Robert Williams III
Robert Lee Williams III (born October 17, 1997) is an American professional basketball player for the Portland Trail Blazers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Texas A&M Aggies.
Williams with the Boston Celtics in 2021 | |
| No. 35 – Portland Trail Blazers | |
|---|---|
| Position | Center / power forward |
| League | NBA |
| Personal information | |
| Born | October 17, 1997 Shreveport, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Listed height | 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) |
| Listed weight | 237 lb (108 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | North Caddo (Vivian, Louisiana) |
| College | Texas A&M (2016–2018) |
| NBA draft | 2018: 1st round, 27th overall pick |
| Selected by the Boston Celtics | |
| Playing career | 2018–present |
| Career history | |
| 2018–2023 | Boston Celtics |
| 2018–2019 | →Maine Red Claws |
| 2023–present | Portland Trail Blazers |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
| Stats at NBA.com | |
| Stats at Basketball-Reference.com | |
Williams was drafted 27th overall in the 2018 NBA draft by the Boston Celtics. He had a breakout season in 2021–22, which saw him being named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team and reaching the NBA Finals as the Celtics' starting center.
High school career
Williams attended North Caddo High School in Vivian, Louisiana.[1] A consensus four-star recruit, he ranked 50th overall in ESPN’s Top 100 for the class of 2016[2] and was the number one prospect in the state of Louisiana.[3] He committed to Texas A&M University to play college basketball.[4][5]
College career
In his first college game, he scored five points and had five blocks and seven rebounds.[6][7] He was named SEC Defensive Player of the Year and earned 2nd Team All-SEC honors[8] after averaging 11.9 points and a team-high 8.2 rebounds per game as a freshman in 2016–17.
On March 21, despite being credited as a potential first round lottery player, Williams decided to forgo the 2017 NBA draft and stay for another season at Texas A&M.[9]
Following Texas A&M's loss in the 2018 NCAA men's basketball tournament, Williams announced his intention to forgo his final two seasons of collegiate eligibility and declare for the 2018 NBA draft, where he was expected to be a first round selection.[10] Williams was viewed as a potential lottery pick for the 2017 NBA draft and 2018 NBA draft.
Professional career
Boston Celtics (2018–2023)
Come the 2018 NBA draft, instead of being a lottery pick, Williams fell to the 27th overall pick where he was selected by the Boston Celtics due to concerns about his work ethic. On July 5, 2018, the Boston Celtics signed Williams.[11] Williams did not initially make a good impression, being criticized for showing up late and missing team functions.[12] His reputation for missing flights and video meetings caused him to earn the moniker "Time Lord" on online Boston Celtics fandoms. [13]
Williams made his professional debut on October 23, 2018, playing 4 minutes during the Celtics' loss to Orlando Magic, before being assigned to the Maine Red Claws on November 2. Throughout November and December, Williams split his time between the G League and the NBA, before starting to gain more game time with the Celtics following an injury to Al Horford. On December 11, 2018, Williams blocked two shots by NBA All Star Anthony Davis during a game against the New Orleans Pelicans.[14]
During the 2021 NBA playoffs, Williams dealt with a turf toe injury. In Game 1 of the first round against the Brooklyn Nets, Williams blocked 9 shots to set a team playoff record for blocks in a game. He also scored 11 points and grabbed 9 rebounds.[15] Despite this record, the team lost the game. The injury hobbled Williams for the remainder of the series and Williams left Game 3 with a sprained ankle after playing just 6 minutes.[16] He missed games 4 and 5, and the team lost the series 4–1.
On December 31, 2021, Williams recorded his first career triple-double, putting up 10 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists, in a 123–108 win over the Phoenix Suns.[17] On March 28, 2022, the Celtics announced that Williams had suffered a torn meniscus in his left knee and would be out indefinitely.[18] Two days later, he underwent surgery and was ruled out for at least 4-to-6 weeks.[19]
Portland Trail Blazers (2023–present)
On October 1, 2023, Williams, along with Malcolm Brogdon and two future first-round draft picks, was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for Jrue Holiday.[20]
Career statistics
| GP | Games played | GS | Games started | MPG | Minutes per game |
| FG% | Field goal percentage | 3P% | 3-point field goal percentage | FT% | Free throw percentage |
| RPG | Rebounds per game | APG | Assists per game | SPG | Steals per game |
| BPG | Blocks per game | PPG | Points per game | Bold | Career high |
NBA
Regular season
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018–19 | Boston | 32 | 2 | 8.8 | .706 | – | .600 | 2.5 | .2 | .3 | 1.3 | 2.5 |
| 2019–20 | Boston | 29 | 1 | 13.4 | .727 | – | .647 | 4.4 | .9 | .8 | 1.2 | 5.2 |
| 2020–21 | Boston | 52 | 13 | 18.9 | .721 | .000 | .616 | 6.9 | 1.8 | .8 | 1.8 | 8.0 |
| 2021–22 | Boston | 61 | 61 | 29.6 | .736 | .000 | .722 | 9.6 | 2.0 | .9 | 2.2 | 10.0 |
| 2022–23 | Boston | 35 | 20 | 23.5 | .747 | .000 | .610 | 8.3 | 1.4 | .6 | 1.4 | 8.0 |
| Career | 209 | 97 | 20.5 | .732 | .000 | .656 | 6.9 | 1.4 | .7 | 1.7 | 7.3 | |
Play-in
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Boston | 1 | 1 | 14.2 | 1.000 | – | 1.000 | 4.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 4.0 |
| Career | 1 | 1 | 14.2 | 1.000 | – | 1.000 | 4.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 4.0 | |
Playoffs
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Boston | 3 | 0 | 4.3 | .500 | — | 1.000 | 2.3 | .0 | .0 | .0 | 1.3 |
| 2020 | Boston | 13 | 0 | 11.5 | .742 | .000 | .333 | 3.9 | .8 | .2 | .5 | 3.7 |
| 2021 | Boston | 3 | 0 | 15.3 | .643 | — | .500 | 5.0 | .7 | .3 | 3.0 | 6.3 |
| 2022 | Boston | 17 | 15 | 23.2 | .679 | .000 | .893 | 6.2 | 1.0 | .7 | 2.2 | 7.7 |
| 2023 | Boston | 20 | 4 | 20.9 | .788 | .000 | .679 | 6.0 | 1.0 | .5 | 1.3 | 7.7 |
| Career | 56 | 19 | 18.2 | .729 | .000 | .742 | 5.3 | .9 | .4 | 1.4 | 6.3 | |
College
Personal life
In July 2018, Williams was revealed to have popliteal artery entrapment syndrome (PAES) in both legs. If it degenerates, the vascular disease could require a surgical procedure in the future.[21] Williams has two children.[22]
Nickname
Early in his career, Williams has attracted the nickname "Time Lord" from Celtics fans, in part based upon his timekeeping faux pas upon signing with the team.[23][24][25] This has, in turn, gained attention from Timex. Danny Ainge has been recorded as preferring the nickname "Lob".[26]
References
- ^ "LeBron gives Robert Williams a passing lesson?". from the original on July 23, 2019. Retrieved January 8, 2017.
