Entity
Hall of Famer
Justin Williams tries to work his way into the NBA
An AP Member Exchange Feature By SCOTT ALLEN
Casper Star-Tribune
CASPER, Wyo. - For a reminder of where he was and where he again wants to be, Justin Williams need look no further than his jersey.
The former Wyoming standout is the starting center for the NBA D-League's Dakota Wizards, whose purple uniforms are strikingly similar to those of the Sacramento Kings. Williams signed as an undrafted free agent with Sacramento in July, but was waived before the regular season began.
Based on his numbers through eight games with Dakota, Williams could earn another shot at the next level soon. Williams is averaging 12 points, 11.8 rebounds and 3.25 blocks per game for the 6-2 Wizards, who are based in Bismarck, N.D.
His agent, Darren White, said things are looking up for the Chicago native.
"The way things are going, I think he'll be one of the first players to be called up," White said.
While Dakota is officially affiliated with the NBA's Washington Wizards and Chicago Bulls, Williams can be called up by any one of the NBA's 30 teams. It is common for teams to wait to call up players until Jan. 5, the first day that players can be signed to 10-day contracts. Last season, only one of the D-League's 18 call-ups occurred before Jan. 5.
White didn't expect Williams would be in his present situation when he signed a partially guaranteed, one-year contract with Sacramento on July 24. But Williams became expendable when the Kings signed veteran big man Maurice Taylor, and White said he thought Sacramento's decision to waive Williams was also, at least in part, a cost-cutting measure.
"I think that that was more of a business decision than it was Justin," White said. "I think he had an excellent training camp based on the minutes that he played."
Sacramento head coach Eric Musselman admitted as much in an interview on the Kings' team Web site shortly before the Kings waived Williams.
"He is a guy that the odds are stacked against him based on guaranteed contracts," Musselman said. "All he can do is play as hard as he can play, and that's what he has done."
White said Williams had plenty of opportunities to play overseas, where the money is often better but the odds of being plucked by an NBA team are slim. Ultimately, White told Williams he should do what he does best - rebound and defend - while continuing to develop his offensive game in the D-League, and NBA teams would take notice.
"I think that was the reason why he wanted to play in the D-League," White said. "He feels that he's right there."
this comes from http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sports/16321912.htm
An AP Member Exchange Feature By SCOTT ALLEN
Casper Star-Tribune
CASPER, Wyo. - For a reminder of where he was and where he again wants to be, Justin Williams need look no further than his jersey.
The former Wyoming standout is the starting center for the NBA D-League's Dakota Wizards, whose purple uniforms are strikingly similar to those of the Sacramento Kings. Williams signed as an undrafted free agent with Sacramento in July, but was waived before the regular season began.
Based on his numbers through eight games with Dakota, Williams could earn another shot at the next level soon. Williams is averaging 12 points, 11.8 rebounds and 3.25 blocks per game for the 6-2 Wizards, who are based in Bismarck, N.D.
His agent, Darren White, said things are looking up for the Chicago native.
"The way things are going, I think he'll be one of the first players to be called up," White said.
While Dakota is officially affiliated with the NBA's Washington Wizards and Chicago Bulls, Williams can be called up by any one of the NBA's 30 teams. It is common for teams to wait to call up players until Jan. 5, the first day that players can be signed to 10-day contracts. Last season, only one of the D-League's 18 call-ups occurred before Jan. 5.
White didn't expect Williams would be in his present situation when he signed a partially guaranteed, one-year contract with Sacramento on July 24. But Williams became expendable when the Kings signed veteran big man Maurice Taylor, and White said he thought Sacramento's decision to waive Williams was also, at least in part, a cost-cutting measure.
"I think that that was more of a business decision than it was Justin," White said. "I think he had an excellent training camp based on the minutes that he played."
Sacramento head coach Eric Musselman admitted as much in an interview on the Kings' team Web site shortly before the Kings waived Williams.
"He is a guy that the odds are stacked against him based on guaranteed contracts," Musselman said. "All he can do is play as hard as he can play, and that's what he has done."
White said Williams had plenty of opportunities to play overseas, where the money is often better but the odds of being plucked by an NBA team are slim. Ultimately, White told Williams he should do what he does best - rebound and defend - while continuing to develop his offensive game in the D-League, and NBA teams would take notice.
"I think that was the reason why he wanted to play in the D-League," White said. "He feels that he's right there."
this comes from http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sports/16321912.htm
