Jay Williams Makes NBA Comeback
Desiree Smith
10/4/05
Sports
Sports
Two years ago it was thought that Jay Williams would never walk, let alone play basketball again. Now, the former guard for the Chicago Bulls is planning to come back to the NBA, as a free agent. after a terrible motorcycle accident almost ended his career.
Before his accident, Williams was named the 2002 College Player of the Year after his junior year at Duke University, and was then choosen as the number two draft pick by the Chicago Bulls in the NBA drafted
On June 19, 2003, Williams' life was changed forever when on the way to dinner, he lost control of his brand new Yamaha sports bike and crashed into a utility pole.
The impact severed a main nerve in his left leg, fractured his pelvis and tore three of the four main ligaments in his left knee. The crash was also a violation of his standard NBA contract that prohibits riding a motorcycle.
Williams addressed his mistake and accident in a recent interview with the Associated Press.
"Everyone makes mistakes and that happened to me," Williams said. "But you know what? I wouldn't change it for the world."
"People can call me an idiot all they want, but I'm glad it happened to me because it's humbled me as a person and it's really made me pay attention to the people who are important to me in my life," he said.
After such a devastating accident, many would feel defeated and extremely low. In Williams' case that is not the truth. After being on crutches for six months, and dozens of surgeries, he is fighting hard to come back.
Sophomore Chicago native Brandon Williams admires the fight in Williams and has nothing but positive things to say about the situation.
"I think that it's a good idea for him [Williams] to come back because for one it shows that he is not a failure," Williams explained. "[It's motivating for others to see that] he knows how to overcome great obstacles."
In April, Williams came back to Chicago and started working with Michael Jordan's longtime trainer, Tim Grover.
Before his accident, Williams was named the 2002 College Player of the Year after his junior year at Duke University, and was then choosen as the number two draft pick by the Chicago Bulls in the NBA drafted
On June 19, 2003, Williams' life was changed forever when on the way to dinner, he lost control of his brand new Yamaha sports bike and crashed into a utility pole.
The impact severed a main nerve in his left leg, fractured his pelvis and tore three of the four main ligaments in his left knee. The crash was also a violation of his standard NBA contract that prohibits riding a motorcycle.
Williams addressed his mistake and accident in a recent interview with the Associated Press.
"Everyone makes mistakes and that happened to me," Williams said. "But you know what? I wouldn't change it for the world."
"People can call me an idiot all they want, but I'm glad it happened to me because it's humbled me as a person and it's really made me pay attention to the people who are important to me in my life," he said.
After such a devastating accident, many would feel defeated and extremely low. In Williams' case that is not the truth. After being on crutches for six months, and dozens of surgeries, he is fighting hard to come back.
Sophomore Chicago native Brandon Williams admires the fight in Williams and has nothing but positive things to say about the situation.
"I think that it's a good idea for him [Williams] to come back because for one it shows that he is not a failure," Williams explained. "[It's motivating for others to see that] he knows how to overcome great obstacles."
In April, Williams came back to Chicago and started working with Michael Jordan's longtime trainer, Tim Grover.