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Terrence Williams
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Terrence Williams
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Terrence Deshon Williams (born June 28, 1987) is an American former professional basketball player. Williams was drafted 11th overall in the 2009 NBA draft by the New Jersey Nets. He was the senior co-captain for the 2008–09 University of Louisville Cardinals.

Key Information

Early career

[edit]

At Rainier Beach High School, Williams was a four-year starter on the basketball team. He helped the team to a state title in 2003. He averaged 21.7 points his senior year. He was also a starting wide receiver and free safety on the football team. He considered attending Indiana and Kansas before deciding to play for the University of Louisville Cardinals.[1]

In the 2007–08 University of Louisville season, Williams achieved the third and fourth triple-doubles in Louisville basketball history (the first two by Samaki Walker and Ellis Myles). He racked up 14 points, 13 assists and 12 rebounds in the Cardinals' season-opening 104–69 win over Hartford[2] and had 10 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists in a January 19, 2008 loss to Seton Hall.[3]

Williams appeared on three straight Sports Illustrated covers [4] and is one of few athletes to do so. He was also a finalist in the Lowe's Senior Class Award[5] and was named to the Lowe's Senior Class All-Senior All-America first team.[6]

Williams had extraordinary overall athletic abilities as recognized by his college coach Rick Pitino. "He's a freakish athlete", Pitino said.[7] He is known for his slam dunking abilities and won the dunk contest at the 2005 Kentucky Derby Basketball Classic.[8]

Professional career

[edit]

New Jersey Nets (2009–2010)

[edit]
Williams with the Nets

Williams was drafted by the New Jersey Nets with the 11th overall pick in the 2009 NBA draft and was signed to a four-year contract.[9] He saw playing time early in his rookie season but was relegated to a lesser role as a result of poor behavior; he was late for meetings, missed a team bus and slept in through a shoot-around.[10] His playing time increased after an injury to Devin Harris and a meeting with the team president, Rod Thorn, and interim coach, Kiki VanDeWeghe.[10] On April 9, 2010, Williams recorded a triple-double with a career-high 27 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists in a double overtime 127–116 win over the Chicago Bulls. It was the first triple-double by a Nets rookie since 2001.[11]

Williams continued to violate team policy during the beginning of his sophomore season.[12] Fines issued by the Nets failed to deter Williams from his past transgressions of being late to practices and team meetings.[12] On November 26, 2010, he was assigned to the Springfield Armor of the NBA D-League.[13] Nets head coach Avery Johnson denied that the assignment was due to disciplinary reasons but instead because the team did not have enough minutes for Williams.[12] He was recalled on December 7, 2010.[14]

Houston Rockets (2010–2012)

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On December 15, 2010, Williams was traded to the Houston Rockets in a three-team trade involving the Nets and Los Angeles Lakers.[15] He averaged 4.5 points and 2.3 rebounds in 12 games played for Rockets.[16] On March 16, 2012, Williams was waived by the Rockets.[17]

In a 2014 interview, Daryl Morey called the loss of a first-round pick for Williams one of his worst moves as a general manager.[18]

Sacramento Kings (2012)

[edit]

After being waived by the Rockets, Williams signed a 10-day contract with the Sacramento Kings on March 21, 2012.[19] He was signed for the remainder of the season on March 31, 2012.[20][21]

Guangdong Southern Tigers (2012–2013)

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In October 2012, Williams joined the Detroit Pistons for their training camp.[22] On October 22, 2012, Williams was waived by the Detroit Pistons.[23]

In November 2012, he joined the Guangdong Southern Tigers of China.[24] He left the Tigers in February 2013.

