Jayson Williams facts for kids

Jayson Williams (born February 22, 1968) is a former professional basketball player from the United States. He played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for 11 seasons. Most of his career was with the New Jersey Nets.

He started his NBA journey with the Philadelphia 76ers. Later, he became an All-Star player in 1998. Jayson Williams was honored by being inducted into the New York City Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016.

Early Life and Education

Jayson Williams was born in Ritter, South Carolina. His parents were Elijah Joshua "EJ" Williams and Barbara Williams. His family background includes Polish, Italian, and African-American heritage.

When he was twelve, Williams moved to Brooklyn, New York. He attended Christ The King Regional High School and St. John's University. He played basketball for both his high school and college teams.

Professional Basketball Career

Jayson Williams was chosen by the Phoenix Suns in the first round of the 1990 NBA draft. He was the 21st player picked overall. Soon after, his draft rights were traded to the Philadelphia 76ers.

He played for the 76ers for two seasons. Then, in 1992, he was traded to the New Jersey Nets. For his first three seasons with the Nets, he mostly played as a reserve.

Becoming a Starter

Williams earned a full-time starting position in the 1996–97 season. He quickly showed his talent on the court. In the first game of the next season, he set a team record. He grabbed 17 offensive rebounds, totaling 20 rebounds in one game. This was a big win against the Indiana Pacers.

During the 1997–98 season, Williams was named an All-Star. He was the best in the league at offensive rebounds. He also ranked high in total rebounds and rebounds per game.

Career-Ending Injury

Jayson Williams' basketball career ended suddenly on April 1, 1999. He broke his right leg during a game against the Atlanta Hawks. This happened after a collision with his teammate, Stephon Marbury.

The next day, Williams had surgery on his leg. A plate and five screws were put in to help it heal. He missed the entire 1999–2000 season. On June 28, 2000, at age 32, he officially announced his retirement. He had played for 11 seasons.

In 2005, he briefly returned to play. He joined the Idaho Stampede in the Continental Basketball Association.

Beyond Basketball

After his NBA career, Jayson Williams explored other interests. He became involved in professional indoor lacrosse.

Lacrosse Team Owner

Williams was the main owner of the New Jersey Storm. This team played in the National Lacrosse League (NLL). The team played for two seasons, in 2002 and 2003. After that, the team moved to Anaheim, California. It became known as the Anaheim Storm. The team stopped playing before the 2006 season.

Writing Books

Jayson Williams also became an author. In 2001, he published a book called Loose Balls: Easy Money, Hard Fouls, Cheap Laughs and True Love in the NBA. This book shared his funny stories and experiences from his time in the NBA.

In December 2018, he published another book. It was titled Crashing: A Memoir.

Personal Life and Family

Jayson Williams has been married and has children. In 1996, he proposed to model Cynthia Bailey during a basketball game. They later went their separate ways.

He married Kellie Batiste in 1999. Later, he married Tanya Young in 2000. They had two daughters together. His father, Elijah Joshua Williams, passed away in November 2009 at age 76.

Legacy and Honors

Jayson Williams has been recognized for his contributions to basketball. He was inducted into the New York City Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016.

In 2023, he was also inducted into the athletics Hall of Fame at St. John's University. These honors celebrate his successful career and impact on the sport.

NBA Career Statistics

Regular season

Playoffs

See also

In Spanish: Jayson Williams para niños