Louis Williams
Encyclopedia
Louis "Lou" Tyrone Williams (born October 27, 1986) is an American
professional basketball
player with the Philadelphia 76ers
, who selected him with the 45th pick of the 2005 NBA Draft
. Williams grew up in Snellville, Georgia
.
under Roger Fleetwood, where he was a four-time All-State selection, was named Georgia's "Mr. Basketball" during his Junior & Senior year and was voted as the "Most Athletic" Senior Superlative by his peers. As a junior, Williams led South Gwinnett to win the 5A Georgia State Championship. As a senior, Williams averaged 27.5 points, 6.6 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game while leading South Gwinnett to a 28–3 record and fourth place finish in the state. Williams also won the 2005 Naismith Prep Player of the Year Award which identifies the nation's top high school player, and was named to the 2005 McDonald's All-American East Team
. Both Williams and Mike Mercer, high school teammates at South Gwinnett High School
, committed to play at the University of Georgia
, but Williams declared for the 2005 NBA Draft
. Williams is the second all time leading scorer in Georgia high school basketball history.
. During the 2005–06 NBA season Williams played sparingly as an NBA rookie for the 76ers, averaging 1.9 points and .3 assists over 30 games. After being inactive for most of the first month of the 2006–07 NBA season, Williams was sent by the 76ers to play for the Fort Worth Flyers
of the NBA Development League
on November 28,. 2006.
After stellar performances in the NBA D-League, averaging 26 points and 7 assists over three games, and with trade rumors surrounding the 76ers' starting point guard Allen Iverson
, Williams was restored back to the 76ers roster on December 5, 2006.
During the 2007–2008 season, Williams averaged career-highs of 11.3 ppg and 3.2 apg and 2.0 rpg. With these stats Lou Williams had the fifth highest point/rebound/assist total of any reserve in the NBA.
At the end of the season Louis became a restricted free agent. He signed a 5 year deal worth $25 million.
In game 4 of round one of the Eastern Conference Playoffs, Williams hit a go-ahead 3-pointer to give the Sixers a win against the Miami Heat, 86-82. However, the Sixers lost the series.
To show care towards the community, Lou Williams has a yearly camp at South Gwinnett High School for children the ages of 10-16. The camp is very successful and as showing his affection for the camp Louis states, " This camp means a lot to me because I can give back to a community that has done so much for me."
In addition, Williams has recorded several rap tracks, and was even featured on fellow Philadelphian Meek Mill's "I Want It All."
| align="left" | 2005–06
| align="left" | Philadelphia
| 30 || 0 || 4.8 || .442 || .222 || .615 || .6 || .3 || .2 || .0 || 1.9
|-
| align="left" | 2006–07
| align="left" | Philadelphia
| 61 || 0 || 11.3 || .441 || .324 || .696 || 1.1 || 1.8 || .4 || .0 || 4.3
|-
| align="left" | 2007–08
| align="left" | Philadelphia
| 80 || 0 || 23.3 || .424 || .359 || .783 || 2.1 || 3.2 || 1.0 || .2 || 11.5
|-
| align="left" | 2008–09
| align="left" | Philadelphia
| 81 || 0 || 23.7 || .398 || .286 || .790 || 2.0 || 3.0 || 1.0 || .2 || 12.8
|-
| align="left" | 2009–10
| align="left" | Philadelphia
| 64 || 38 || 29.9 || .470 || .340 || .824 || 2.9 || 4.2 || 1.2 || .2 || 14.0
|-
| align="left" | 2010-11
| align="left" | Philadelphia
| 75 || 0 || 23.3 || .406 || .348 || .823 || 2.0 || 3.4 || .6 || .2 || 13.7
|-
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 391 || 38 || 21.2 || .424 || .330 || .795 || 1.9 || 2.9 || .8 || .2 || 10.7
| align="left" | 2007–08
| align="left" | Philadelphia
| 6 || 0 || 22.5 || .400 || .222 || .733 || 2.0 || 2.0 || 1.0 || .0 || 12.0
|-
| align="left" | 2008–09
| align="left" | Philadelphia
| 6 || 0 || 24.8 || .412 || .375 || .667 || 2.5 || 2.8 || .5 || .2 || 9.7
|-
| align="left" | 2010–11
| align="left" | Philadelphia
| 5 || 0 || 26.0 || .327 || .300 || .737 || 1.6 || 3.0 || 1.0 || .0 || 10.8
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 17 || 0 || 24.3 || .380 || .311 || .719 || 2.1 || 2.6 || .8 || .1 || 10.8
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player with the Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . Originally known as the Syracuse Nationals, they are one of the oldest franchises in the NBA...
, who selected him with the 45th pick of the 2005 NBA Draft
2005 NBA Draft
The 2005 NBA Draft took place on June 28, 2005 in the Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City. In this draft, NBA teams took turns selecting amateur college basketball players and other first-time eligible players, such as players from high schools and non-North American leagues...
