Kenny Williams (basketball)
Encyclopedia
Kenneth Ray "Kenny" Williams (born June 9, 1969 in Elizabeth City, North Carolina
) is a former professional basketball
player, most notably with the NBA's Indiana Pacers
. He was known for his stellar leaping ability and off-court problems.
Williams, a 6'9" forward, was a prep sensation at Elizabeth City (N.C) Northeastern High School.. His sophomore year, he averaged over 20 points and 12 rebounds a game.For his junior year, he transferred to Fork Union Military Academy in Virginia, where he averaged 17 points and 12 rebounds for a 29-0 team. In his senior year, he averaged 31 points per game and 12 rebounds a game, and was named state player of the year for North Carolina
in 1988. Williams was named first-team USA Today (over such players as Shawn Kemp
and Stanley Roberts
) and first-team Parade All-American. He participated in the McDonald's All-American and Capital Classic games.
Williams was one of the top four players in the class of 1988, along with Alonzo Mourning
, Billy Owens
and Kemp. He was heavily recruited by the University of North Carolina
, but was not offered a scholarship because of his failure to meet the minimum academic standards. He instead enrolled at Barton County Community College in Barton County, Kansas
(20.5 points and 8.9 rebounds per game).
In 1989-90, Williams attended Elizabeth City State University
, where he did not play basketball. He was subsequently selected in the second round of the 1990 NBA Draft
by the Indiana Pacers
(46th overall pick).
Williams played four seasons for the Pacers, from 1990
–1994
and had a career high 6.3 points per game while playing in 68 games in 1993-94. He scored a career high 25 points in a Pacers win against the Miami Heat
on February 9, 1994. For his career he averaged 4.8 points and 2.7 rebounds in 260 total games. He was also a contestant in the 1991 NBA Slam Dunk Contest but failed to qualify into the second round.
Following his NBA career, Williams went to Europe and played in several countries, mainly in Israel
: ASVEL Villeurbanne
(1995-96), Forli
(1996-97), Hapoel Jerusalem (1997-2000, 2001, being runner-up twice in the national cup and once in the league), Troy Pilsener Izmir (2000, returning to Hapoel shortly after), Bnei Herzeliya
(2001-02), Maccabi Ironi Ramat Gan
(2003-04), Hapoel Tel-Aviv
(2004-05, again losing in the league final) and Maccabi Giv'at Shmuel
(2005-06).
Elizabeth City, North Carolina
Elizabeth City is a city in Pasquotank County and Camden County in the State of North Carolina. With a population of 18,683 at the 2010 census, Elizabeth City is the county seat of Pasquotank County....
) is a former professional basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player, most notably with the NBA's Indiana Pacers
Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers are a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. They are members of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association...
. He was known for his stellar leaping ability and off-court problems.
Williams, a 6'9" forward, was a prep sensation at Elizabeth City (N.C) Northeastern High School.. His sophomore year, he averaged over 20 points and 12 rebounds a game.For his junior year, he transferred to Fork Union Military Academy in Virginia, where he averaged 17 points and 12 rebounds for a 29-0 team. In his senior year, he averaged 31 points per game and 12 rebounds a game, and was named state player of the year for North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
in 1988. Williams was named first-team USA Today (over such players as Shawn Kemp
Shawn Kemp
Shawn T. Kemp is a former American professional basketball player, who played in the National Basketball Association for 14 seasons. He was a six-time NBA All-Star and a three-time All-NBA Second Team member.-Early years:...
and Stanley Roberts
Stanley Roberts
Stanley Corvet Roberts is a retired American professional basketball player, in the center position.-High school and college:...
) and first-team Parade All-American. He participated in the McDonald's All-American and Capital Classic games.
Williams was one of the top four players in the class of 1988, along with Alonzo Mourning
Alonzo Mourning
Alonzo Harding Mourning, Jr. is a former American professional basketball player, who played most of his 15-year NBA career for the Miami Heat....
, Billy Owens
Billy Owens
Billy Eugene Owens is an American former professional basketball player.As a high school senior, Owens averaged 34 points per game, and helped lead Carlisle High School to four consecutive state titles. He was considered to be the second best prep player of 1988, behind Alonzo Mourning...
and Kemp. He was heavily recruited by the University of North Carolina
North Carolina Tar Heels
The North Carolina Tar Heels are the athletic teams for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The name Tar Heel is a nickname used to refer to individuals from the state of North Carolina, the Tar Heel State...
