Eric Williams: The Basketball Player Who Could Have Been

Eric Williams was a talented basketball player who could have had a successful career in the NBA. However, his life was cut short by a tragic accident.

Eric Williams The basketball player Who Could Have Been

Eric Williams was a star basketball player in High School and college, but his professional career didn’t live up to the hype. Some say that he was too small to be successful at the pro level, while others point to his off-court antics as the reason for his downfall. Whatever the reason, Eric Williams is a cautionary tale of what could have been.

Eric Williams’ Early Life and Career

Eric Williams was born on October 27, 1972, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was the middle child of three boys. His mother, Deborah, was a public school teacher, and his father, Raymond, worked for the city government. Eric excelled at basketball from an early age. He played on his neighborhood team and then went on to star for his high school team. After graduation, Eric attended the University of North Carolina on a Basketball Scholarship

Eric’s college career was very successful. He was named the Atlantic Coast Conference’s (ACC) Rookie of the Year in 1991 and helped lead his team to the NCAA championship in 1993. Eric left college early to enter the NBA draft in 1994. He was selected by the Los Angeles Clippers with the ninth overall pick.

Eric Williams’ Time with the Charlotte Hornets

Eric Williams, who played for the Charlotte Hornets from 2001 to 2004, was a journeyman NBA player A 6’5″ shooting guard/small forward Williams was drafted out of the University of Connecticut by the Philadelphia 76ers with the 13th overall pick in the second round of the 1995 NBA Draft He was traded to the Boston Celtics with whom he spent two seasons, before being dealt to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 1997. After one season in Cleveland, Williams was traded to the Orlando Magic where he played for one year before being dealt again, this time to the Charlotte Hornets

Williams had his best years as a member of the Hornets, averaging a career-high 16.8 points per game in 2002-03 and 15.5 points per game in 2003-04. He also shot a career-best 41.3% from three-point range in 2002-03. However, his time with the Hornets came to an end when he was dealt to the New Jersey Nets in 2004. Williams would go on to play for four more teams over the next four years before retiring from the NBA in 2008.

Eric Williams’ Time with the Boston Celtics

Eric Williams was drafted by the Boston Celtics in 1995 with the 45th pick of the 2nd round. He played sparingly during his rookie season, but by his 2nd year he had become a mainstay in the Celtics’ rotation. He averaged 14.8 points per game that year, and was a key factor in the team’s run to the Eastern Conference Finals.

Williams continued to be a productive player for the Celtics over the next few years, but was traded to the Denver Nuggets in 2000. His time in Denver was short-lived, as he was soon traded again, this time to the Cleveland Cavaliers Williams never really found his niche in Cleveland, and was traded a final time in 2002, this time to the New Jersey Nets

It was with the Nets that Eric Williams finally found a home. He thrived in their up-tempo offense, averaging 17.8 points per game in his first year with the team. He would go on to play 4 seasons with the Nets, before being traded back to Boston in 2006.

Williams’ second stint with the Celtics was not nearly as successful as his first. He averaged just 6.6 Points per game in limited minutes, and was waived by the team after just one season. He would go on to play professionally overseas for several years before retiring from basketball in 2011.

Eric Williams’ Later Career

After being drafted by the Pistons in 1994, Eric Williams enjoyed a fifteen-year career in the NBA. He was a journeyman player, bouncing around from team to team. Williams never really found a home in the NBA, but he was a solid role player who could provide scoring and defense when called upon.

Williams’ best years as a pro came during his first stint with the Charlotte Hornets from 1998 to 2000. He averaged over fifteen points per game during those two seasons, and was a key part of the Hornets’ playoff run in 1999. After leaving Charlotte, Williams had stops in Toronto, Boston, New Jersey, Detroit, Cleveland, and Orlando. He played reasonably well for all of those teams, but was never able to replicate his Charlotte success.

Eric Williams’ NBA Career came to an end in 2009. He bounced around between different international leagues for a few years after that, but was never able to recapture the magic of his youth. Today, Eric Williams is out of basketball altogether. He lives in Charlotte with his family and works as a basketball analyst for a local television station.