. Williams grew up in Snellville, Georgia
Snellville, Georgia
Snellville is a city in Gwinnett County, Georgia, United States, east of Atlanta. The population was 15,351 at the 2000 census. The city's mayor, Jerry Oberholtzer, was elected to a 4-year term in 2007. The city's commercial and residential development has grown enormously in recent years...
.
High school
Williams played at Snellville's South Gwinnett High SchoolSouth Gwinnett High School
South Gwinnett High School is a public high school in the United States for students in grades 9–12. The school is located in Snellville, Georgia and is part of the Gwinnett County Public Schools system, one of the 15 largest public school systems in the country...
under Roger Fleetwood, where he was a four-time All-State selection, was named Georgia's "Mr. Basketball" during his Junior & Senior year and was voted as the "Most Athletic" Senior Superlative by his peers. As a junior, Williams led South Gwinnett to win the 5A Georgia State Championship. As a senior, Williams averaged 27.5 points, 6.6 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game while leading South Gwinnett to a 28–3 record and fourth place finish in the state. Williams also won the 2005 Naismith Prep Player of the Year Award which identifies the nation's top high school player, and was named to the 2005 McDonald's All-American East Team
McDonald's All-American Team
The McDonald's All-American Game refers to each of the all-star basketball games played each year for boys' and girls' high-school basketball graduates. Consisting of the top American and Canadian players, each team plays a single exhibition game after the conclusion of the high-school basketball...
. Both Williams and Mike Mercer, high school teammates at South Gwinnett High School
South Gwinnett High School
South Gwinnett High School is a public high school in the United States for students in grades 9–12. The school is located in Snellville, Georgia and is part of the Gwinnett County Public Schools system, one of the 15 largest public school systems in the country...
, committed to play at the University of Georgia
University of Georgia
The University of Georgia is a public research university located in Athens, Georgia, United States. Founded in 1785, it is the oldest and largest of the state's institutions of higher learning and is one of multiple schools to claim the title of the oldest public university in the United States...
, but Williams declared for the 2005 NBA Draft
2005 NBA Draft
The 2005 NBA Draft took place on June 28, 2005 in the Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City. In this draft, NBA teams took turns selecting amateur college basketball players and other first-time eligible players, such as players from high schools and non-North American leagues...
. Williams is the second all time leading scorer in Georgia high school basketball history.
Philadelphia 76ers
Because of disappointing workout performances, Williams fell to the second round of the Draft and was eventually picked 45th overall by the Philadelphia 76ersPhiladelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . Originally known as the Syracuse Nationals, they are one of the oldest franchises in the NBA...
. During the 2005–06 NBA season Williams played sparingly as an NBA rookie for the 76ers, averaging 1.9 points and .3 assists over 30 games. After being inactive for most of the first month of the 2006–07 NBA season, Williams was sent by the 76ers to play for the Fort Worth Flyers
Fort Worth Flyers
The Fort Worth Flyers is the name of a now defunct team of the NBA Development League minor league basketball expansion team based in Fort Worth, Texas. They began play in the 2005-06 season. The decision was made by the NBADL to not operate this team for the 2007-08 season.- Franchise history...
of the NBA Development League
NBA Development League
The NBA Development League, or NBA D-League, is the National Basketball Association's official minor league basketball organization. Known until summer 2005 as the National Basketball Development League , the NBA D-League started with eight teams in the fall of 2001...
on November 28,. 2006.
After stellar performances in the NBA D-League, averaging 26 points and 7 assists over three games, and with trade rumors surrounding the 76ers' starting point guard Allen Iverson
Allen Iverson
Allen Ezail Iverson is an American professional basketball point guard and shooting guard. He was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers with the number one pick in the 1996 NBA Draft. He was named the NBA Rookie of the Year in the 1996–97 season...
, Williams was restored back to the 76ers roster on December 5, 2006.
During the 2007–2008 season, Williams averaged career-highs of 11.3 ppg and 3.2 apg and 2.0 rpg. With these stats Lou Williams had the fifth highest point/rebound/assist total of any reserve in the NBA.
At the end of the season Louis became a restricted free agent. He signed a 5 year deal worth $25 million.
In game 4 of round one of the Eastern Conference Playoffs, Williams hit a go-ahead 3-pointer to give the Sixers a win against the Miami Heat, 86-82. However, the Sixers lost the series.
Career Highlights
- Entered the 2005–06 season as the seventh-youngest player in the NBA.
- Scored 10+ points eight times in 2006–07, seven of which came over the final 19 games... during that 19-game stretch, averaged 7.9 points (45.5% FGs, 83.3% FTs), 3.3 assists and 2.1 rebounds while committing just 17 turnovers in 18.6 minutes per game.
- Over his final 36 games played in 2006–07, had 89 assists to 31 turnovers (2.87 ratio).
- Received 2006 Rocky Mountain Revue All-Tournament honors after averaging 22.0 points, 5.2 assists and 2.00 steals per game in the six-game tournament... Led the league in assists, ranked second in scoring and was third in steals per game
- Became the first high school player selected by the Sixers in the draft since Darryl DawkinsDarryl DawkinsDarryl Dawkins is a retired American professional basketball player, most noted for his days with the NBA's Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Nets, although he also played briefly for the Detroit Pistons and Utah Jazz late in his career...
