Vince Williams Jr. Bio
Vincent Terrill Williams Jr., known professionally as Vince Williams Jr., is an American professional basketball player. He has competed in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and developed his game at the collegiate level with the VCU Rams. Selected in the second round of the 2022 NBA draft, he spent the bulk of his initial professional tenure with the Memphis Grizzlies before being traded mid-season to the Utah Jazz in 2026.
A shooting guard listed at 6 feet 4 inches and 205 pounds, Williams entered the league as a versatile wing with a reputation for effort and defensive energy. His professional journey has been marked by injury setbacks balanced by stretches of productive play that earned him a multi-year contract and a defined role within a playoff-caliber organization.
Early Life and Background
Vince Williams Jr. was born on August 30, 2000, in Toledo, Ohio. He grew up in the same Midwestern city and developed his early basketball skills in a region known for producing tough, fundamentally sound competitors. His upbringing in Toledo shaped a grounded personality that has carried into his professional career.
Williams attended St. John’s Jesuit High School in Toledo, where he emerged as a promising prospect. His high school performances drew attention from college recruiters, and he ultimately committed to Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) to play for the Rams in the Atlantic 10 Conference. The combination of strong coaching at St. John’s Jesuit and a competitive high school schedule helped prepare him for the demands of Division I basketball.
Path to Basketball
Williams joined the VCU Rams program in 2018 and immediately faced adversity. Before his freshman season, he tore the labrum in his left shoulder and was sidelined until August 2018, delaying his transition to the college level. As a freshman, he averaged 4.9 points and 3.3 rebounds per game, showing flashes of potential while adjusting to the speed and physicality of college basketball.
His sophomore campaign was similarly interrupted. Williams suffered a torn right labrum that required surgery, and he was not fully cleared to return until early October 2019. He was limited to 21 games during his second season, posting averages of 4.2 points and 2.8 rebounds per game. Despite the injuries, he remained with the program and continued to develop his perimeter skills and basketball IQ.
By his junior and senior years, Williams had emerged as a leader for the Rams. He earned Third-team All-Atlantic 10 honors in 2021 before being named First-team All-Atlantic 10 in 2022. His growth into one of the conference’s most reliable wings convinced NBA scouts that he was ready for the next level, and he declared for the 2022 draft.
Vince Williams Jr. Career
Early Career (2022–2023)
Williams was selected with the 47th overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft by the Memphis Grizzlies. On July 2, 2022, the franchise signed him to a two-way contract, a path that allowed him to split time between the NBA roster and the G League affiliate Memphis Hustle. He made 15 appearances for Memphis during his rookie campaign, including one start, and posted averages of 2.0 points, 1.0 rebound, and 0.3 assists per game.
His rookie season served as an introduction to the professional game, and the experience gained in the G League provided a foundation for future contributions. The Grizzlies’ developmental staff worked with Williams to refine his shooting mechanics and defensive versatility.
Memphis Grizzlies Breakthrough (2023–2025)
On January 10, 2024, Williams signed a multi-year contract with the Memphis Grizzlies, a clear signal that the organization viewed him as part of its long-term plans. He responded with his most productive NBA season, making 52 total appearances including 33 starts during the 2023-24 campaign. He averaged 10.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game, establishing himself as a reliable two-way contributor.
His strong 2023-24 performance carried over into the following season. During the 2024-25 NBA season, Williams played in 27 games including five starts, posting averages of 6.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.0 assists. He continued to provide energy and perimeter defense for a Grizzlies team competing in the rugged Western Conference.
In the 2025-26 NBA season, Williams appeared in 34 games with 12 starts for Memphis, averaging 8.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 4.4 assists. His playmaking improved noticeably, and he became a secondary ball-handler and connector on offense when paired with the team’s primary creators.
Utah Jazz Era (2026)
On February 3, 2026, Williams was part of a multi-player trade that sent him, Jaren Jackson Jr., Jock Landale, and John Konchar to the Utah Jazz. In return, the Grizzlies received Kyle Anderson, Walter Clayton Jr., Taylor Hendricks, Georges Niang, and three first-round draft picks. The trade reflected Memphis’ decision to reshape its roster around a younger core.
Williams appeared in six games for the Jazz, averaging 4.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.7 assists. On February 23, 2026, he suffered a season-ending torn left ACL after colliding with Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason during an away-from-the-ball play. On March 9, 2026, the Jazz waived him as part of their post-injury roster decisions.
Driving Style and Strengths
Williams has been praised throughout his career for his defensive intensity, length on the perimeter, and willingness to compete on every possession. He is a capable rebounder for his position and has developed into a competent secondary playmaker. His shooting stroke has continued to improve, and his size at the shooting guard position allows him to defend multiple positions on the floor.
Notable Events and Milestones
Signing his multi-year contract with Memphis in January 2024 stands as a defining moment in Williams’ career, validating the work he put in during his two-way years. His 2023-24 season averages of 10.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game represent his strongest NBA campaign to date. The mid-season trade to Utah in February 2026 and the subsequent ACL injury marked a challenging turning point in his professional trajectory.
Vince Williams Jr. Career Wins
Vince Williams Jr.’s most meaningful professional wins have come in the form of contract security, role expansion, and consistent minutes at the NBA level. While individual game victories vary, his breakthrough 2023-24 season with the Grizzlies showcased his ability to contribute to winning basketball on a nightly basis.
NBA Highlights
Williams’ tenure with the Memphis Grizzlies produced his most significant NBA highlights, including 33 starts during the 2023-24 season and career-high averages in points, rebounds, and assists. His 12 starts during the 2025-26 season further demonstrated the trust coaching staffs placed in his development. He appeared in 15 games as a rookie in 2022-23 before earning a multi-year deal in January 2024.
Other Wins & Performances
During his time in the G League with the Memphis Hustle, Williams gained valuable experience that helped him adjust to the professional game. His First-team All-Atlantic 10 selection in 2022 served as the highlight of his college career and helped position him as a legitimate NBA prospect. He was also named Third-team All-Atlantic 10 in 2021, a sign of steady improvement throughout his VCU tenure.
Vince Williams Jr. Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Detailed information about Vince Williams Jr.’s family background has not been widely published. He was raised in Toledo, Ohio, and his early development in that city played a central role in shaping his basketball career.
Personal Life
Vince Williams Jr. keeps his personal life largely private. He has not publicly confirmed a spouse or partner, and details about his life away from the court remain limited.
2025 Season Performance
During the 2024-25 NBA season, Vince Williams Jr. appeared in 27 games for the Memphis Grizzlies, including five starts. He averaged 6.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game while continuing to embrace a defensive-minded role within the rotation. His usage rates reflected a more focused, energy-based contribution off the bench.
Williams carried that form into the 2025-26 season, appearing in 34 games with 12 starts for Memphis and posting averages of 8.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 4.4 assists. His assist numbers marked a career high, signaling an expanded offensive responsibility within the Grizzlies’ scheme. The team competed in the Western Conference playoff picture throughout the early months of the season.
His season took an unexpected turn on February 3, 2026, when he was traded to the Utah Jazz as part of a larger roster reshuffle. After six appearances in a Jazz uniform, Williams suffered a torn left ACL on February 23, 2026, ending his season and placing his long-term outlook in the hands of his recovery and rehabilitation process.