Boston Celtics (2013)

[edit]

On February 20, 2013, Williams signed a 10-day contract with the Boston Celtics.[25] On March 3, 2013, Williams re-signed to a multi-year contract with the Celtics.[26] His appearance on May 3, 2013, in the Celtics’ Game 6 first round playoff loss to the New York Knicks would be his final appearance in the NBA. On June 30, 2013, he was waived by the Celtics.[27]

Türk Telekom (2013)

[edit]

In October 2013, Williams signed with Türk Telekom.[28] He parted ways with them on November 14, after playing only two games in Turkish Basketball League.[29]

Los Angeles D-Fenders (2013–2014)

[edit]

On December 31, 2013, Williams was acquired by the Los Angeles D-Fenders.[30] He set the D-Fenders franchise single-game scoring record with 50 points on January 31, 2014, against the Idaho Stampede, surpassing 49 earlier that season by Manny Harris.[31]

Brujos de Guayama (2014)

[edit]

In April 2014, Williams signed with Brujos de Guayama of Puerto Rico.[32] He was waived on May 1, 2014.[33]

Meralco Bolts (2014)

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On May 18, 2014, Williams signed with Meralco Bolts,[34] but left seven days later after just three games.[35]

Soles de Santo Domingo (2014)

[edit]

Williams joined Soles de Santo Domingo of the Dominican Republic in 2014.

Reales de La Vega (2014)

[edit]

Williams joined Reales de La Vega of the Dominican Republic in 2014.

Fuerza Regia (2014–2015)

[edit]

On December 26, 2014, WIlliams signed with Fuerza Regia of Mexico.[36] In his first game, he scored 19 points in the game that Fuerza Regia won 101–85 against Gigantes Estado de Mexico. Williams also grabbed 2 rebounds and has 6 assists.[37]

Vaqueros de Bayamón (2015)

[edit]

On January 17, 2015, Williams signed with Maccabi Ashdod of Israel.[38] Ten days later, he left the club before playing in a single game for them.[39] In March 2015, he signed with Vaqueros de Bayamón of Puerto Rico.[40] He was released by the club after appearing in just two league games.[41]

Guaiqueríes de Margarita (2015)

[edit]

In April 2015, Williams signed with Guaiqueríes de Margarita of Venezuela for the rest of the 2015 LPB season.[42]

On October 6, 2015, Williams signed with the upcoming AmeriLeague to play on the following season.[43] However, the league folded after it was discovered the founder was a con artist.[44]

NBA career statistics

[edit]
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

[edit]
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2009–10 New Jersey 78 9 22.6 .401 .310 .715 4.5 2.9 .6 .1 8.4
2010–11 New Jersey 10 0 20.6 .397 .333 .500 3.6 3.1 .5 .0 6.7
2010–11 Houston 11 0 7.6 .333 .200 .818 1.4 .6 .4 .0 3.5
2011–12 Houston 12 0 15.1 .351 .421 .500 2.4 .8 .3 .1 4.5
2011–12 Sacramento 18 0 20.5 .461 .296 .618 4.1 3.1 .9 .3 8.8
2012–13 Boston 24 0 13.3 .495 .333 .429 1.8 1.6 .5 .1 4.6
Career 153 9 19.1 .412 .317 .659 3.6 2.4 .5 .1 7.1

Playoffs

[edit]
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2013 Boston 5 0 9.6 .200 .000 .500 2.0 1.2 .0 .2 1.0
Career 5 0 9.6 .200 .000 .500 2.0 1.2 .0 .2 1.0

Personal life

[edit]

Williams has estimated that he owns over 300 pairs of sneakers.[7] His nickname is "T-Will".

Criminal charges

[edit]

On October 7, 2021, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Audrey Strauss, criminally charged Williams and 15 others in connection with an alleged scheme to defraud the NBA's health plan, in which nearly $4 million in fraudulent claims appeared to have been made. Strauss referred to Williams as the leader of the conspiracy. The charges alleged that Williams obtained fraudulent medical and dental invoices, sent them to his co-conspirators, including other former NBA players, and claims were submitted by the aforementioned co-conspirators to the plan, which paid "most" claims for medical care never rendered. Nineteen people were charged in the indictment on counts of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud.[45]

On August 3, 2023, Williams was sentenced to 10 years in prison for his role in the scheme.[46]

See also

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References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Terrence Williams

