.412.412.9

College
CollegeYear GPGSMINSPGBPGRPGAPGPPGFG%FT%3P%
Arizona Wildcats2009–10 313128.20.60.67.10.715.7.574.681.250
Arizona Wildcats2010–11 383830.01.00.78.31.119.5.595.746.568
Career[50] 696929.20.80.77.80.917.8.586.717.425

References
  1. "Derrick Williams NBA Stats". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved January 14, 2016.
  2. "Sports Now". Los Angeles Times.
  3. Derrick Williams Named Freshman All-America Archived March 7, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. Arizonawildcats.com (March 30, 2010). Retrieved on 2012-07-09.
  4. Bryan Roy (March 8, 2010). Derrick Williams wins Pac-10 Freshman of Year. Wildcat.arizona.edu. Retrieved on 2012-07-09.
  5. Arizona Daily Wildcat – Williams named Pac-10 Player of the Year. Wildcat.arizona.edu (March 7, 2011). Retrieved on 2012-07-09.
  6. Tigers replay: Derrick Williams' block sealed Memphis' fate. Commercialappeal.com (March 19, 2011). Retrieved on 2012-07-09.
  7. Arizona vs. Texas: Wildcats Advance, Defeating Longhorns 70–69 – SB Nation Arizona. Arizona.sbnation.com. Retrieved on July 9, 2012.
  8. "Williams, Arizona trash defending champ Duke". USA Today. March 25, 2011.
  9. "Walker gets help, UConn edges Arizona for spot in Final Four". USA Today. March 27, 2011.
  10. ((espn.com))
  11. 2010-11 Pac-10 Conference Men's Basketball Honors
  12. Williams Named Pac-10 Player of the Week. Sophomore forward claims honor for third time this season. arizonawildcats.com (February 21, 2011).
  13. Williams Earns District Player-of-the-Year Kudos from USBWA – University of Arizona Wildcats Official Athletic Site Archived March 22, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. Arizonawildcats.com (March 11, 2011). Retrieved on 2012-07-09.
  14. Wooden Award. Wooden Award. Retrieved on July 9, 2012.
  15. "BYU's Fredette headlines SI.com's national awards, All-Americas". CNN. March 9, 2011.
  16. Arizona Basketball: Honors continue to pour in for Williams. Azstarnet.com (March 31, 2011). Retrieved on 2012-07-09.
  17. Jimmer Fredette named Sporting News' 2011 College Basketball Player of the Year – NCAA Basketball – Sporting News. Aol.sportingnews.com (March 22, 2011). Retrieved on 2012-07-09.
  18. USBWA > News > Men's All-America Team. Sportswriters.net (March 14, 2011). Retrieved on 2012-07-09.
  19. Williams an NABC All-American – University of Arizona Wildcats Official Athletic Site Archived March 22, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. Arizonawildcats.com (April 3, 2011). Retrieved on 2012-07-09.
  20. Goodman, Jeff (March 7, 2011). "Goodman's 2010–11 All-America teams". Fox Sports. Fox Sports Interactive Media. Archived from the original on October 26, 2013. Retrieved June 21, 2011.
  21. Derrick Williams Declares for NBA Draft – University of Arizona Wildcats Official Athletic Site Archived April 16, 2011, at the Wayback Machine. Arizonawildcats.com (April 13, 2011). Retrieved on 2012-07-09.
  22. Finley, Patrick. (July 14, 2011) Derrick Williams in Tucson during NBA lockout. Azcentral.com. Retrieved on 2012-07-09.
  23. EXCLUSIVE: Derrick Williams Speaks on Joining the Under Armour Family. Slam Online (July 20, 2011). Retrieved on 2012-07-09.
  24. Kobe Bryant: NBA vs. PBA All-Star Game Is Kobe's Playground in This Clip. Bleacher Report (July 23, 2011). Retrieved on 2012-07-09.
  25. Sprite Slam Dunk Contest | All-Star 2012 Archived February 18, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. NBA.com (February 16, 2012). Retrieved on 2012-07-09.
  26. Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Los Angeles Clippers – Box Score. Scores.espn.go.com (February 28, 2012). Retrieved on 2012-07-09.
  27. New Orleans Hornets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves – Box Score. Scores.espn.go.com (March 17, 2013). Retrieved on 2013-03-17.
  28. "KINGS ACQUIRE DERRICK WILLIAMS". NBA.com. November 26, 2013. Retrieved November 26, 2013.
  29. "Kings beat Lakers 122-99, sending LA to worst season ever". Archived from the original on June 10, 2016. Retrieved April 16, 2015.
  30. "Knicks Acquire Four Free Agents: Afflalo, R. Lopez, Williams, O'Quinn". NBA.com. July 9, 2015. Retrieved July 10, 2015.
  31. "Williams scores 24, Knicks beat Bucks 122-97 in opener". NBA.com. October 28, 2015. Archived from the original on October 26, 2015. Retrieved October 28, 2015.
  32. "Knicks hold off Celtics after Anthony sprains ankle". NBA.com. January 12, 2016. Archived from the original on January 15, 2016. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  33. "Nets beat Knicks 110-104 to end 10-game home skid". NBA.com. January 13, 2016. Archived from the original on January 16, 2016. Retrieved January 13, 2016.
  34. "HEAT Announce Free Agent Signings". NBA.com. July 10, 2016. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
  35. "HEAT RE-SIGNS OKARO WHITE". NBA.com. February 6, 2017. Retrieved February 6, 2017.
  36. "Cavs Sign Derrick Williams To 10-Day Contract". NBA.com. February 9, 2017. Retrieved February 9, 2017.
  37. McMenamin, Dave (February 9, 2017). "Derrick Williams' debut offers glimmer of hope as the Cavs' missing piece". ESPN.com. Retrieved February 10, 2017.
  38. "Cavs Sign Derrick Williams to Second 10-Day Contract". NBA.com. February 22, 2017. Retrieved February 22, 2017.
  39. "Cavs Sign Derrick Williams for Remainder of Season". NBA.com. March 4, 2017. Retrieved March 4, 2017.
  40. "Warriors Win N.B.A. Title, Avenging Themselves Against the Cavaliers". New York Times. June 13, 2017. Retrieved October 5, 2017.
  41. "NBA finals: Golden State Warriors win title against Cavaliers – as it happened". Guardian. June 13, 2017. Retrieved October 5, 2017.
  42. "Tianjin Gold Lions sign former NBA swingman Derrick Williams". ESPN.com. December 28, 2017. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
  43. "Derrick Williams signing with Tianjin Golden Lions". sportando.basketball. December 28, 2017. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
  44. "Lakers Sign Derrick Williams". NBA.com. March 9, 2018. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
  45. "Derrick Williams: 10-day contract expires". CBS Sports. March 19, 2018. Retrieved March 19, 2018.
  46. "Bayern adds size, power with Williams". EuroLeague.net. October 3, 2018. Retrieved October 3, 2018.
  47. "WILLIAMS, DERRICK - Welcome to EUROLEAGUE BASKETBALL". www.euroleague.net. Retrieved July 25, 2019.
  48. "Derrick Williams Fenerbahçe Beko'da". fenerbahce.org (in Turkish). Fenerbahçe. July 18, 2019. Retrieved July 19, 2019.
  49. "Valencia Basket reaches an agreement with Derrick Williams for next season". Valenciabasket.com. July 8, 2020. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  50. "Derrick Williams Yahoo Player Profile". May 19, 2011.
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