 Williams with the Portland Trail Blazers in 2023. | |
| No. 35 – Portland Trail Blazers | |
|---|---|
| Position: | Center / Power Forward |
| League: | NBA |
| Personal information | |
| Full name: | Robert Lee Williams III |
| Born: | October 17, 1997 Shreveport, Louisiana |
| Nationality: |  American
|
| Physical stats | |
| Listed height: | 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) |
| Listed weight: | 249 lbs (113 kg) |
| National Basketball Association career | |
| Debut: 2018 for the Boston Celtics | |
| Career information | |
| High school: | North Caddo (Vivian, Louisiana) |
| College: | Texas A&M (2016–2018) |
| NBA Draft: | 2018 / Round: 1 / Pick: 27th |
| Selected by the Boston Celtics | |
| Playing career: | 2018–present (6 years) |
| Career history | |
| 2018–2023 | Boston Celtics |
| 2018–2019 | →Maine Red Claws |
| 2023–present | Portland Trail Blazers |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Robert Lee Williams III (born October 17, 1997) is an American professional basketball player for the Portland Trail Blazers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Texas A&M Aggies.
Williams was drafted 27th overall in the 2018 NBA draft by the Boston Celtics. Nicknamed Time Lord,[1] he had a breakout season in 2021–22, which saw him being named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team and reaching the NBA Finals as the Celtics' starting center.
High school career[]
Williams attended North Caddo High School in Vivian, Louisiana.[2] A consensus four-star recruit, he ranked 50th overall in ESPN’s Top 100 for the class of 2016[3] and was the number one prospect in the state of Louisiana.[4] He committed to Texas A&M University to play college basketball.[5][6]
College career[]
In his first college game, he scored five points and had five blocks and seven rebounds.[7][8] He was named SEC Defensive Player of the Year and earned 2nd Team All-SEC honors[9] after averaging 11.9 points and a team-high 8.2 rebounds per game as a freshman in 2016–17.
On March 21, despite being credited as a potential first round lottery player, Williams decided to forgo the 2017 NBA draft and stay for another season at Texas A&M.[10]
Following Texas A&M's loss in the 2018 NCAA men's basketball tournament, Williams announced his intention to forgo his final two seasons of collegiate eligibility and declare for the 2018 NBA draft, where he was expected to be a first round selection.[11] Williams was viewed as a potential lottery pick for the 2017 NBA draft and 2018 NBA draft.
Professional career[]
Boston Celtics (2018–2023)[]
Come the 2018 NBA draft, instead of being a lottery pick, Williams fell to the 27th overall pick where he was selected by the Boston Celtics due to concerns about his work ethic. On July 5, 2018, the Boston Celtics signed Williams.[12] Williams did not initially make a good impression, being criticized for showing up late and missing team functions.[13] His reputation for missing flights and video meetings caused him to earn the moniker "Time Lord" on online Boston Celtics fandoms.[1][14]
Williams made his professional debut on October 23, 2018, playing 4 minutes during the Celtics' loss to Orlando Magic, before being assigned to the Maine Red Claws on November 2. Throughout November and December, Williams split his time between the G League and the NBA, before starting to gain more game time with the Celtics following an injury to Al Horford. On December 11, 2018, Williams blocked two shots by NBA All Star Anthony Davis during a game against the New Orleans Pelicans.[15] During the 2021 NBA playoffs, Williams dealt with a turf toe injury. In Game 1 of the first round against the Brooklyn Nets, Williams blocked 9 shots to set a team playoff record for blocks in a game. He also scored 11 points and grabbed 9 rebounds.[16] Despite this record, the team lost the game. The injury hobbled Williams for the remainder of the series and Williams left Game 3 with a sprained ankle after playing just 6 minutes.[17] He missed games 4 and 5, and the team lost the series 4–1.
