John "Hot Rod" Williams

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For other persons named John Williams, see John Williams (disambiguation).

John "Hot Rod" Williams (born August 9, 1962 in Sorrento, Louisiana) is a former professional basketball player in the NBA who had a 13-year career from 1986 to 1999.

Williams, a 6' 11" power forward/center out of Tulane University, was selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 1985 NBA Draft with the 21st pick of the second round. He has also been a member of the Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks.

Williams got the nickname "Hot Rod" as a baby due to his habit of scooting backwards across the floor while making engine-like sounds. Williams had a solid career at Tulane, but it ended in controversy. On March 27, 1985, Williams was arrested for suspicion of point shaving. According to the indictment, Williams accepted at least $8,550 dollars for manipulating point spreads in games against Southern Miss, Memphis State, and Virginia Tech. Williams was charged with sports bribery and conspiracy, but his case ended in a mistrial and the charges were eventually dropped.

However, due to the trial, Williams spent the 1985-86 season playing for the United States Basketball League. Able to play for the Cavs the next year, Williams was named to the NBA all-rookie team for the 1986-1987 season, along with teammates Ron Harper and Brad Daugherty. Perhaps Williams's finest season occurred in 1989, when he average 16.8 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 2.04 blocked shots per game while mostly serving as the team's sixth man. Williams spent nine seasons with the Cavs before being traded to the Suns for Dan Majerle. To this day, Williams ranks as the Cavaliers' all time leader in blocked shots (1,200), minutes played (20,802), and offensive rebounds (1,620)