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Terrence Williams is an American former professional player who played as a shooting guard and small forward in the (NBA) from 2009 to 2013, after a standout college career at the . Born on June 28, 1987, in , Washington, he was selected 11th overall in the by the New Jersey Nets following his senior year as co-captain of the , where he averaged 12.5 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game in the 2008–09 season. Over his NBA tenure, Williams appeared in 153 games across four teams—the Nets, , , and —averaging 7.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game, with notable achievements including an NBA Rookie of the Month award in April 2010 and a triple-double in his debut season. After his NBA career, he continued playing professionally in the and overseas leagues until around 2017. Williams' professional journey began with promise as a versatile, athletic known for his passing and defensive skills, but it was hampered by inconsistent shooting and limited playing time after his rookie year. Traded to the Rockets in 2010 for future draft considerations, he showed flashes of potential, including a career-high 27 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists against the on April 9, 2010, but bounced between teams and was waived multiple times by 2013. Post-NBA, he joined the in the G League and later played for teams in , Venezuela, and , maintaining his basketball career internationally for several years. In 2021, Williams faced significant legal consequences when he was charged as the leader of a to defraud the NBA's , recruiting at least 18 former players to submit over $4 million in false medical claims starting in 2017, from which he personally received approximately $230,000 in kickbacks. He pleaded guilty in August 2022 to to commit and wire , as well as aggravated , and was sentenced in August 2023 to 10 years in by U.S. District Judge in . As of 2025, Williams is serving his sentence in . The scheme involved fabricating , dental, and wellness treatments, marking a controversial end to his post-playing endeavors.

Early life and education

Childhood and family background

Terrence Williams was born on June 28, 1987, in Seattle, Washington, and raised in the Rainier Valley neighborhood, a predominantly working-class area known for its diverse community and urban challenges. He grew up in the Rainier Beach area, specifically in government-assisted Section 8 housing referred to locally as the "8 Block," where his family faced significant socioeconomic hardships including overcrowding and limited resources. From a young age, Williams navigated instability, sharing a crowded three-bedroom house with his mother, Sherry Jackson, a younger sister, a baby brother, two uncles, two aunts, a cousin, and his grandmother, often making do with hand-me-downs like shared shoes amid the family's financial strains. Williams' family structure was profoundly shaped by tragedy early on. His , Edgar Williams, was murdered in 1993, just hours after being released from , when Terrence was only six years old; the loss left a lasting emotional impact, with Williams recalling being inconsolable at the . Following this, his mother, , faced her own legal troubles and was imprisoned, attending the in chains, which further disrupted the household and led Williams to alternate living arrangements between relatives, including an aunt's home and later the family of a neighborhood friend. Despite these obstacles, Jackson remained a pivotal influence, providing emotional support and stability when possible, while the extended family, including uncles, encouraged his interests through shared activities. Williams' initial exposure to basketball came through the vibrant street culture of Seattle's Rainier Valley, where he played in local parks and developed his skills alongside neighborhood peers, including future NBA player . Family encouragement played a key role, with his uncles introducing him to the game by showing videotapes of Magic Johnson's playmaking style, igniting his passion for passing and team play from an early age. These urban influences, combined with the supportive yet challenging family environment, helped foster Williams' resilience and athletic talents, setting the foundation for his organized sports involvement.

High school career

Terrence Williams began his high school basketball career at Franklin High School in Seattle before transferring to Rainier Beach High School as a sophomore in 2002. The move to Rainier Beach marked a pivotal shift, where he quickly emerged as a key contributor on a talented squad featuring the Stewart twins. During his sophomore season in 2002–03, Williams helped lead the Vikings to a Washington state championship, contributing to one of three state tournament appearances during his time there. As a junior in 2003–04, Williams averaged 18.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 6.2 assists per game, powering Rainier Beach to a 26–2 record before a narrow double-overtime loss (64–68) in the state championship game to . His senior year in 2004–05 saw even greater dominance, with averages of 21.7 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 7.8 assists, guiding the team to a 21–8 mark and a berth in the state semifinals. Williams earned first-team all-area honors and a spot on the Washington All-State team, recognizing his versatility as a 6-foot-6 guard/forward who excelled in scoring, rebounding, and playmaking. Williams' standout high school performances drew national attention, ranking him No. 44 overall in the class of 2005 by the Recruiting Services Consensus Index. He received offers from several major programs, including and , but committed to the on June 20, 2004, following an official visit, citing the appeal of coach Rick Pitino's up-tempo style. His recruitment highlighted Rainier Beach's as a powerhouse in , bolstered by local AAU circuits that showcased his athleticism.