(1975, 1st round, 5th pick overall). - Scored 3,338 points, 1,768 rebounds, 950 assists and 855 steals during his career at South Gwinnett High School (Ga).
- Winner of the Naismith Prep Player of the Year, signifying the nation's top high school player and was named Mr. Basketball in Georgia as a senior (2004–05).
- Suffered a broken jaw during the 2009-2010 season, which led to Allen IversonAllen IversonAllen Ezail Iverson is an American professional basketball point guard and shooting guard. He was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers with the number one pick in the 1996 NBA Draft. He was named the NBA Rookie of the Year in the 1996–97 season...
's return to the 76ers.
Personal life
Louis was born to Willie Louis Williams (deceased) and Janice Faulkner. He has an older brother, Taurus and older sister, FraShaundra. When he was 5'7" in the 7th grade, he dunked for the first time. Louis is a close friend of Bow Wow, and was seen socializing with Bow Wow at his house on MTV Cribs.To show care towards the community, Lou Williams has a yearly camp at South Gwinnett High School for children the ages of 10-16. The camp is very successful and as showing his affection for the camp Louis states, " This camp means a lot to me because I can give back to a community that has done so much for me."
In addition, Williams has recorded several rap tracks, and was even featured on fellow Philadelphian Meek Mill's "I Want It All."
Regular season
|-| align="left" | 2005–06
| align="left" | Philadelphia
Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . Originally known as the Syracuse Nationals, they are one of the oldest franchises in the NBA...
| 30 || 0 || 4.8 || .442 || .222 || .615 || .6 || .3 || .2 || .0 || 1.9
|-
| align="left" | 2006–07
| align="left" | Philadelphia
| 61 || 0 || 11.3 || .441 || .324 || .696 || 1.1 || 1.8 || .4 || .0 || 4.3
|-
| align="left" | 2007–08
| align="left" | Philadelphia
| 80 || 0 || 23.3 || .424 || .359 || .783 || 2.1 || 3.2 || 1.0 || .2 || 11.5
|-
| align="left" | 2008–09
2008–09 NBA season
The 2008–09 NBA season was the 63rd season of the National Basketball Association . The 1,230-game regular season began on Tuesday, October 28, 2008, and ended on Wednesday, April 15, 2009...
| align="left" | Philadelphia
| 81 || 0 || 23.7 || .398 || .286 || .790 || 2.0 || 3.0 || 1.0 || .2 || 12.8
|-
| align="left" | 2009–10
2009–10 NBA season
The 2009–10 NBA season was the 64th season of the National Basketball Association . The 1,230-game regular season began on Tuesday, October 27, 2009, and ended on Wednesday, April 14, 2010....
| align="left" | Philadelphia
| 64 || 38 || 29.9 || .470 || .340 || .824 || 2.9 || 4.2 || 1.2 || .2 || 14.0
|-
| align="left" | 2010-11
| align="left" | Philadelphia
| 75 || 0 || 23.3 || .406 || .348 || .823 || 2.0 || 3.4 || .6 || .2 || 13.7
|-
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 391 || 38 || 21.2 || .424 || .330 || .795 || 1.9 || 2.9 || .8 || .2 || 10.7
Playoffs
|-| align="left" | 2007–08
2008 NBA Playoffs
The 2008 NBA Playoffs was the postseason for the National Basketball Association's 2007–08 season which ended with the Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics defeating the Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers 4–2....
| align="left" | Philadelphia
Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . Originally known as the Syracuse Nationals, they are one of the oldest franchises in the NBA...
| 6 || 0 || 22.5 || .400 || .222 || .733 || 2.0 || 2.0 || 1.0 || .0 || 12.0
|-
| align="left" | 2008–09
2009 NBA Playoffs
The 2009 NBA Playoffs was the postseason for the National Basketball Association's 2008–09 season. The playoffs started on April 18, 2009 with ABC, ESPN, TNT, and NBA TV broadcasting the games in the United States...
| align="left" | Philadelphia
| 6 || 0 || 24.8 || .412 || .375 || .667 || 2.5 || 2.8 || .5 || .2 || 9.7
|-
| align="left" | 2010–11
2011 NBA Playoffs
The 2011 NBA Playoffs was the postseason for the National Basketball Association's 2010–11 season. Eight teams from each of the league's two conferences qualified for the playoffs, all seeded 1 to 8 in a tournament bracket, with all rounds in a best-of-seven format. The 2011 NBA Playoffs began on...
| align="left" | Philadelphia
| 5 || 0 || 26.0 || .327 || .300 || .737 || 1.6 || 3.0 || 1.0 || .0 || 10.8
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 17 || 0 || 24.3 || .380 || .311 || .719 || 2.1 || 2.6 || .8 || .1 || 10.8
External links
- Louis Williams profile @ usabasketball.com