Ronnie Williams (basketball) facts for kids
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | April 29, 1962 Queens, New York, U.S. |
| Died | November 7, 2021 (aged 59) New York City, New York, U.S. |
| High school | St. John's Military Academy (Delafield, Wisconsin) |
| Listed height | 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) |
| Listed weight | 240 lb (109 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College | Florida (1980–1984) |
| NBA Draft | 1984 / Round: 2 / Pick: 47th overall |
| Selected by the Boston Celtics | |
| Pro career | 1984–1988 |
| Career history | |
| 1984–1985 | Tampa Bay Thrillers |
| 1985–1986 | Pensacola Tornados |
| 1986–1987 | Jacksonville Jets |
| 1987 | Palm Beach Stingrays |
| 1987–1988 | Mississippi Jets |
| 1988 | Palm Beach Stingrays |
| Career highlights and awards | |
Ronnie Williams (born April 29, 1962 – died November 7, 2021) was an American professional basketball player. He was known for his time playing college basketball with the Florida Gators. Later, he played professionally in leagues like the Continental Basketball Association (CBA) and the United States Basketball League (USBL).
Contents
Early Life and High School Years
Ronnie Williams grew up and went to high school at St. John's Military Academy in Delafield, Wisconsin. This is where he first showed his amazing basketball skills.
College Basketball Career
Ronnie Williams was a star player for the Florida Gators. An assistant coach, Monte Towe, first saw Williams playing in a summer league in Harlem. This led to Williams joining the Gators team.
Becoming a Gators Star Player
Williams was a standout player for the Gators. He was chosen for the All-Southeastern Conference (SEC) team four times during his college career. This means he was one of the best players in his college league for four years in a row.
He led the Gators in scoring every single season he played. Ronnie Williams still holds several records for the Florida Gators. These records include the most points scored, the most successful shots made, and the most free throws made and attempted.
A Brief Suspension Period
During the 1982–83 season, Ronnie Williams and three of his teammates faced a temporary suspension. This was due to an issue involving unauthorized phone calls. The players were required to pay back the phone company. They also had to show good behavior for one year.
Professional Basketball Journey
After college, Ronnie Williams was chosen by the Boston Celtics in the 1984 NBA draft. He was the 47th player picked overall. However, he never played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for the Celtics.
Playing in Other Leagues
Instead, Williams played in other professional leagues. He played in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA) for teams like the Tampa Bay Thrillers, the Pensacola Tornados, and the Mississippi Jets.
He also played for the Palm Beach Stingrays in the United States Basketball League (USBL) in both 1987 and 1988. Ronnie Williams decided to retire from playing basketball in 1988.
Life After Basketball
After his basketball career, Ronnie Williams dedicated his time to helping young people. He worked for over 20 years at a juvenile detention center in Brooklyn. He was also a father to six children.
His Passing
Ronnie Williams passed away on November 7, 2021, in New York City. He had been battling brain cancer for two years.
