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Jay Williams... Coming Back?

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aurorabuckeye13

aurorabuckeye13

Heisman
I remember him playing in college and I thought he would be a very good pro. Would be an excellent story if he comes back to play at all, and especially if he experiences the success he was predicted to have had.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/basketball/nba/06/02/bc.bkn.raptors.williams.ap/index.html

TORONTO (AP) -- Jay Williams thinks he's ready to return to the NBA after sitting out three years while recovering from a motorcycle crash.
Williams, the former No. 2 NBA draft pick, is in Toronto working out for the Raptors, and likes what he sees in the young team and new general manager Bryan Colangelo.
"The thing I like about Toronto is the winning atmosphere," said Williams. "Guys want to win, guys want to be great players, and you can't say that about every franchise. They're definitely on the right path there to getting better.
"I love the style [Colangelo] brings to the team," he added. "We worked a lot pushing the ball, he wants to play that kind of fast tempo. And you've guys like Chris Bosh on your wing and Mo Pete can stretch out the defense, and [Charlie] Villanueva can shoot the ball, the possibilities are exciting."
In June 2003, Williams crashed his new motorcycle into a light pole, fracturing his pelvis, tearing knee ligaments and damaging nerves in his left leg. He hasn't played in the NBA since.
The Chicago Bulls, who drafted Williams, honored one year of his contract even though he violated a standard clause. They waived him in February of 2004 after reaching a settlement on the remaining two years. The buyout was reportedly worth about $3 million.
Jim Kelly, the Raptors' director of player personnel, said while Williams is "very fit," it remains to be seen whether he's ready to return to the NBA.
"He's pressing for that, but to be honest, we haven't seen him in a full-court game," said Kelly.
Williams insists he's good to go.
"I actually think I'm ready to play now."
Copyright 2006 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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An interview with Jay Williams: http://www.draftexpress.com/viewarticle.php?a=1323

An interview with Marcus Williams, who has worked out with Jay:
http://www.draftexpress.com/viewarticle.php?a=1322

If Jay was in this year's draft, where do you think he'd go?

Marcus: He'd be one of the top point guards, I think. His work ethic, his quickness, his drive to make it back to the NBA is just great. He's got to get his lateral movement up a little, but his jumpshot is his strength. the rest of his game is sweet.
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Also, the results of Jay/Marcus Williams' workouts: http://www.draftexpress.com/viewarticle.php?a=1321

I would love for him to make a comeback, seeing as how he was so highly touted coming out of college (remember Dicky V calling this diaper dandy the undisputed #1 pick of the 2002 draft...and how the Rockets were stupid to NOT take him?). The thing is, I always thought his jumpshot was one of the weaker points of his game...and he never relied too heavily on quickness to begin with...so he should be good...
 
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Link

Williams' NBA comeback cut short by Nets

October 23, 2006
the associated press
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Jay Williams'
quest to return to the NBA some three years after a horrible motorcycle accident was put on hold Sunday when the New Jersey Nets waived the point guard less than two weeks before the start of the season.
A former national player of the year at Duke, Williams signed a non-guaranteed contract with the Nets just before training camp. He averaged 3.8 points and 13.2 minutes in five preseason games. He also stayed healthy during training camp when other players were missing days here and there with injuries.
But it was obvious that the Bulls' No. 2 pick in 2002 has not found the quickness that made him an exceptional player.
His career appeared to end on June 19, 2003, when he crashed his motorcycle into a light pole in Chicago, fracturing his pelvis, tearing knee ligaments and suffering nerve damage in his left leg.
 
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Dispatch

PRO BASKETBALL
Former Duke star makes detour to minor leagues
Sunday, December 10, 2006
Brian Mahoney
ASSOCIATED PRESS
20061210-Pc-E2-0800.jpg
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Jay Williams is resuming his comeback in the NBA?s developmental league.
Still trying to make it back from severe injuries suffered in a motorcycle accident three years ago, Williams signed Friday with the Austin Toros and has begun practicing with the team.
After being waived by the New Jersey Nets in October, Williams considered offers to play in Europe before deciding his best chance to get back to the NBA was by staying in the United States and playing with the NBA?s minor league.
"It?s really not about the money, it?s not about going over there to make money," Williams said. "It?s more about me trying to fulfill my dream."
Williams will play for former Celtics point guard Dennis Johnson. He said the most important thing is regaining the confidence he lost from sitting out for so long and not seeing the results he was used to.
"I think the big thing to me is I just need to play," Williams said. "Things would be going really good, and then just as quick as I was doing well, I would do really bad. A lot of it is confidence."
Williams averaged 3.8 points and 13.2 minutes in five exhibition games for the Nets.
At Duke, Williams was the 2002 NCAA player of the year and the No. 2 overall pick in the draft that year. He averaged 9.5 points and 4.7 assists as a rookie for the Chicago Bulls.
His career appeared to end on June 19, 2003, when he crashed his motorcycle into a light pole in Chicago, fracturing his pelvis, tearing knee ligaments and suffering nerve damage in his left leg. The damage was so severe, doctors thought they might have to amputate his leg. He was in a hospital for 3 1 /2 months.
The Toros (0-6) are off until a game Thursday at Dakota. "I?m coming there shooting all my bullets," Williams said.
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