Marcus Williams (University of Connecticut)

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Marcus Darrell Williams (born December 3, 1985, in Los Angeles, California) is an American professional basketball player for the NBA's New Jersey Nets. In the 2006 NBA Draft, he was the 22nd player selected in the 1st round. Prior to the NBA, he played for the Connecticut Huskies. During his college career, he was known for his tremendous court vision and excellent passing.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] College

As a sophomore in the 2004-2005 season, Williams averaged 9.6 points and 7.8 assists a game. He was named Big East Most Improved Player.

In his junior year, Williams averaged 12.3 points, 8.6 assists, and shot 86% from the free throw line. In a game against Notre Dame, he recorded the first ever triple double for UConn in a Big East game with 18 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds. In the 2006 NCAA tourney, he averaged 20 points, 8.8 assists, while shooting 52% from the field, 56% from three-point range, and 96% from the free throw line. Williams scored a career-high 26 points in a memorable Sweet 16 win against Washington. He also had the game tying assist as he handed the ball off to Rashad Anderson, who shot the game tying 3 pointer that sent the game into overtime. UConn won 98-92. Marcus Williams was known as one of the best all around clutch performers in college basketball.

[edit] Laptop computer incident

Williams became the center of controversy during the summer of 2005 when he was charged with trying to sell four stolen laptop computers taken from dormitory rooms on the university campus. As a result, he was suspended for the fall semester and did not play his first game of the season until January 2006, 8 games into the season.^[1]

[edit] NBA career

Williams was selected 22nd in the 2006 NBA Draft by the New Jersey Nets, which was surprising because most including Williams himself thought that he would be a top 10 lottery pick. Teammates Josh Boone, Rudy Gay, Hilton Armstrong, and Denham Brown were also selected, with all but Brown being 1st round picks. Marcus Williams was named to the Rookie team for the 2007 T-Mobile Rookie Challenge at the 2007 NBA All-Star Weekend. As a rookie in 2006-07, Williams played in 79 games,averaging 6.8 ppg and 3.3 apg.

[edit] Notes

[edit] External links

• Marcus Williams Statistics at Basketball-Reference.com
• Marcus Williams profile @ uconnhuskies.com
• Marcus Williams NBA Draft Profile @ ClutchFans.net
• Marcus Williams profile @ nbadraft.net
• Marcus Williams profile @ usabasketball.com