Grant Williams Bio
Grant Dean Williams is an American professional basketball player for the Charlotte Hornets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Williams played college basketball for the Tennessee Volunteers. He was drafted 22nd overall in the 2019 NBA draft by the Boston Celtics and reached the NBA Finals with the team in 2022. He has also played for the Dallas Mavericks. Williams was elected as the First Vice President of the National Basketball Players Association in February 2023, replacing Andre Iguodala in the role.
Early Life and Background
Grant Dean Williams was born on November 30, 1998, in Houston, Texas, and later moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, as a child. He attended Providence Day School in Charlotte, where he excelled in basketball and was teammates with future NBA player Devon Dotson. As a junior, he averaged 18 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game, leading his team to a 25–5 record. Williams continued to develop his skills during the summer with his AAU team, Team CP3 All-Stars, where he played alongside future NBA player Harry Giles III. In his senior year, he averaged 15.8 points, 10.1 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 3.0 blocks per game. Rated a three-star recruit in the class of 2016, Williams committed to play college basketball at the University of Tennessee on November 13, 2015.
Path to Basketball
At the University of Tennessee, Grant Williams quickly made a name for himself as an All-Southeastern Conference (SEC) player during his freshman, sophomore, and junior years. He earned back-to-back SEC Player of the Year honors for the 2017–18 and 2018–19 seasons, becoming the first player to achieve this distinction since Corliss Williamson in 1995. Williams led the Volunteers to a third seed in the 2018 NCAA tournament and a second seed in the 2019 NCAA tournament, showcasing his talent on a national stage. His impressive college career set the stage for his entry into the NBA.
Grant Williams Career
Early Career (2019–2021)
Grant Williams was selected with the 22nd overall draft pick by the Boston Celtics in the 2019 NBA draft. He signed a four-year, $11.8 million rookie-scale contract with the team on July 11, 2019. Williams made his professional debut on October 23, 2019, coming off the bench in a loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. He made his first career start on December 4, 2019, in a victory against the Miami Heat. During his rookie season, Williams averaged 3.4 points and 2.6 rebounds per game over 69 games. In his second season, he improved his averages, finishing with 4.7 points and 2.8 rebounds per game.
Breakthrough (2022–2023)
Williams had a career-defining moment during the 2021–22 NBA season when he scored a career-high 27 points in a decisive game 7 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. His performance included a record-setting 7-for-18 mark from three-point range, making him a key contributor to the Celtics’ run to the NBA Finals, where they ultimately lost to the Golden State Warriors. Despite facing challenges, including a one-game suspension for making contact with a game official, Williams continued to develop as a player.
Notable Works and Milestones
Grant Williams’ signature work includes his performance in the 2022 NBA playoffs, where he emerged as a reliable scorer and defender for the Boston Celtics. His contributions helped the team reach the NBA Finals, solidifying his reputation as a valuable player in the league.
Grant Williams Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Grant Williams has received several accolades, including being named a Consensus first-team All-American in 2019 and earning multiple SEC Player of the Year honors.
Grant Williams Awards Won
Grant Williams has achieved notable recognition during his basketball career, including being a two-time SEC Player of the Year and a member of the SEC All-Freshman Team.
Grant Williams Family
Grant Williams is the son of Gilbert and Teresa Johnson. His mother, Teresa, is an electrical engineer for NASA, while his father, Gilbert, is a jazz artist and former college basketball player.
Personal Life
Grant Williams is known for his interests outside of basketball, including being an avid sports card collector, which he often shares on social media. He graduated from the University of Tennessee in three years with a degree in business, turning down offers from Ivy League schools such as Harvard and Yale. Williams also threw out the first pitch at a Boston Red Sox game in August 2019.