, but was not offered a scholarship because of his failure to meet the minimum academic standards. He instead enrolled at Barton County Community College in Barton County, Kansas
Barton County, Kansas
Barton County is a county located in Western Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 27,674. Its county seat and most populous city is Great Bend. The county is named in honor of Clara Barton, responsible for the founding of the American Red Cross...
(20.5 points and 8.9 rebounds per game).
In 1989-90, Williams attended Elizabeth City State University
Elizabeth City State University
Elizabeth City State University is a public, historically black college located in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, in the United States...
, where he did not play basketball. He was subsequently selected in the second round of the 1990 NBA Draft
1990 NBA Draft
The 1990 NBA Draft took place on June 27, 1990, in New York City, New York. This draft produced only one perennial All-Star,Gary Payton. Among the 54 picks, Payton is considered by far the best pick of the draft. Payton went on to be considered one of the greatest point guards of all time...
by the Indiana Pacers
Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers are a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. They are members of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association...
(46th overall pick).
Williams played four seasons for the Pacers, from 1990
1990-91 NBA season
-Statistics leaders:-NBA awards:*Most Valuable Player: Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls*Rookie of the Year: Derrick Coleman, New Jersey Nets*Defensive Player of the Year: Dennis Rodman, Detroit Pistons...
–1994
1993-94 NBA season
-Statistics leaders:-NBA awards:*Most Valuable Player: Hakeem Olajuwon, Houston Rockets*Rookie of the Year: Chris Webber, Golden State Warriors*Defensive Player of the Year: Hakeem Olajuwon, Houston Rockets...
and had a career high 6.3 points per game while playing in 68 games in 1993-94. He scored a career high 25 points in a Pacers win against the Miami Heat
Miami Heat
The Miami Heat is a professional basketball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. The team is a member of the Southeast Division in the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . They play their home games at American Airlines Arena in Downtown Miami...
on February 9, 1994. For his career he averaged 4.8 points and 2.7 rebounds in 260 total games. He was also a contestant in the 1991 NBA Slam Dunk Contest but failed to qualify into the second round.
Following his NBA career, Williams went to Europe and played in several countries, mainly in Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
: ASVEL Villeurbanne
ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne
ASVEL Basket or ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne is a French professional basketball team located in the city of Villeurbanne, which is a suburb of Lyon, France. The club, which is the basketball section of the ASVEL multi-sport club, competes in the French Pro A league. The club's home games are played at...
(1995-96), Forli
Fulgor Libertas Forlì
Fulgor Libertas Forlì is an Italian professional basketball team that is based in Forlì, Italy. The club is now competing in the second-highest Italian professional basketball division, Legadue.-History:...
(1996-97), Hapoel Jerusalem (1997-2000, 2001, being runner-up twice in the national cup and once in the league), Troy Pilsener Izmir (2000, returning to Hapoel shortly after), Bnei Herzeliya
Bnei HaSharon
Bnei HaSharon/Herzliya is a professional basketball club based in Herzliya, in central Israel. The club currently plays in Ligat HaAl, the top division of Israeli basketball.The club was created by the merge of Maccabi Ra'anana and Bnei Herzliya in 2002...
(2001-02), Maccabi Ironi Ramat Gan
Ironi Ramat Gan
Ironi Ramat Gan is a basketball club based in Ramat Gan in central Israel. The team plays in Liga Leumit, the Second division in Israeli basketball.The club was formed by a merger of Beitar Ramat Gan and Maccabi Ramat Gan...
(2003-04), Hapoel Tel-Aviv
Hapoel Tel Aviv B.C.
Hapoel Tel Aviv B.C. is an Israeli basketball club. The second most successful side in Israeli basketball, The club Owned by Hapoel Tel Aviv Supporters Trust and is currently in Liga Leumit, the Second tier.-History:...
(2004-05, again losing in the league final) and Maccabi Giv'at Shmuel
Maccabi Giv'at Shmuel
Habik'a Basketball Club is a basketball club originally from Giv'at Shmuel in Israel. The club plays in Ligat HaAl, the First division of Israeli basketball....
(2005-06).