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Freeman Williams

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Freeman Williams
Williams as a senior at PSU
Personal information
Born(1956-05-15)May 15, 1956
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
DiedApril 19, 2022(2022-04-19) (aged 65)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Listed weight190 lb (86 kg)
Career information
High schoolManual Arts
(Los Angeles, California)
CollegePortland State (1974–1978)
NBA draft1978: 1st round, 8th overall pick
Selected by the Boston Celtics
Playing career1978–1993
PositionShooting guard / small forward
Number20, 5
Career history
1978–1982San Diego Clippers
1982Atlanta Hawks
1982Utah Jazz
1984–1985Tampa Bay Thrillers
1985–1986Washington Bullets
1986Tampa Bay Thrillers
1993Miami Tropics
Career highlights and awards
Career NBA statistics
Points4,738 (14.7 ppg)
Rebounds510 (1.6 rpg)
Assists516 (1.6 apg)
Stats at NBA.com Edit this at Wikidata
Stats at Basketball Reference Edit this at Wikidata

Freeman Williams Jr. (May 15, 1956 – April 19, 2022) was an American professional basketball player in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Portland State Vikings, where he was a two-time All-American and twice led the nation in scoring. He began his NBA career playing 2+1⁄2 years with the San Diego Clippers, and also had stints with the Atlanta Hawks, Utah Jazz and Washington Bullets.

College career

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Williams attended Portland State University, where he became the school's all-time scoring leader.[1] He was the NCAA scoring champion in 1977 and 1978, and a consensus second-team All-American in 1978. He is third in Division I history in career scoring, trailing only Pete Maravich and Antoine Davis.

Professional career

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Williams was a 1978 first round draft pick (8th overall) by the Boston Celtics.[2] His pro playing career started in 1978 with the San Diego Clippers. On January 19, 1980, Williams scored 51 points in a game against the Phoenix Suns.[3] In December 1980, Freeman became the first Clippers player to win a Player of the Month award, and the only one in franchise history until Elton Brand did so 25 years later.[4] He finished in the top 10 in three-point field goals for three consecutive seasons from 1980 through 1982.[5] In the middle of the 1981-82 season, the Clippers traded Williams to the Atlanta Hawks for Al Wood and Charlie Criss.[6]

In September 1982, Williams was traded along with John Drew and cash to the Utah Jazz in exchange for Dominique Wilkins, who was drafted by the Jazz and refused to sign.[7] After that season (1982–83), Williams only played in 27 more games: 18 with Utah in 1983 and nine with the Washington Bullets in 1986.

In 1987, Williams played in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) for the Tanduay Rhum Masters, where he famously scored 82 points, including 10 three-pointers, in one game.

Personal life

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Freeman had a small part in the 1992 film White Men Can't Jump, playing fictional playground legend Duck Johnson.[8]

During and after his playing career, Williams struggled with substance abuse issues. After his professional basketball career ended, he became close friends with John Lucas II, who also struggled with substance abuse, and Lucas became a mentor of sorts to Williams.[9]

Williams died on April 19, 2022. He was 65.[10]

Career statistics

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Season Team GP MPG RPG APG PPG
1978–79 Clippers 72 16.6 1.4 1.2 10.4
1979–80 Clippers 82 25.8 2.3 2.0 18.6
1980–81 Clippers 82 24.1 1.6 2.0 19.3
1981–82 Clippers/Hawks 60 16.6 1.0 1.4 12.0
1982–83 Jazz 18 11.7 0.9 0.6 5.1
1985–86 Bullets 9 12.2 1.3 0.8 7.7
Career 6 Seasons 323 20.5 1.6 1.6 14.7

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Kasinitz, Aaron (July 14, 2014). "Portland State basketball legend Freeman Williams returns for documentary screening". The Oregonian. Retrieved August 14, 2016.
  2. ^ 1978 NBA Draft on Basketballreference.com Archived 2010-03-18 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ Placing Portland State basketball legend Freeman Williams’ career in proper perspective: ‘He was an icon’
  4. ^ CLIPPERS: Brand Named Western Conference Player of the Month
  5. ^ Freeman Williams Statistics - Basketball-Reference.com
  6. ^ "Williams dealt to Hawks: Clippers trade leading scorer". The Desert Sun. January 21, 1982. Retrieved April 21, 2022 – via The University of California Riverside Center for Bibliographical Studies and Research.
  7. ^ NBA.com: Dominique Wilkins Bio
  8. ^ Crowe, Jerry (March 23, 2008). "Text messages from press row . . ". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 23, 2022.
  9. ^ Placing Portland State basketball legend Freeman Williams’ career in proper perspective: ‘He was an icon’
  10. ^ "Former Jazz Star Freeman Williams Passed Away At The Age Of 65". NBA.com. Retrieved April 20, 2022.
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