Deron Williams
Utah Jazz legend and three-time NBA All-Star.
Deron Michael Williams (born June 26, 1984) is an American former professional basketball player. He played college basketball for the Illinois Fighting Illini before being drafted third overall in the 2005 NBA draft by the Utah Jazz. A three-time NBA All-Star with the Jazz and Brooklyn Nets, Williams also played for Beşiktaş of the Turkish Basketball League during the 2011 NBA lockout, and was a two-time gold medalist for the United States men's national basketball team, participating in the 2008 and 2012 Summer Olympics. In 2025, Williams was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame as a member of the Redeem Team.
Quick Facts
- Draft year
- 2005
- Position
- Point Guard
- Jersey number
- 8
- All-star selections
- 3 (with Jazz)
- Tenure
- 2005–2011
- Trade destination
- New Jersey Nets
Lore & Background
Williams was born in Parkersburg, West Virginia. He won two state wrestling championships in elementary and middle school. He attended The Colony High School in The Colony, Texas, leading his team to the Class 5A state semifinals as a junior and senior. He played college basketball at the University of Illinois, starting 30 of 32 games as a freshman. As a junior, he led the Fighting Illini to the NCAA championship game, where they lost to North Carolina. He was a consensus Second Team All-American and First Team All-Big Ten. Williams was drafted third overall by the Utah Jazz in 2005. He was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team and finished his rookie season averaging 10.8 points and 4.5 assists per game. In his second season, he improved to 16.2 points and 9.3 assists per game, leading the Jazz to the Western Conference Finals. In the 2007–08 season, he averaged 18.8 points and 10.5 assists per game and won the NBA Skills Challenge. He was traded to the New Jersey Nets in July 2011.
Did You Know?
- He led the Illinois Fighting Illini to the NCAA championship game in 2005, hitting a game-tying three-pointer and a go-ahead three in overtime against Arizona.
- In the 2007 playoffs, Williams helped the Jazz reach the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 1998.
- He recorded a career-high 21 assists in a game against the Memphis Grizzlies in January 2007.
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