College career at Louisville

Terrence Williams enrolled at the in 2005, joining the Cardinals men's team under head coach , where he played from the 2005–06 through the 2008–09 seasons. As a in 2005–06, Williams appeared in 33 games, starting 21, while averaging 25.1 minutes, 8.4 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game, contributing to a team that reached the NCAA Tournament's second round. His role expanded significantly as a sophomore in 2006–07, when he started all 34 games, boosting his averages to 33.0 minutes, 12.4 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.8 assists, helping Louisville secure a second consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance. By his junior year (2007–08), Williams was a full-time starter in all 36 games, logging a career-high 35.9 minutes per contest and posting 11.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 4.5 assists, while leading the Big East in total minutes played (1,293). In his senior season (2008–09), Williams solidified his status as a versatile leader, starting 36 of 37 games and averaging 34.2 minutes, 12.5 points, a career-best 8.6 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game, while topping the Big East in total steals (86) and ranking eighth nationally in steals. Over his four-year career, spanning 140 games with 127 starts, he accumulated 1,561 points, 970 rebounds, and 545 assists, translating to averages of 11.1 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game; he recorded 11 double-doubles and scored in double figures on 54 occasions. Williams earned three All-Big East honors: second-team selections in 2007 and 2008, followed by first-team recognition in 2009, along with third-team All-American accolades from the and National Association of Basketball Coaches that same year. Williams played a pivotal role in Louisville's 2008–09 campaign, which culminated in a No. 1 seed and a run to the —the program's first since 1986—as the Cardinals finished 31–6 overall and won the Big East regular-season title. In the NCAA Tournament, he averaged 14.0 points, 9.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.0 steals across four games, with standout performances including 24 points and a career-high 15 rebounds in a second-round victory over (79–72). Other tournament contributions included 13 points and 9 rebounds against Morehead State in the first round, 14 points with 7 rebounds and 6 assists versus in the Sweet 16, and 5 points with 6 rebounds in the Final Four semifinal loss to Michigan State (64–52).

Professional basketball career

NBA career (2009–2013)

Williams was selected by the Nets with the 11th overall pick in the first round of the . Following the draft, he signed a four-year rookie scale contract with the Nets worth approximately $9.6 million. During his rookie season with the Nets in 2009–10, Williams primarily came off the bench as a versatile guard/forward, providing energy and defensive contributions in limited minutes. His college success at Louisville, where he demonstrated multi-positional skills, had positioned him as a promising lottery pick, but adapting to the professional game's pace and physicality proved challenging early on. On December 15, 2010, the Nets traded Williams to the Houston Rockets in a three-team deal that also involved the Los Angeles Lakers, with Houston sending a lottery-protected 2012 first-round draft pick to New Jersey. Over the next season and a half with the Rockets through 2011–12, Williams saw even more restricted playing time, often hampered by injuries and struggles with shooting efficiency, which limited his ability to secure a consistent rotation spot. Williams' NBA journey continued briefly with the , who signed him to a 10-day contract on March 21, 2012, to bolster their backcourt depth amid injuries. Later, on February 20, 2013, the signed him to a 10-day contract, which was converted to a multi-year deal on March 3, allowing him to appear in 24 games off the bench during the end of the 2012–13 season, offering sporadic contributions before being waived in June 2013. Throughout his four NBA seasons, Williams served as a multi-faceted wing player capable of handling the ball and defending multiple positions, though persistent issues with consistency and efficiency hindered his establishment as a regular contributor.

