Marvin Gaye Williams Jr. (born June 19, 1986) is an American former professional

basketball Basketball is a team sport in which two teams, most commonly of five players each, opposing one another on a rectangular Basketball court, court, compete with the primary objective of #Shooting, shooting a basketball (ball), basketball (appro ...

player. He played one season of

college basketball College basketball is basketball that is played by teams of Student athlete, student-athletes at universities and colleges. In the Higher education in the United States, United States, colleges and universities are governed by collegiate athle ...

for

North Carolina North Carolina ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Virginia to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, South Carolina to the south, Georgia (U.S. stat ...

before being drafted second overall by the

Atlanta Hawks The Atlanta Hawks are an American professional basketball team based in Atlanta. The Hawks compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Southeast Division (NBA), Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference (NBA), Easte ...

in the 2005 NBA draft.

High school career

Born and raised in

Bremerton, Washington Bremerton is a city in Kitsap County, Washington, Kitsap County, Washington (state), Washington, United States. The population was 43,505 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census and an estimated 44,122 in 2021, making it the largest city ...

, Williams attended Bremerton High School, where he was a two-time all-state selection and the Washington Player of the Year by the ''

Associated Press The Associated Press (AP) is an American not-for-profit organization, not-for-profit news agency headquartered in New York City. Founded in 1846, it operates as a cooperative, unincorporated association, and produces news reports that are dist ...

''. As a junior in 2002–03, he averaged 23.9 points and 14 rebounds and was named area player of the year. As a senior in 2003–04, he averaged 28.7 points, 15.5 rebounds, 5.1 blocked shots and 5.2 assists. He was subsequently named a

McDonald's All-American McDonald's Corporation, doing business as McDonald's, is an American multinational fast food chain. As of 2024, it is the second largest by number of locations in the world, behind only the Chinese chain Mixue Ice Cream & Tea. Brothers ...

and earned first-team ''Parade'' All-American honors.

College career

Williams played a lone season at

in 2004–05, helping the Tar Heels win the NCAA championship. His tip-in with 1:26 remaining in the NCAA final against

Illinois Illinois ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern United States. It borders on Lake Michigan to its northeast, the Mississippi River to its west, and the Wabash River, Wabash and Ohio River, Ohio rivers to its ...

broke a 70–70 tie, propelling UNC to a 75–70 victory. He earned ACC Rookie of the Year honors and was a unanimous selection to the ACC All-Freshman Team. He also earned All-ACC Honorable Mention. In 36 games all off the bench, he averaged 11.3 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.1 steals in 22.2 minutes per game. In April 2005, Williams declared for the

NBA draft The NBA draft is the National Basketball Association's (NBA) annual event, dating back to 1947 BAA draft, 1947, in which the teams in the league can Draft (sports), draft players who declare for the draft and that are Eligibility for the NBA dr ...

, forgoing his final three years of college eligibility.

Professional career

Atlanta Hawks (2005–2012)

Williams was selected by the

with the second overall pick in the 2005 NBA draft, going on to earn

NBA All-Rookie Second Team The NBA All-Rookie Team is an annual National Basketball Association (NBA) honor given since the 1962–63 NBA season to the top rookies during the regular season. Voting is conducted by the NBA head coaches who are not allowed to vote for play ...

honors after averaging 8.5 points and 4.8 rebounds in 79 games during the 2005–06 season. On December 20, 2005, he scored a season-high 26 points against the

Miami Heat The Miami Heat are an American professional basketball team based in Miami. The Heat compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Southeast Division (NBA), Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference (NBA), Eastern C ...

. Williams missed the first 17 games of the 2006–07 season due to a broken bone in his left hand. On January 5, 2007, he scored a season-high 24 points against the

Toronto Raptors The Toronto Raptors are a Canadian professional basketball team based in Toronto. The Raptors compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NBA), Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference (NBA), E ...

. He tied that mark on April 13, scoring 24 points against the

Washington Wizards The Washington Wizards are an American professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C. The Wizards compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference. The team plays i ...

. The 2007–08 season saw Williams average a career-high 14.8 points per game. On January 25, 2008, he scored a career-high 33 points in a 99–90 win over the Seattle SuperSonics. On February 25, 2009, Williams scored a season-high 31 points against the

Denver Nuggets The Denver Nuggets are an American professional basketball team based in Denver. The Nuggets compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Northwest Division (NBA), Northwest Division of the Western Conference (NBA), W ...

. Between early March and early April of the 2008–09 season, Williams missed 16 games with a lower back injury. Williams knocked down 55 three-pointers on the season after making just 25 in his first three seasons combined. On August 7, 2009, Williams re-signed with the Hawks to a five-year, $37.5 million contract. On November 20, 2009, he scored a season-high 29 points against the

Houston Rockets The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston. The Rockets compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Southwest Division (NBA), Southwest Division of the Western Conference (NBA) ...

