Robert Williams III

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.

For other people with similar names, see Robert Williams.

Robert Williams III
Williams with the Boston Celtics in 2021
No. 35 – Portland Trail Blazers
PositionCenter / power forward
LeagueNBA
Personal information
Born (1997-10-17) October 17, 1997
Shreveport, Louisiana, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
Listed weight237 lb (108 kg)
Career information
High schoolNorth Caddo
(Vivian, Louisiana)
CollegeTexas A&M (2016–2018)
NBA draft2018: 1st round, 27th overall pick
Selected by the Boston Celtics
Playing career2018–present
Career history
2018–2023Boston Celtics
2018–2019→Maine Red Claws
2023–presentPortland Trail Blazers
Career highlights and awards
  • NBA All-Defensive Second Team (2022)
  • 2× SEC Defensive Player of the Year (2017, 2018)
  • Second-team All-SEC (2017)
  • SEC All-Freshman Team (2017)
  • 2× SEC All-Defensive Team (2017, 2018)
Stats  at NBA.com
Stats  at Basketball-Reference.com

Williams was drafted 27th overall in the 2018 NBA draft by the Boston Celtics. 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.[1] A consensus four-star recruit, he ranked 50th overall in ESPN’s Top 100 for the class of 2016[2] and was the number one prospect in the state of Louisiana.[3] He committed to Texas A&M University to play college basketball.[4][5]

College career

In his first college game, he scored five points and had five blocks and seven rebounds.[6][7] He was named SEC Defensive Player of the Year and earned 2nd Team All-SEC honors[8] 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.[9]

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.[10] 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.[11] Williams did not initially make a good impression, being criticized for showing up late and missing team functions.[12] His reputation for missing flights and video meetings caused him to earn the moniker "Time Lord" on online Boston Celtics fandoms. [13]

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.[14]

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.[15] 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.[16] He missed games 4 and 5, and the team lost the series 4–1.

Williams playing for the Boston Celtics attempts to block Deni Avdija's layup in 2022.

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.[17] On March 28, 2022, the Celtics announced that Williams had suffered a torn meniscus in his left knee and would be out indefinitely.[18] Two days later, he underwent surgery and was ruled out for at least 4-to-6 weeks.[19]

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.[20]

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

Regular season
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2018–19 Boston 3228.8.706–.6002.5.2.31.32.5
2019–20 Boston 29113.4.727–.6474.4.9.81.25.2
2020–21 Boston 521318.9.721.000.6166.91.8.81.88.0
2021–22 Boston 616129.6.736.000.7229.62.0.92.210.0
2022–23 Boston 352023.5.747.000.6108.31.4.61.48.0
Career 2099720.5.732.000.6566.91.4.71.77.3

Play-in
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2021 Boston 1114.21.000–1.0004.01.01.01.04.0
Career 1114.21.000–1.0004.01.01.01.04.0

Playoffs
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2019 Boston 304.3.500—1.0002.3.0.0.01.3
2020 Boston 13011.5.742.000.3333.9.8.2.53.7
2021 Boston 3015.3.643—.5005.0.7.33.06.3
2022 Boston 171523.2.679.000.8936.21.0.72.27.7
2023 Boston 20420.9.788.000.6796.01.0.51.37.7
Career 561918.2.729.000.7425.3.9.41.46.3

College
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2016–17 Texas A&M 311725.8.558.111.5908.21.4.72.511.9
2017–18 Texas A&M 302325.6.668.000.4719.21.4.82.610.4
Career 614025.7.624.067.5418.71.4.72.511.1

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.[21] Williams has two children.[22]

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.[23][24][25] This has, in turn, gained attention from Timex. Danny Ainge has been recorded as preferring the nickname "Lob".[26]

