Frank Williams (basketball) facts for kids
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | February 25, 1980 Peoria, Illinois |
| Nationality | American |
| High school | Manual (Peoria, Illinois) |
| Listed height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
| Listed weight | 212 lb (96 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College | Illinois (1999–2002) |
| NBA Draft | 2002 / Round: 1 / Pick: 25th overall |
| Selected by the Denver Nuggets | |
| Pro career | 2002–2010 |
| Career history | |
| 2002–2004 | New York Knicks |
| 2004–2005 | Chicago Bulls |
| 2006–2007 | Sioux Falls Skyforce |
| 2007–2008 | Scafati Basket |
| 2008–2009 | Sioux Falls Skyforce |
| 2009 | Unión de Santa Fe |
| 2009–2010 | Ciclista Olímpico |
| Career highlights and awards | |
Frank Lowell Williams (born February 25, 1980) is an American former professional basketball player. He played as a point guard. Frank was chosen by the Denver Nuggets in the 2002 NBA draft. He was the 25th player picked overall.
In 2004, Frank Williams was honored by being named to the University of Illinois All-Century Team. This team celebrates the best players in the university's history.
Contents
Early Life and High School Basketball
Frank Williams grew up in Peoria, Illinois. He went to Manual High School. His high school team was one of the best in the country.
Frank led his team to the state basketball championships twice. This was in 1996 and 1997. He was named to the All-Tournament team both times. In 1998, as a senior, Frank was named Illinois Mr. Basketball. This award goes to the best high school player in Illinois.
College Career at Illinois
After high school, Frank Williams played basketball for the University of Illinois. He played for three seasons with the Fighting Illini under coach Bill Self. Frank helped his team reach the NCAA Tournament multiple times.
In the 2000-2001 season, Frank was named the Big Ten Player of the Year. He also received the Chicago Tribune Silver Basketball award. At Illinois, Frank played with his high school teammates, Marcus Griffin and Sergio McClain. They were known as "The Peoria 3." In 2001, their team earned a top seed and made it to the Elite Eight in the NCAA Tournament. Frank's high school coach, Wayne McClain (Sergio's father), also became an assistant coach for the Illini.
In 2004, Frank was chosen for the "Illini Men's Basketball All-Century Team." In 2007, he was named one of the "100 Legends of the IHSA Boys Basketball Tournament." This recognized his amazing performances in the state tournament.
Professional Basketball Journey
The New York Knicks got Frank Williams in a trade on draft day in 2002. He didn't play much in his first year. He got more playing time in the first half of the 2003–04 season. However, the Knicks traded for another star player, and Frank played less.
The Chicago Bulls then acquired him in a trade. Fans in Chicago liked Frank because of his time with the Illini. They hoped he would compete for a starting spot. But he struggled with his fitness and spent most of the 2004–05 season injured. The Bulls decided not to re-sign him. Frank later signed with the Los Angeles Clippers in October 2005 but was released a few days later.
Frank Williams' last NBA game was on March 9, 2005. He played 6 minutes in a win against the Portland Trail Blazers. In total, Frank played 86 NBA games. He averaged 2.9 points and 1.9 assists per game. After his time in the NBA, he continued to play professional basketball in other leagues until 2010.
Family Life
Frank Williams has a son named Da’Monte Williams. Da’Monte also played guard for the University of Illinois basketball team.
See also
In Spanish: Frank Williams (baloncestista) para niños