- ^ "Robert Williams - Basketball Recruiting - Player Profiles - ESPN". ESPN.com. from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
- ^ "Texas A&M Signs Louisiana Standout Robert Williams". Texas A&M University Athletics Department. from the original on July 23, 2019. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
- ^ "North Caddo 2016 forward Robert Williams commits to Texas A&M". from the original on June 21, 2018. Retrieved January 8, 2017.
- ^ "Texas A&M's Robert Williams humble amid whirlwind rise". from the original on April 23, 2020. Retrieved January 8, 2017.
- ^ "Texas A&M freshman Robert Williams' stock is soaring after strong start". from the original on November 8, 2020. Retrieved January 15, 2017.
- ^ "Texas A&M's Robert Williams has NBA scouts' hearts as darkhorse one-and-done". from the original on December 6, 2017. Retrieved January 8, 2017.
- ^ "Robert Williams is SEC Defensive Player of the Year". shreveporttimes.com. from the original on August 9, 2020. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
- ^ Nathan, Alec. "Robert Williams Announces Return to Texas A&M, Will Forgo 2017 NBA Draft". Bleacher Report. from the original on July 23, 2019. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
- ^ "Former North Caddo star Robert Williams turning pro". from the original on July 23, 2019. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
- ^ "Celtics Sign Robert Williams". NBA.com. July 5, 2018. from the original on November 9, 2020. Retrieved July 5, 2018.
- ^ "Celtics Rookie Robert Williams' Draft Day Fall Suddenly Makes Perfect Sense". The Big Lead. July 10, 2018. from the original on July 23, 2019. Retrieved July 12, 2018.
- ^ "Where did Robert Williams's nickname come from?". Boston.com. December 14, 2018. from the original on May 23, 2021. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
- ^ "Sources: Robert Williams impresses in coming out party with the Celtics". boston.com. from the original on December 17, 2018. Retrieved December 15, 2018.
- ^ Leger, Justin (May 23, 2021). "Time Lord sets C's playoff record in Game 1 vs. Nets". NBC Sports Boston. from the original on June 27, 2021. Retrieved June 27, 2021.
- ^ Vatour, Matt (May 29, 2021). "Rob Williams injury: Boston Celtics big man sprains ankle, won't return". masslive. from the original on June 27, 2021. Retrieved June 27, 2021.
- ^ DiGiovanni, Sam (December 31, 2021). "The reason Robert Williams surprised Ime Udoka in Celtics' win over Suns". ClutchPoints. from the original on December 31, 2021. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
- ^ "Celtics' Robert Williams III suffers torn meniscus in left knee, out indefinitely". CBS Sports. Retrieved March 28, 2022.
- ^ "Boston Celtics center Robert Williams III expected to miss 4-6 weeks after surgery to repair meniscus". ESPN. Retrieved March 30, 2022.
- ^ "Trail Blazers Acquire Malcolm Brogdon and Robert Williams III". NBA.com. October 1, 2023. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
- ^ "Sources: Boston Celtics rookie Robert Williams has artery condition in his legs". masslive.com. from the original on July 12, 2018. Retrieved July 12, 2018.
- ^ "Celtics' Robert Williams Announces Birth Of Child After Missing Game". nesn.com. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
- ^ "Where did Robert Williams's nickname come from?". from the original on February 18, 2022. Retrieved February 18, 2022.
- ^ "Celtics Sign 'Time Lord' to Multiyear Extension: Report". August 20, 2021. from the original on February 18, 2022. Retrieved February 18, 2022.
- ^ "'Time Lord' Nickname May Lead to a Watch Sponsorship for Robert Williams". September 2020. from the original on February 18, 2022. Retrieved February 18, 2022.
- ^ "Sources: Where did Robert Williams's nickname come from?". boston.com. from the original on December 15, 2018. Retrieved December 15, 2018.
External links
- Career statistics and player information from NBA.com and Basketball-Reference.com
- Texas A&M Aggies bio