References
  1. "LeBron gives Robert Williams a passing lesson?". Archived from the original on July 23, 2019. Retrieved January 8, 2017.
  2. "Robert Williams - Basketball Recruiting - Player Profiles - ESPN". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
  3. "Texas A&M Signs Louisiana Standout Robert Williams". Texas A&M University Athletics Department. Archived from the original on July 23, 2019. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
  4. "North Caddo 2016 forward Robert Williams commits to Texas A&M". Archived from the original on June 21, 2018. Retrieved January 8, 2017.
  5. "Texas A&M's Robert Williams humble amid whirlwind rise". Archived from the original on April 23, 2020. Retrieved January 8, 2017.
  6. "Texas A&M freshman Robert Williams' stock is soaring after strong start". Archived from the original on November 8, 2020. Retrieved January 15, 2017.
  7. "Texas A&M's Robert Williams has NBA scouts' hearts as darkhorse one-and-done". Archived from the original on December 6, 2017. Retrieved January 8, 2017.
  8. "Robert Williams is SEC Defensive Player of the Year". shreveporttimes.com. Archived from the original on August 9, 2020. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
  9. Nathan, Alec. "Robert Williams Announces Return to Texas A&M, Will Forgo 2017 NBA Draft". Bleacher Report. Archived from the original on July 23, 2019. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
  10. "Former North Caddo star Robert Williams turning pro". Archived from the original on July 23, 2019. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
  11. "Celtics Sign Robert Williams". NBA.com. July 5, 2018. Archived from the original on November 9, 2020. Retrieved July 5, 2018.
  12. "Celtics Rookie Robert Williams' Draft Day Fall Suddenly Makes Perfect Sense". The Big Lead. July 10, 2018. Archived from the original on July 23, 2019. Retrieved July 12, 2018.
  13. "Where did Robert Williams's nickname come from?". Boston.com. December 14, 2018. Archived from the original on May 23, 2021. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  14. "Sources: Robert Williams impresses in coming out party with the Celtics". boston.com. Archived from the original on December 17, 2018. Retrieved December 15, 2018.
  15. Leger, Justin (May 23, 2021). "Time Lord sets C's playoff record in Game 1 vs. Nets". NBC Sports Boston. Archived from the original on June 27, 2021. Retrieved June 27, 2021.
  16. Vatour, Matt (May 29, 2021). "Rob Williams injury: Boston Celtics big man sprains ankle, won't return". masslive. Archived from the original on June 27, 2021. Retrieved June 27, 2021.
  17. DiGiovanni, Sam (December 31, 2021). "The reason Robert Williams surprised Ime Udoka in Celtics' win over Suns". ClutchPoints. Archived from the original on December 31, 2021. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
  18. "Celtics' Robert Williams III suffers torn meniscus in left knee, out indefinitely". CBS Sports. Retrieved March 28, 2022.
  19. "Boston Celtics center Robert Williams III expected to miss 4-6 weeks after surgery to repair meniscus". ESPN. Retrieved March 30, 2022.
  20. "Trail Blazers Acquire Malcolm Brogdon and Robert Williams III". NBA.com. October 1, 2023. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
  21. "Sources: Boston Celtics rookie Robert Williams has artery condition in his legs". masslive.com. Archived from the original on July 12, 2018. Retrieved July 12, 2018.
  22. "Celtics' Robert Williams Announces Birth Of Child After Missing Game". nesn.com. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
  23. "Where did Robert Williams's nickname come from?". Archived from the original on February 18, 2022. Retrieved February 18, 2022.
  24. "Celtics Sign 'Time Lord' to Multiyear Extension: Report". August 20, 2021. Archived from the original on February 18, 2022. Retrieved February 18, 2022.
  25. "'Time Lord' Nickname May Lead to a Watch Sponsorship for Robert Williams". September 2020. Archived from the original on February 18, 2022. Retrieved February 18, 2022.
  26. "Sources: Where did Robert Williams's nickname come from?". boston.com. Archived from the original on December 15, 2018. Retrieved December 15, 2018.
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