D-League and international career (2013–2015)

After being waived by the in 2013, Williams joined the Los Angeles D-Fenders of the NBA D-League (now G League) on December 31, 2013, where he quickly emerged as a key contributor during the 2013–14 season. Playing 32 games, he averaged 20.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 6.4 assists per game, showcasing his versatility as a guard-forward. His standout performances included a D-Fenders franchise record of 50 points in a single game on January 31, 2014, against the Idaho Stampede, earning him the D-League Performer of the Month award for January after averaging 21.5 points and 6.1 assists that month. Williams was selected to the All-NBA D-League Third Team for his impact, helping the D-Fenders reach the playoffs. Williams' NBA experience provided him with the skills to pursue opportunities abroad, but his post-D-League career from 2013 to 2015 was marked by frequent short-term contracts across multiple international leagues, often lasting just a few games due to performance inconsistencies, contract disputes, or team needs. Following his with the during the 2012–13 season—where he averaged 17.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 4.1 assists in 27 games before departing in February 2013—Williams signed with in Turkey's in October 2013. However, he played only two games for the team, averaging limited minutes, before leaving on November 14, 2013, to return to . In 2014, Williams continued his peripatetic path through various leagues, adapting to diverse playing styles and cultural environments while facing challenges in establishing long-term stability. He signed with Brujos de Guayama in Puerto Rico's in April 2014 but was waived after about a month. Later that year, he briefly joined the in the Philippines' on May 18, 2014, appearing in three games and scoring 26 points in his final outing before departing on May 25 amid the team's . Williams then moved to the Dominican Republic's Liga Nacional de Baloncesto, playing for Soles de and Reales de La Vega in 2014, though specific performance details from these short stints remain limited. Williams' international odyssey extended into the 2014–15 season with engagements in and , highlighting ongoing transitions driven by contractual opportunities and performance evaluations. On December 26, 2014, he signed with Fuerza Regia in Mexico's LNBP, debuting with 19 points in a January 2015 game and contributing as a scoring option during the regular season and playoffs. Returning to , he played for in the BSN during 2014–15, appearing in limited games and averaging around 16.5 , though his role varied amid team rotations. These frequent moves underscored the challenges of navigating foreign leagues' differing paces, physicality, and expectations, often resulting in abbreviated tenures. In April 2015, Williams concluded this period by signing with Guaiqueríes de Margarita in Venezuela's LPB for the remainder of the season, providing a final burst of professional play before stepping away from competitive .

Career statistics and achievements

NBA statistics

Terrence Williams played 153 games over four NBA seasons from 2009 to 2013, primarily as a reserve guard-forward, averaging 7.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game in 19.0 minutes. His career (PER) was 11.0, with a (TS%) of .468 and usage rate (USG%) of 21.3%, reflecting a role player contribution marked by occasional scoring bursts but inconsistent playing time. Notable achievements include the NBA Rookie of the Month award for 2010 and a triple-double (27 points, 13 rebounds, 10 assists) in a game against the on April 9, 2010.

Regular Season

Williams' NBA regular season per-game statistics varied by team and season, with his most extensive play during his rookie year with the Nets. The following table summarizes his key per-game averages, including advanced metrics where available.
SeasonTeamGMPPTSTRBASTPERTS%USG%
2009-10NJN7822.68.44.52.911.5.45921.8
2010-11NJN1020.66.73.63.16.2.43323.1
2010-11HOU117.63.51.40.68.6.41628.8
2011-12HOU1215.14.52.30.86.2.43418.1
2011-12SAC1820.58.84.13.116.5.51022.2
2012-132413.34.61.81.612.3.51819.1
Career15319.07.13.62.411.0.46821.3
Data sourced from official NBA records; splits for multi-team seasons reflect time with each franchise. His highest PER (16.5) and TS% (.510) came during a 18-game stint with the Sacramento Kings in 2011-12, where he provided bench scoring and playmaking.

Playoffs

Williams appeared in only five playoff games during his NBA career, all with the Boston Celtics in the 2013 Eastern Conference First Round against the New York Knicks, averaging minimal contributions off the bench.
SeasonTeamGMPPTSTRBASTPERTS%USG%
2012-1359.61.02.01.20.6.23015.8
Career59.61.02.01.20.6.23015.8
These limited minutes yielded low efficiency, with a notably poor TS% due to ineffective in high-stakes situations.

