Source: www.njdc2010.org
Jason David Williams, also known as Jay Williams or “Jay Dubs” was hands down one of the best Duke players of all time. He was a former McDonald’s All- American and he led Duke to a national title in 2001. He was the 2nd overall pick by the Bulls in the ’02 draft. And honestly, if not for Yao Ming, he could have easily been the #1 pick in that draft. He was not just a great basketball player but he was also a very intelligent person. He was well- liked by everyone and he did everything right except during the night of June 19, 2003 when one bad choice changed his life dramatically.
Source: www.usatoday.com
Jay Williams for some reason decided to ride a motorcycle that night even if he was not licensed to do so. He did not wear a helmet and the worst thing about it was that by riding a motorcycle he violated terms of his Bulls contact. Yet, he could have gotten away with it if he safely arrived at his destination. Unfortunately, Jay Williams crashed his motorcycle into a streetlight on Chicago’s North Side. He severed a main nerve in his leg, fractured his pelvis, and he tore three ligaments in his left knee including his ACL. The whole accident literally jeopardized Jay’s basketball career.
No one knew if he could even walk again. The Bulls, a week later, drafted Kirk Hinrich in the ’03 draft as Jay’s replacement. Jay’s season was over and he was eventually waived by the Bulls. He was even fortunate that the Bulls gave him a $3 Million buyout even if technically they could have opted not to.
It was obviously one of the saddest events that I had ever seen in my life. Jay was a very good guy who made one BAD choice and had to pay for it big time. He could have easily been an all- star and a great role model for the kids. And yet, all of it was taken away from him because of that motorcycle accident.
Jay Williams with the Nets
Source: www.netsdaily.com
He did everything possible just to have a chance to play basketball again in the NBA. Unfortunately, he was cut by the Nets in ’06 even before the season started. Then, he tried his luck in the D- League but he was also cut by the Austin Toros after a month. To simply put it, Jay’s basketball career was put to an end by that one bad choice he made that led him to that accident.
Honestly, if Jay Williams was a weak person, he could have easily given up on everything. But, he WASN’T. And that is more than enough for me to still be very proud of him. Jay continued on with his life as he has become an analyst for ESPN. He also gives motivational talks. He never stopped living and he never allowed the accident to ruin his life. The accident has helped him see the value of life and that has been more than enough for him.
All of us go through rough times. Sometimes, these different challenges are very hard to accept and to overcome. Yet, these are the very things that make us better if we just use them accordingly. Life was never meant to be “perfect”. In fact, it is on how we live through all the imperfections that really make our lives worthwhile.:)
Jay Williams could have been one of the best point guards in the NBA.:(
ReplyDeleteJay Williams was a must- see when he was still playing for Duke.
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot for the info..so sad but as you said, he learned from it and continued to move on in life making himself as an inspiration for others to love LIFE, take care of it and live it to the fullest..
ReplyDeletejay you a hater .. why would you tell now that you are not playing that your team mate smoke weed before games in 2002 2003.. YOu a HaTTTER....
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