On December 31, 2021, Williams recorded his first career triple-double, putting up 10 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists, in a 123–108 win over the Phoenix Suns.[18] On March 28, 2022, the Celtics announced that Williams had suffered a torn meniscus in his left knee and would be out indefinitely.[19] Two days later, he underwent surgery and was ruled out for at least 4-to-6 weeks.[20]
Portland Trail Blazers (2023–present)[]
On October 1, 2023, Williams, along with Malcolm Brogdon and two future first-round draft picks, was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for Jrue Holiday.[21] On October 25, Williams made his Blazers debut, putting up 10 points and seven rebounds in a 123–111 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.[22] But his season was cut short, suffering a patellar dislocation after colliding with Jaren Jackson Jr. on the Blazer's November 5 game against Memphis. Having successful right knee surgery a few days later, the injury ended his season after six games.[23]
Career statistics[]
| Legend | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | Games played | GS | Games started | MPG | Minutes per game |
| FG% | Field goal percentage | 3P% | 3-point field-goal percentage | FT% | Free-throw percentage |
| RPG | Rebounds per game | APG | Assists per game | SPG | Steals per game |
| BPG | Blocks per game | PPG | Points per game | Bold | Career high |
NBA[]
Regular season[]
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018–19 | Boston | 32 | 2 | 8.8 | .706 | — | .600 | 2.5 | .2 | .3 | 1.3 | 2.5 |
| 2019–20 | Boston | 29 | 1 | 13.4 | .727 | — | .647 | 4.4 | .9 | .8 | 1.2 | 5.2 |
| 2020–21 | Boston | 52 | 13 | 18.9 | .721 | .000 | .616 | 6.9 | 1.8 | .8 | 1.8 | 8.0 |
| 2021–22 | Boston | 61 | 61 | 29.6 | .736 | .000 | .722 | 9.6 | 2.0 | .9 | 2.2 | 10.0 |
| 2022–23 | Boston | 35 | 20 | 23.5 | .747 | .000 | .610 | 8.3 | 1.4 | .6 | 1.4 | 8.0 |
| 2023–24 | Portland | 6 | 0 | 19.8 | .654 | — | .778 | 6.3 | .8 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 6.8 |
| Career | 215 | 97 | 20.5 | .729 | .000 | .660 | 6.9 | 1.4 | .7 | 1.7 | 7.3 | |
Play-in[]
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Boston | 1 | 1 | 14.2 | 1.000 | – | 1.000 | 4.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 4.0 |
| Career | 1 | 1 | 14.2 | 1.000 | – | 1.000 | 4.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 4.0 | |
Playoffs[]
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Boston | 3 | 0 | 4.3 | .500 | — | 1.000 | 2.3 | .0 | .0 | .0 | 1.3 |
| 2020 | Boston | 13 | 0 | 11.5 | .742 | .000 | .333 | 3.9 | .8 | .2 | .5 | 3.7 |
| 2021 | Boston | 3 | 0 | 15.3 | .643 | — | .500 | 5.0 | .7 | .3 | 3.0 | 6.3 |
| 2022 | Boston | 17 | 15 | 23.2 | .679 | .000 | .893 | 6.2 | 1.0 | .7 | 2.2 | 7.7 |
| 2023 | Boston | 20 | 4 | 20.9 | .788 | .000 | .679 | 6.0 | 1.0 | .5 | 1.3 | 7.7 |
| Career | 56 | 19 | 18.2 | .729 | .000 | .742 | 5.3 | .9 | .4 | 1.4 | 6.3 | |
College[]
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016–17 | Texas A&M | 31 | 17 | 25.8 | .558 | .111 | .590 | 8.2 | 1.4 | .7 | 2.5 | 11.9 |
| 2017–18 | Texas A&M | 30 | 23 | 25.6 | .668 | .000 | .471 | 9.2 | 1.4 | .8 | 2.6 | 10.4 |
| Career | 61 | 40 | 25.7 | .624 | .067 | .541 | 8.7 | 1.4 | .7 | 2.5 | 11.1 | |
Personal life[]
In July 2018, Williams was revealed to have popliteal artery entrapment syndrome (PAES) in both legs. If it degenerates, the vascular disease could require a surgical procedure in the future.[24] Williams has two children.[25]
Nickname[]
Early in his career, Williams has attracted the nickname "Time Lord" from Celtics fans, in part based upon his timekeeping faux pas upon signing with the team.[26][27][28] This has, in turn, gained attention from Timex. Danny Ainge has been recorded as preferring the nickname "Lob".[29]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Leger, Justin (April 15, 2023). "Here's how Robert Williams earned 'Time Lord' nickname". NBC Sports Boston. https://www.nbcsportsboston.com/nba/boston-celtics/heres-how-robert-williams-earned-time-lord-nickname/208743/. Retrieved June 6, 2024.
- ↑ "LeBron gives Robert Williams a passing lesson?". http://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/sports/2015/07/24/robert-williams-texas-basketball-recruiting-espn/30629611/.
- ↑ "Robert Williams - Basketball Recruiting - Player Profiles - ESPN". http://www.espn.com/college-sports/basketball/recruiting/player/_/id/211554/robert-williams.
- ↑ "Texas A&M Signs Louisiana Standout Robert Williams" (in en). http://www.12thman.com/news/2015/11/11/MBB_1111152754.aspx.
- ↑ "North Caddo 2016 forward Robert Williams commits to Texas A&M". http://www.nola.com/recruiting/index.ssf/2015/06/north_caddo_2016_forward_rober.html.
- ↑ "Texas A&M's Robert Williams humble amid whirlwind rise". http://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/aggies/article/Texas-A-M-s-Robert-Williams-humble-amid-whirlwind-10802395.php.
- ↑ "Texas A&M freshman Robert Williams' stock is soaring after strong start". https://sports.yahoo.com/news/texas-am-freshman-robert-williams-stock-is-soaring-after-strong-start-031411049.html.
- ↑ "Texas A&M's Robert Williams has NBA scouts' hearts as darkhorse one-and-done". http://www.sportingnews.com/ncaa-basketball/news/robert-williams-scouting-report-texas-am-one-and-done-freshman-nba-draft-2017/1xyvddwg86mos1oc42bpzmp0h5.
- ↑ "Robert Williams is SEC Defensive Player of the Year" (in en). shreveporttimes.com. http://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/sports/college/2017/03/07/robert-williams-sec-defensive-player-year/98852388/.