. On December 5, 2009, he had a career-high 15 rebounds against the

Dallas Mavericks The Dallas Mavericks (often referred to as the Mavs) are an American professional basketball team based in Dallas. The Mavericks compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Southwest Division (NBA), Southwest Divisi ...

. In early November of the 2010–11 season, Williams missed four games with a right knee injury. Between late December and late January, Williams missed 11 games with a bruised back. On March 27, 2011, he scored a season-high 31 points against the

Cleveland Cavaliers The Cleveland Cavaliers, often referred to as the Cavs, are an American professional basketball team based in Cleveland. The Cavaliers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Central Division (NBA), Central Divis ...

. In the lockout-shortened 2011–12 season, Williams played in 57 of the Hawks' 66 regular-season games. He missed three games in early January with a sprained left ankle, and five games in mid-March with a hip flexor. On April 22, 2012, he scored a season-high 29 points against the

New York Knicks The New York Knickerbockers, shortened and more commonly referred to as the New York Knicks, are an American professional basketball team based in the Boroughs of New York City, New York City borough of Manhattan. The Knicks compete in the Na ...

. Williams helped the Hawks advance to the playoffs in five straight seasons between 2008 and 2012, appearing in 42 playoff games (27 starts), after the franchise had failed to make the postseason the previous eight years. He was a two-time recipient (2008 and 2011) of the Hawks' Jason Collier Memorial Trophy for his work as a community ambassador.

Utah Jazz (2012–2014)

On July 11, 2012, Williams was traded to the

Utah Jazz The Utah Jazz are an American professional basketball team based in Salt Lake City. The Jazz compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference. Since the 1991–92 season, the ...

in exchange for Devin Harris. He made his debut for the Jazz in their season opener on October 31, 2012, scoring 21 points in a 113–94 win over the

. He failed to surpass that scoring mark during the season, recording one other 20-point game on November 23 against the

Sacramento Kings The Sacramento Kings are an American professional basketball team based in Sacramento, California. The Kings compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Pacific Division (NBA), Pacific Division of the Western Confere ...

. Williams missed the first five games and last four games of the 2013–14 season. In February 2014, he twice scored a season-high 23 points.

Charlotte Hornets (2014–2020)

On July 21, 2014, Williams signed a two-year, $14 million contract with the

Charlotte Hornets The Charlotte Hornets are an American professional basketball team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Hornets compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference. The team ...

. He made his debut for the Hornets in their season opener on October 29, 2014, scoring 19 points 108–106 win over the

Milwaukee Bucks The Milwaukee Bucks are an American professional basketball team based in Milwaukee. The Bucks compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Central Division (NBA), Central Division of the Eastern Conference (NBA), East ...

. He failed to surpass that scoring mark during the season. On February 5, 2016, Williams scored a season-high 27 points in a 98–95 loss to the

. Williams totaled 521 rebounds and 152 three-point field goals, making him one of only five players to tally at least 500 rebounds and 150 three-pointers in 2015–16 – along with

Kevin Durant Kevin Wayne Durant (born September 29, 1988), also known by his initials KD, is an American professional basketball player for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Durant has won two List of NBA champions, NBA champ ...

Paul George Paul Clifton Anthony George (born May 2, 1990) is an American professional basketball player for the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Nicknamed "PG-13", he is a nine-time NBA All-Star and six-time member of the ...

James Harden James Edward Harden Jr. (born August 26, 1989) is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Clippers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He is regarded by some as one of the greatest shooting guards in NBA hist ...

and Kevin Love – and the first player in Charlotte NBA history to do so. His 152 three-point field goals marked the third-best single-season total ever by a Charlotte forward, trailing only Glen Rice's 1996–97 and 1995–96 seasons. On July 10, 2016, Williams re-signed with the Hornets to a four-year, $54.5 million contract. On March 10, 2017, he grabbed a career-high 18 rebounds in a 121–81 win over the

Orlando Magic The Orlando Magic are an American professional basketball team based in Orlando, Florida. The Magic compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Southeast Division (NBA), Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference (NB ...

. On March 11, he scored a season-high 27 points in a 125–122 overtime loss to the

New Orleans Pelicans The New Orleans Pelicans are an American professional basketball team based in New Orleans. The Pelicans compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Southwest Division (NBA), Southwest Division of the Western Confere ...

. On March 13, he tied a career high with 18 rebounds in a 115–109 loss to the

Chicago Bulls The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago. The Bulls compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference. The team was founded on January 16 ...