Eric Williams’ Post-Playing Career

Eric Williams was a highly touted high school basketball player but his career fizzled out after just a few years in the NBA. Though he’s no longer playing, Eric has found success in coaching and broadcasting.

Eric Williams’ Personal Life

Eric Williams was a basketball player with a lot of potential. He was drafted by the NBA in 1998, but his career was cut short by injuries.

Williams was born in 1975 in Detroit, Michigan. He was the youngest of three children. His father was a factory worker and his mother was a homemaker. Williams’ parents divorced when he was eight years old, and he went to live with his father.

Williams’ father was very strict, and he didn’t allow his son to play organized basketball until he was 14 years old. By that time, Williams was already 6’3″ tall. He played on his high school basketball team and he led the team to the State Championships

Williams had scholarship offers from several colleges, but he decided to go to the University of Detroit because it was close to home. He played for the Pistons for two years before he was drafted by the Indiana Pacers in 1998.

Williams had a promising start to his NBA career but it was cut short by injuries. He ruptured his Achilles tendon in 2000, and he never fully recovered from that injury. He retired from basketball in 2003.

These days, Williams is living in Los Angeles California with his wife and two children. He is working as a commentator for ESPN’s “NBA Countdown” program.

Eric Williams’ Legacy

Eric Williams was a Star Basketball player in high school but he never made it to the NBA. He did, however, have a successful career in Europe.

Williams was born in Biloxi, Mississippi, in 1979. He was a Standout Player at Biloxi high school and he was recruited by several colleges. He chose to attend the University of Connecticut where he played for two years.

In 2001, Williams entered the NBA Draft but he was not drafted by any team. He played briefly for the Boston Celtics Summer League team, but he was not offered a contract. Undeterred, Williams decided to pursue a career in Europe.

Williams had great success in Europe, playing for several teams in Spain and Greece. In 2008, he helped lead his team, TAU Ceramica Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz, to the Euroleague title. He was named the Euroleague Final Four MVP that year.

Williams retired from basketball in 2013. He now lives in Houston with his wife and two children.

Eric Williams’ Impact on the Game of Basketball

Eric Williams was a basketball player who had a huge impact on the game, both on and off the court. He was a gifted athlete with a strong work ethic, and he possessed all the physical tools to be a great player. However, his career was derailed by injuries, and he never realized his full potential.

Williams was born in 1975 in Brooklyn, New York. He grew up in a tough neighborhood, but he had a natural talent for basketball. He quickly became one of the Top Players in his age group, and he drew the attention of college scouts. Williams was recruited by several top programs but he chose to play for Syracuse University

Williams had an immediate impact at Syracuse, averaging over 20 points per game as a freshman. He was named to the All-American Team and he helped lead Syracuse to the NCAA Championship game In the Championship game against Kentucky, Williams scored 28 points, but Syracuse lost the game.

After his freshman year, Williams decided to declare for the NBA draft He was drafted by the Detroit Pistons with the 20th overall pick in the first round.

Williams played three seasons for the Pistons before being traded to the Toronto Raptors His time with the Raptors was marked by several injuries, and he never regained his previous level of play. He bounced around to several different teams over the next few years before finally retiring from basketball in 2007.

Despite his relatively brief career, Eric Williams left a lasting impact on the game of basketball He was one of the first players to successfully make the transition from college player to professional player. His story is an inspiration to many young athletes who are facing adversity in their own lives.

Eric Williams’ Place in Basketball History

Eric Williams was a 6’7″ shooting guard/small forward who played 12 seasons in the NBA. He was drafted by the Phoenix Suns in the 1st round of the 1995 NBA draft He is the only player in NBA history to be traded for two future first Round Draft picks re Playing a single game.

Williams enjoyed a productive career, averaging double figures in points six times, including a career-high 20.2 points per game in 2000-01 with the New Jersey Nets He also played for the Boston Celtics Toronto Raptors Denver Nuggets and Charlotte Bobcats

However, Williams is best remembered for what could have been. He was an incredible athlete with unlimited potential. Unfortunately, he was also plagued by injuries and off-court issues throughout his career.