BIOGRAPHY
Deron Michael Williams born June 26, 1984, nicknamed D-Will, is an American basketball player currently with the New Jersey Nets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Prior to playing in the NBA, Williams played for the University of Illinois men's basketball team. Williams was drafted 3rd overall in the 2005 draft by the Utah Jazz, for whom he played before being traded in the middle of his sixth season to the Nets. He is a two-time All-Star and a gold medal winner at the 2008 Summer Olympics.
In elementary school and middle school, Williams won two state wrestling championships. In 1993, as an eight-year-old, he won the 67 lb. weight class Texas State championship. Four years later in 1997, he won the twelve-year-old 116 lb. weight class championship. Williams attended The Colony High School in The Colony, Texas and averaged 17 points, 9.4 assists, and 2 steals per game as a junior in 2001. That year he led his team, the Cougars, to a 32–2 record and the Class 5A state semifinals against Bryan High. In 2002, as a senior, he averaged 17.6 points, 8.5 assists, 6.1 rebounds, and 2.6 steals per game. His team, the Cougars, went 29–2 that season, losing the 5A Texas State semifinals.Williams was a teammate of Bracey Wright who went on to play for Big Ten rival Indiana University
Personal information
Date of birth: June 26, 1984
Place of birth: Parkersburg, West Virginia
Nationality: American
Listed height: 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Listed weight: 207 lb (94 kg)
Career information
College: Illinois
NBA Draft: 2005 / Round: 1 / Pick: 3rd overall
Selected by the Utah Jazz
Pro career: 2005–present
Career history
* Utah Jazz (2005–2011)
* New Jersey Nets (2011–present)
Career highlights and awards
* 2× NBA All-Star (2010, 2011)
* 2× All-NBA Second Team (2008, 2010)
* NBA All-Rookie First Team (2006)
* Skills Challenge Champion (2008)