. On January 15, 2018, Williams scored a season-high 21 points against the

Detroit Pistons The Detroit Pistons are an American professional basketball team based in Detroit. The Pistons compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Central Division (NBA), Central Division of the Eastern Conference (NBA), East ...

. On December 21, 2018, Williams made a career-high seven 3-pointers and scored a then season-high 24 points in a 98–86 win over the Pistons. On January 23, 2019, against the

Memphis Grizzlies The Memphis Grizzlies (referred to locally as the Grizz) are an American professional basketball team based in Memphis, Tennessee. The Grizzlies compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Southwest Division of the ...

, Williams passed Rex Chapman for 12th on the franchise's scoring list. On March 8, he made seven 3-pointers and scored a season-high 30 points in a 112–111 win over the

. On June 11, 2019, Williams exercised his $15 million player option for the 2019–20 season. On February 8, 2020, the Hornets reached a contract buyout agreement with Williams.

Milwaukee Bucks (2020)

On February 10, 2020, Williams signed with the

. On August 29, Williams scored 12 points and grabbed 8 rebounds while coming off the bench for the Bucks in a deciding Game 5 win to end a round one matchup versus the

, in the NBA Bubble. On September 8, following the Bucks' second-round playoff exit after an upset loss against the

, Williams announced his retirement from professional basketball.

Career statistics

NBA

Regular season

, - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;",

Atlanta Atlanta ( ) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of municipalities in Georgia (U.S. state), most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia. It is the county seat, seat of Fulton County, Georg ...

, 79 , , 7 , , 24.7 , , .443 , , .245 , , .747 , , 4.8 , , .8 , , .6 , , .3 , , 8.5 , - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;",

, 64 , , 63 , , 34.0 , , .433 , , .244 , , .815 , , 5.3 , , 1.9 , , .8 , , .5 , , 13.1 , - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;",

, 80 , , 80 , , 34.6 , , .462 , , .100 , , .822 , , 5.7 , , 1.7 , , 1.0 , , .4 , , 14.8 , - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;",

, 61 , , 59 , , 34.3 , , .458 , , .355 , , .806 , , 6.3 , , 1.3 , , .9 , , .6 , , 13.9 , - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;",

, 81 , , 81 , , 30.4 , , .455 , , .303 , , .819 , , 5.1 , , 1.1 , , .8 , , .6 , , 10.1 , - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;",

, 65 , , 52 , , 28.7 , , .458 , , .336 , , .845 , , 4.8 , , 1.4 , , .5 , , .4 , , 10.4 , - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;",

, 57 , , 37 , , 26.3 , , .432 , , .389 , , .788 , , 5.2 , , 1.2 , , .8 , , .3 , , 10.2 , - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;",

Utah Utah is a landlocked state in the Mountain states, Mountain West subregion of the Western United States. It is one of the Four Corners states, sharing a border with Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico. It also borders Wyoming to the northea ...

, 73 , , 51 , , 23.7 , , .423 , , .325 , , .778 , , 3.6 , , 1.1 , , .5 , , .5 , , 7.2 , - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;",

, 66 , , 50 , , 25.4 , , .439 , , .359 , , .781 , , 5.1 , , 1.2 , , .8 , , .5 , , 9.1 , - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;", Charlotte , 78 , , 37 , , 26.1 , , .424 , , .358 , , .713 , , 4.9 , , 1.3 , , .9 , , .5 , , 7.4 , - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;", Charlotte , 81 , , 81 , , 28.9 , , .452 , , .402 , , .833 , , 6.4 , , 1.4 , , .7 , , 1.0 , , 11.7 , - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;", Charlotte , 76 , , 76 , , 30.2 , , .422 , , .350 , , .873 , , 6.6 , , 1.4 , , .8 , , .7 , , 11.2 , - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;", Charlotte , 78 , , 78 , , 25.7 , , .458 , , .413 , , .829 , , 4.7 , , 1.2 , , .7 , , .5 , , 9.5 , - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;", Charlotte , 75 , , 75 , , 28.4 , , .422 , , .366 , , .767 , , 5.4 , , 1.2 , , .9 , , .8 , , 10.1 , - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;", Charlotte , 41 , , 1 , , 19.7 , , .448 , , .376 , , .860 , , 2.7 , , 1.0 , , .6 , , .5 , , 6.7 , - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;",

Milwaukee Milwaukee is the List of cities in Wisconsin, most populous city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. Located on the western shore of Lake Michigan, it is the List of United States cities by population, 31st-most populous city in the United States ...

, 17 , , 0 , , 18.9 , , .439 , , .308 , , .857 , , 4.4 , , 1.1 , , .6 , , .5 , , 4.0 , - class="sortbottom" , style="text-align:center;" colspan="2", Career , 1,072 , , 828 , , 28.2 , , .443 , , .362 , , .808 , , 5.2 , , 1.3 , , .8 , , .5 , , 10.2

Playoffs

, - , style="text-align:left;",

2008 2008 was designated as: *International Year of Languages *International Year of Planet Earth *International Year of the Potato *International Year of Sanitation The Great Recession, a worldwide recession which began in 2007, continued throu ...

