Jerome Williams (basketball) facts for kids
Williams in 2005.
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| No. 13, 11, 3 | |
|---|---|
| Power forward | |
| Personal information | |
| Born | May 10, 1973 Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| High school | Col. Zadok Magruder (Rockville, Maryland) |
| Listed height | 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) |
| Listed weight | 206 lb (93 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College |
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| NBA Draft | 1996 / Round: 1 / Pick: 26th overall |
| Selected by the Detroit Pistons | |
| Pro career | 1996–2005 |
| Career history | |
| 1996–2001 | Detroit Pistons |
| 2001–2003 | Toronto Raptors |
| 2003–2004 | Chicago Bulls |
| 2004–2005 | New York Knicks |
| Career NBA statistics | |
| Points | 3,865 (6.6 ppg) |
| Rebounds | 3,743 (6.4 rpg) |
| Steals | 618 (1.1 spg) |
Jerome Williams (born May 10, 1973) is a former professional basketball player from the United States. He was active in the NBA from 1996 to 2005. People often called him "Junkyard Dog" or "JYD" because of how hard he played. Williams played for several teams, including the Detroit Pistons, Toronto Raptors, Chicago Bulls, and the New York Knicks. During his career, he scored 3,865 points and grabbed 3,743 rebounds.
Jerome Williams' Basketball Journey
Starting Strong in High School and College
Jerome Williams was a standout player on his high school basketball team at Colonel Zadok A. Magruder High School. After high school, he played college basketball at Georgetown University. His talent led him to be chosen by the Detroit Pistons in the 1996 NBA draft. He was the 26th player picked that year.
Playing for the Detroit Pistons
Williams spent more than four years with the Detroit Pistons. He became a very important player coming off the bench. Fans loved his energy and effort on the court.
Becoming a Fan Favorite in Toronto
On February 22, 2001, Williams was traded to the Toronto Raptors. He was so excited to join his new team that he drove from Detroit to Toronto right away! He quickly became a fan favorite in Toronto. This was because of his tough and determined playing style. In the 2002–03 season, Williams had his best scoring year. He averaged 9.7 points per game, mostly as a starter.
A Movie Appearance
In 2003, Jerome Williams even appeared in a Disney Channel movie. It was called Full-Court Miracle. He played a small role in the film.
Moving to Chicago and New York
In December 2003, Williams was traded again. This time, he went to the Chicago Bulls. He played in 68 games that season, starting 44 of them. He averaged 6.2 points and 7.0 rebounds per game. In 2004, he was traded once more to the New York Knicks. In New York, he played fewer minutes, usually coming off the bench.
Retirement from the NBA
On August 15, 2005, the Knicks decided to let Williams go. This was to help them manage their team's salary costs. Less than two days later, Williams announced he was retiring from playing basketball. He played in 587 games over nine seasons in the NBA. He averaged 6.6 points and 6.4 rebounds per game throughout his career.
Life After Playing Basketball
Helping Others Through Basketball
After retiring, Jerome Williams continued to be involved with basketball. He joined the NBA's "Basketball Without Borders" program. This program helps teach basketball and brings resources to young people in different countries. When he returned to Toronto as a player for other teams, fans always gave him a warm welcome.
The "Junkyard Dog" Nickname
His famous nickname, "Junk Yard Dog" or "JYD", was given to him by Rick Mahorn. This was during his early days with the Detroit Pistons. It described his hard work and hustle on the court.
Working with the Toronto Raptors Again
On January 25, 2006, Williams rejoined the Toronto Raptors. He became their community representative. This role allowed him to connect with fans and the community.
Coaching and Youth Development
Williams also spent time coaching. He was the head coach for the Findlay Prep basketball team for a year. He later became the President of The Young3. This organization holds 3-on-3 basketball tournaments for young people aged 9–14. He also works with other basketball legends on a program called Shooting For Peace. This program uses basketball to help educate young people across North America.
See also
In Spanish: Jerome Williams para niños