International and statistics

Williams played in the NBA Development League (now G League) during two seasons, primarily with the Los Angeles D-Fenders in 2013–14, where he established himself as a high-scoring guard-forward. In 32 regular-season games that year, he averaged 20.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 6.4 assists per game while shooting 42.1% from the field. His performance earned him the NBA D-League Player of the Month award for January 2014, during which he averaged 21.5 points and 6.1 assists. Additionally, Williams was selected to the All-NBA D-League Third Team for the 2013–14 season. He set the D-Fenders' single-game scoring record with 50 points on January 31, 2014, against the Idaho Stampede. Earlier, in three games with the Springfield Armor in 2010–11, he posted triple-double averages of 28.0 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 10.7 assists per game. In 2015, he signed with the Long Island Nets but was waived after preseason without regular-season appearances.
SeasonTeamGMPFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
2010–11Springfield Armor341.0.426.500.80011.310.71.30.728.0
2013–14 D-Fenders3235.7.421.381.6345.06.41.40.220.5
Regular season per-game averages; source: Basketball-Reference.com Internationally, Williams competed in several leagues following his NBA tenure, with his most substantial stint in China's CBA during the 2012–13 season with the , where he appeared in 29 games and averaged 17.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game. Shorter engagements included the ' PBA with in 2014 (3 games, 21.7 ), Puerto Rico's BSN with Guayama (5 games, 11.8 ) and Bayamon (2 games, 16.5 ) in 2014–15, Mexico's LNBP with Fuerza Regia in 2014–15 (4 games, 15.0 ), Venezuela's LPB with Guaiqueries in 2015 (5 games, 4.4 ), and a single game in the Dominican Republic's LNB with Cocolos in 2013–14 (16 points). In 2016, he played for Al-Manama in the . No league-specific honors were recorded from these overseas appearances.

Personal life

Family and early influences

Terrence Williams was born on June 28, 1987, in Seattle, Washington, to parents Sherry Jackson and Edgar Williams. His father was murdered in April 1993 when Terrence was six years old, leaving a profound impact on the family. At the time, his mother was incarcerated and attended the funeral in restraints, a memory that Williams has described as haunting. Upon her release, Jackson reunited with Williams and his younger sister, later expanding the household to include a baby brother, two uncles, two aunts, a cousin, and their grandmother, all living together in cramped Section 8 housing known locally as the "8 Block." Williams is a father to two sons, born in 2003 and 2007, who have remained in as he pursued his professional career. Following his college graduation and entry into the NBA in 2009, Williams maintained strong familial bonds, frequently returning to to support his children and amid the demands of his schedule. These relationships underscored his role as a provider, drawing from the collective resilience he observed in his upbringing. Beyond basketball, Williams' early influences included the challenges of and loss in Seattle's underserved communities, fostering a deep sense of pride in his roots—evident in his "Section 8" and a forearm tattoo featuring the number 8 in a , shared with close friend . He developed non-athletic interests such as collecting sneakers, amassing 78 pairs by 2009, and playing video games as outlets for relaxation.

Post-basketball activities

Following his retirement from professional in 2015, Terrence Williams sought to revive his playing career by entering the draft pool for the 3-on-3 league in 2019. The league, founded by rapper and featuring retired NBA players, represented a potential basketball-related venture for Williams at age 31, though he was not selected in the draft. Limited public details exist on further , camps, or interests during this period, with Williams maintaining a low profile away from organized sports.