, style="text-align:left;",

, 7 , , 7 , , 28.4 , , .414 , , .000 , , .889 , , 4.0 , , .7 , , .3 , , .4 , , 11.4 , - , style="text-align:left;",

2009 2009 was designated as the International Year of Astronomy by the United Nations to coincide with the 400th anniversary of Galileo Galilei's first known astronomical studies with a telescope and the publication of Astronomia Nova by Joha ...

, style="text-align:left;",

, 6 , , 3 , , 16.2 , , .345 , , .167 , , .692 , , 1.5 , , 1.0 , , .8 , , .3 , , 5.0 , - , style="text-align:left;",

2010 The year saw a multitude of natural and environmental disasters such as the 2010 Haiti earthquake, the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, and the 2010 Chile earthquake. The 2009 swine flu pandemic, swine flu pandemic which began the previous year ...

, style="text-align:left;",

, 11 , , 11 , , 31.4 , , .392 , , .500 , , .906 , , 5.7 , , .7 , , .6 , , .5 , , 8.4 , - , style="text-align:left;",

2011 The year marked the start of a Arab Spring, series of protests and revolutions throughout the Arab world advocating for democracy, reform, and economic recovery, later leading to the depositions of world leaders in Tunisia, Egypt, and Yemen ...

, style="text-align:left;",

, 12 , , 3 , , 18.0 , , .393 , , .273 , , .769 , , 2.3 , , .5 , , .8 , , .6 , , 4.8 , - , style="text-align:left;",

2012 2012 was designated as: *International Year of Cooperatives *International Year of Sustainable Energy for All Events January *January 4 – The Cicada 3301 internet hunt begins. * January 12 – Peaceful protests begin in the R ...

, style="text-align:left;",

, 6 , , 3 , , 24.2 , , .356 , , .500 , , .778 , , 5.5 , , .8 , , .5 , , .3 , , 7.8 , - , style="text-align:left;",

2016 2016 was designated as: * International Year of Pulses by the sixty-eighth session of the United Nations General Assembly. * International Year of Global Understanding (IYGU) by the International Council for Science (ICSU), the Internationa ...

, style="text-align:left;", Charlotte , 7 , , 7 , , 32.6 , , .275 , , .353 , , .500 , , 6.9 , , .9 , , .9 , , .4 , , 5.1 , - , style="text-align:left;",

2020 The year 2020 was heavily defined by the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to global Social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, social and Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, economic disruption, mass cancellations and postponements of even ...

, style="text-align:left;",

, 10 , , 0 , , 17.9 , , .447 , , .435 , , 1.000 , , 4.8 , , .9 , , .5 , , .3 , , 5.5 , - class="sortbottom" , style="text-align:center;" colspan="2", Career , 59 , , 34 , , 23.9 , , .378 , , .387 , , .836 , , 4.3 , , .8 , , .6 , , .4 , , 6.7

College

, - , style="text-align:left;", 2004–05 , style="text-align:left;",

, 36 , , 0 , , 22.2 , , .506 , , .432 , , .847 , , 6.6 , , .7 , , 1.1 , , .5 , , 11.3

Personal life

Williams is the son of Marvin Williams Sr. and Andrea Gittens. He has two brothers, Demetrius and J’Tonn. Williams, whose middle name is Gaye, said about his middle name: "I was named after my dad. My grandma named my dad after

Marvin Gaye Marvin Pentz Gaye Jr. (; April 2, 1939 – April 1, 1984) was an American Rhythm and blues, R&B and soul singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer. He helped shape the sound of Motown in the 1960s, first as an in-house session player an ...

." In July 2014, Williams completed his degree in

African-American studies Black studies or Africana studies (with nationally specific terms, such as African American studies and Black Canadian studies), is an interdisciplinary academic field that primarily focuses on the study of the history, culture, and politics of ...

at North Carolina. For nine years, he attended summer school and some classes during the NBA season, studying both after practice and on the road.

References

External links

North Carolina Tar Heels bio
{{DEFAULTSORT:Williams, Marvin 1986 births Living people American men's basketball players Atlanta Hawks draft picks Atlanta Hawks players Basketball players from Washington (state) Charlotte Hornets players McDonald's High School All-Americans Milwaukee Bucks players North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball players Parade High School All-Americans (boys' basketball) Sportspeople from Bremerton, Washington Power forwards Small forwards Sportspeople from the Seattle metropolitan area Utah Jazz players 21st-century African-American sportsmen 20th-century African-American sportsmen