- ↑ Nathan, Alec. "Robert Williams Announces Return to Texas A&M, Will Forgo 2017 NBA Draft" (in en-US). Bleacher Report. http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2698025-robert-williams-announces-return-to-texas-am-will-forego-2017-nba-draft.
- ↑ "Former North Caddo star Robert Williams turning pro" (in en-US). https://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/sports/college/2018/03/23/former-north-caddo-star-robert-williams-turning-pro/454834002/.
- ↑ "Celtics Sign Robert Williams". NBA.com. July 5, 2018. https://www.nba.com/celtics/news/pressrelease/celtics-sign-robert-williams.
- ↑ "Celtics Rookie Robert Williams' Draft Day Fall Suddenly Makes Perfect Sense". The Big Lead. July 10, 2018. https://thebiglead.com/2018/07/10/celtics-rookie-robert-williams-draft-day-fall-suddenly-makes-perfect-sense/.
- ↑ "Where did Robert Williams's nickname come from?". Boston.com. December 14, 2018. https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-celtics/2018/12/14/robert-williams-time-lord-nickname.
- ↑ "Sources: Robert Williams impresses in coming out party with the Celtics". boston.com. https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-celtics/2018/12/11/robert-williams-anthony-davis-block.
- ↑ Leger, Justin (May 23, 2021). "Time Lord sets C's playoff record in Game 1 vs. Nets". NBC Sports Boston. https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/celtics/robert-williams-sets-celtics-playoff-record-game-1-vs-nets.
- ↑ Vatour, Matt (2021-05-29). "Rob Williams injury: Boston Celtics big man sprains ankle, won't return". masslive. https://www.masslive.com/celtics/2021/05/rob-williams-injury-boston-celtics-big-man-sprains-ankle-wont-return.html.
- ↑ DiGiovanni, Sam (December 31, 2021). "The reason Robert Williams surprised Ime Udoka in Celtics' win over Suns". https://clutchpoints.com/celtics-news-how-robert-williams-surprised-ime-udoka-in-win-over-suns/.
- ↑ "Celtics' Robert Williams III suffers torn meniscus in left knee, out indefinitely". CBS Sports. https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/celtics-robert-williams-iii-suffers-torn-meniscus-in-left-knee-out-indefinitely/.
- ↑ "Boston Celtics center Robert Williams III expected to miss 4-6 weeks after surgery to repair meniscus". https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/33629299/boston-celtics-center-robert-williams-iii-expected-miss-4-6-weeks-surgery-repair-meniscus-sources-say.
- ↑ "Trail Blazers Acquire Malcolm Brogdon and Robert Williams III". October 1, 2023. https://www.nba.com/blazers/news/trail-blazers-acquire-malcolm-brogdon-and-robert-williams-iii.
- ↑ "Veterans guide Clippers to opening win over Blazers". Field Level Media. October 26, 2023. https://www.reuters.com/sports/basketball/veterans-guide-clippers-opening-win-over-blazers-2023-10-26/.
- ↑ "Robert Williams III Undergoes Right Knee Surgery". https://www.nba.com/blazers/news/robert-williams-iii-undergoes-right-knee-surgery.
- ↑ "Sources: Boston Celtics rookie Robert Williams has artery condition in his legs" (in en-US). masslive.com. https://www.masslive.com/celtics/index.ssf/2018/07/sources_boston_celtics_rookie.html.
- ↑ "Celtics' Robert Williams Announces Birth Of Child After Missing Game" (in en-US). nesn.com. https://nesn.com/2022/01/celtics-robert-williams-announces-birth-of-child-after-missing-game/.
- ↑ "Where did Robert Williams's nickname come from?". https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-celtics/2018/12/14/robert-williams-time-lord-nickname/.
- ↑ "Celtics Sign 'Time Lord' to Multiyear Extension: Report". August 20, 2021. https://heavy.com/sports/boston-celtics/rob-williams-extension/.
- ↑ "'Time Lord' Nickname May Lead to a Watch Sponsorship for Robert Williams". September 2020. https://boston.cbslocal.com/2020/09/01/timelord-nickname-robert-williams-watch-sponsorship-celtics-nba/.
- ↑ "Sources: Where did Robert Williams's nickname come from?" (in en-US). boston.com. https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-celtics/2018/12/14/robert-williams-time-lord-nickname.
External links[]
- Template:Basketball stats
- Texas A&M Aggies bio
| Portland Trail Blazers current roster | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 00 Scoot Henderson • 1 Anfernee Simons • 2 Deandre Ayton • 4 Matisse Thybulle • 5 Dalano Banton • 8 Kris Murray • 9 Jerami Grant • 10 Moses Brown • 11 Malcolm Brogdon • 17 Shaedon Sharpe • 19 Ashton Hagans (TW) • 24 Justin Minaya (TW) • 26 Duop Reath • 33 Toumani Camara • 34 Jabari Walker • 35 Robert Williams III • 41 Ibou Badji (TW) • 72 Rayan Rupert | ||||
| Players who left during the season | ||||
| 5 Skylar Mays • 23 Ish Wainright | ||||
| Head coach: Chauncey Billups | ||||
Template:2018 NBA draft