Involvement in NBA health care fraud

Terrence Williams orchestrated a fraud scheme targeting the National Basketball Association Players' Health and Welfare Benefit Plan from approximately 2017 to 2021, during which he and his accomplices submitted fraudulent claims for medical and dental services that were never rendered, resulting in the theft of nearly $5 million from the plan. The operation relied on fabricated invoices from chiropractic, dental, and wellness providers in California and Washington state, as well as forged letters of medical necessity containing obvious errors such as misspelled names and lack of proper letterhead. To facilitate approvals, Williams engaged in identity theft by impersonating administrative staff of the plan through fake email accounts, directing reimbursements to debit cards issued to eligible participants. As the ringleader, Williams recruited more than a dozen accomplices, including associates, a -based , doctors in and Washington, and other non-medical professionals, by offering them kickbacks to submit or assist with the false claims. He personally handled the procurement of fraudulent documentation and coordinated the submission process, often targeting dental and vision reimbursements that required minimal verification. This post-basketball endeavor exploited Williams' familiarity with the plan's benefits, which he had accessed as a former NBA player. The scheme involved more than 18 former NBA players, who submitted fraudulent claims as part of the . Williams personally profited from over $300,000 in kickbacks, including approximately $346,000 from one co-conspirator, underscoring the financial incentives that drove the operation's scale and persistence.

Arrest, trial, and sentencing

In October 2021, Terrence Williams was charged in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York with conspiracy to commit and wire fraud, as well as aggravated , in connection with a scheme to defraud the NBA Players’ Health and Welfare Benefit Plan. He was arrested the same day, October 7, 2021, and initially presented in federal court in the Western District of Washington before the case proceeded in New York. Williams did not proceed to a full but instead entered a guilty on August 26, 2022, before U.S. District Judge , admitting to the conspiracy to commit health care and wire , along with aggravated . As part of the agreement, he acknowledged his role as the leader of the and agreed to pay restitution and forfeiture amounts. However, following his , Williams engaged in obstructive conduct by threatening a potential , which led to his pretrial release being revoked in May 2022 and him being detained pending sentencing. On August 3, 2023, Judge Caproni sentenced Williams to a 10-year term of , followed by three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $2.5 million in restitution to the NBA health plan and to forfeit $653,672.55 in proceeds from the scheme. The judge described Williams' actions as driven by "stupidity and greed," noting his lack of remorse and the scheme's exploitation of vulnerable former players. As of November 2025, Williams remains incarcerated at a , with no reported appeals or early release. The case against Williams had broader repercussions for his co-conspirators, including at least 23 other individuals such as former NBA players, medical professionals, and an insurance broker, who faced federal charges in the same indictment. Over half of the defendants, including players like Tony Allen and Shannon Brown, pleaded guilty and received sentences ranging from probation and community service to multi-year prison terms, with some benefiting from reduced penalties due to their cooperation with prosecutors. Two co-defendants, Glen Davis and William Bynum, were convicted at trial in November 2023 on related fraud charges. The proceedings prompted increased scrutiny of the NBA's health benefits administration, though specific plan reforms were not publicly detailed in court records.

References

  1. https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/willite01.html
  2. https://www.statmuse.com/nba/player/terrence-williams-4060
  3. https://www.nbadraft.net/players/terrence-williams/
  4. https://www.nba.com/news/18-ex-nba-players-charged-in-4m-health-care-fraud-scheme
  5. https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/former-nba-player-terrence-williams-sentenced-10-years-prison-defrauding-nba-players
  6. https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/38129251/ex-nba-player-terrence-williams-sentenced-10-years-prison
  7. https://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/29/garden/29williams.html
  8. https://www.si.com/more-sports/2009/03/10/terrence-williams
  9. https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/20021210/metrocaps10/boys-basketball-metro-league-outlook
  10. https://www.king5.com/article/sports/high-school/throwback-thursday-terrence-williams-high-school-highlights/281-147196491
  11. https://gocards.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/terrence-williams/433
  12. http://www.chronline.com/stories/prep-scores%2C232234
  13. https://247sports.com/college/louisville/article/sf-terrence-williams-receives-honor-104177107/
  14. https://www.espn.com/college-sports/recruiting/news/story?id=1825509
  15. https://247sports.com/player/terrence-williams-66216/
  16. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/1875209/2020/06/17/louisville-basketball-recruits-top-10-bottom-5/
  17. https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/terrence-williams-1.html
  18. https://gocards.com/news/2007/3/5/Three_Cardinals_Earn_All_BIG_EAST_Conference_Honors
  19. https://gocards.com/news/2008/3/10/Padgett_Williams_Earn_All_BIG_EAST_Honors
  20. https://gocards.com/news/2009/3/8/Williams_Clark_Samuels_Earn_BIG_EAST_Honors
  21. https://collegehoopedia.com/players/terrence-williams
  22. https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/terrence-williams-1/gamelog/2009
  23. https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_2009.html
  24. https://www.espn.com/nba/player/bio/_/id/4019/terrence-williams
  25. https://www.nba.com/rockets/news/rockets_acquire_terrence_willi_2010_12_15.html
  26. https://www.nba.com/kings/news/terrence_williams_release_2012_03_21.html
  27. https://www.nba.com/celtics/news/press_release/celtics-sign-terrence-williams
  28. https://www.nba.com/celtics/news/press_release/celtics-sign-williams-multi-year-contract
  29. https://www.netsdaily.com/2013/12/31/5260376/terrence-williams-joins-l-a-d-fenders-after-nets-pass
  30. https://stats.gleague.nba.com/player/201944/career
  31. https://www.proballers.com/basketball/player/47721/terrence-williams
  32. https://lakersnation.com/d-fenders-news-williams-southerland-earn-all-nba-d-league-honors/
  33. https://www.basketball-reference.com/international/teams/guangdong/2013.html
  34. https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/celtics/2013/02/20/terrance-williams-boston-celtics/1933521/
  35. https://www.shamsports.com/player-profile?pid=1113
  36. https://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/college/louisville/2013/10/24/former-louisville-basketball-player-terrence-williams-signs-with-turkish-club/3177519
  37. https://www.rotowire.com/basketball/player.php?id=3031
  38. https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/sports/basketball/361767/pba-the-imports-of-the-2014-governors-cup-part-two/story/
  39. https://basketball.realgm.com/international/league/60/Filipino-PBA/team/935/Meralco-Bolts/rosters/2014
  40. https://basketball.latinbasket.com/player/Terrence_Williams/99073
  41. https://www.proballers.com/basketball/team/2430/vaqueros-de-bayamon/2014
  42. https://www.hoopshype.com/story/sports/nba/rumors/2015/04/29/terrence-williams-continues-to-travel-around-the/85035373007/
  43. https://www.basketball-reference.com/gleague/players/w/willite01d.html
  44. https://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/college/louisville/2014/02/04/terrence-williams-awarded-nba-d-leagues-player-of-the-month-humbled-by-experience/5202199/
  45. https://www.ridiculousupside.com/2014/5/1/5672748/nba-d-league-announces-its-all-nbadl-team-selections
  46. https://www.ridiculousupside.com/2014/2/1/5367204/terrence-williams-sets-franchise-record-with-50-points-for-d-fenders-nba-d-league
  47. https://www.basketball-reference.com/international/players/terrence-williams-1.html
  48. https://basketball.asia-basket.com/player/Terrence-Williams/99073
  49. https://bigredlouie.com/2019/02/22/louisville-basketball-t-will-looks-chance-resurrect-career-big-3/
  50. https://www.cbssports.com/big3/news/2019-big3-basketball-league-gilbert-arenas-joe-johnson-josh-smith-headline-list-of-new-players-for-third-season/
  51. https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/former-nba-player-terrence-williams-pleads-guilty-defrauding-nba-players-health-and
  52. https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/19-defendants-charged-defrauding-national-basketball-association-players-health-and
  53. https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/us-attorney-announces-charges-against-doctor-dentist-and-former-nba-player-defrauding
  54. https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/34470979/ex-nba-player-terrence-williams-pleads-guilty-fraud-case
  55. https://www.reuters.com/sports/basketball/ringleader-nba-health-care-fraud-gets-10-years-prison-2023-08-03/
  56. https://www.lawyer-monthly.com/2025/02/terrence-williams-celebrity-convict-8/
  57. https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nba/news/nba-health-care-fraud-scheme-full-list-players-sentences/uyfxlmtty4qv0spktk4gjziz
  58. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/two-former-nba-players-convicted-roles-health-care-fraud-rcna125476
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