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Williams, Jay. Life Is Not an Accident: A Memoir of Reinvention. Harper, an Imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, 2017.

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Jay Williams was showing off his new gear for his motorcycle to his friend Kevin. Kevin told Jay to not ride it because of the dangerous things that could happen. There was also a time when Jay was riding with his buddies and one of his buddies wheels did something wrong and he went flying. Jay was scared, but never thought about it like that. He was riding his motocycle. Something happened with the wheel and Jay was focusing on pressing it back down. But he didn't realized what he was about to run into.

Evidence #1

"'You shouldn't be riding that thing' he said. 'Kevin, I shouldn't he doing a lot of things' I said. A few minutes later, I was bleeding to death" (10).

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Jay crashed into a pole. He was screaming Kevins name in hopes to getting his attention. Kevin quickly ran to him and said he was going to be okay. Jay never felt this kind of pain before. It was so horrible, he would not wish this pain on his emimies. After the ambulence arrives, Jay was worried about his injuries knowing he ruined his career. He asked Kevin for his phone so he can make a call. He stayed calm and called his parents saying he was in an accident and that they need to come over here quickly.

Evidence #2

"I began screaming Kevin's name over and over again. I was in so much pain and unable to move, from my midsection down. I was certain that I was paralyzed" (13).

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Jay asked his docotor if he was going to play again and they wern't sure on how to awnser so that made Jay lose a little hope. His parents came to visit him and Jay appolagized to them. Jay had weird experecies such as him waking up upsidedown. His coach came to visit one day and told Jay that he was going to play again. His coaches words made him feel better and a little more confindent.

Evidence #3

"'I'm never going to play again' I began to sob. ... 'Give this back to me when you play again, because you are going to play again' (25).

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Jay talks about his childhood and he mentions about his absuvie dad who is now a better person. During his childhood he loved basketball and always played outside. One time he was playing basketball with these older kids and they stole his ball. Jay eventually told his dad about it and his dad told him to go get it back and he did. His dad thought Jay to stand up to himself.

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Jay was thinking about which college he should go. His parents even helped him with the search by interveing different coachs and what kind of school and basketball program they offer. He was going to stick to going to Rutgers, but he scheduled a trip down south to meet with Duke's coach, Mike Krzyzewski. After their, talk, Jay was committed to Duke when the coach mentioned that a guy name Todd Billet was going to take his spot if he didn't commit. Todd Billet was ranked higher than Jay, but Jay was Coach K's first choice.

Evidence #4

"I was going to lose my sport here to Todd Billet. And it wasn't something I was losing at all-I was Coach K's first choice-but somehow it felt like a competition. ... 'Dad, I think we should commit'" (61).

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He landed ready to start his career. The first workout they did was a lot of running on track. Jays confindence went down since he didn't think he was going to do great in this level of basketball with all this screaming, drills and workouts. He eventually got used to it and had a great freshman season. Duke won the national and that was Jays goal.

Link #1

https://collegebasketballexperience.com/members/jay-williams/

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Jay Williams | College Basketball Experience

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Jay Williams is among the most decorated players to ever wear a Duke uniform. Williams' teams went 95-13 during his three years in Durham, including a national title run in 2001 where the Blue Devils won each of their six tournament games by double digits.

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Jay was projects 1st pick in the NBA draft. Jays parents were talking to different coach and asking what they can provide for Jay and the other people on the team that would help them. He was eventually got drafted to the Bulls with the 2nd pick in the NBA draft.

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Jays rookie season wasn't the best, but wasn't the worst. He played against very good players and had more losses in a month span of time than his whole career in duke.

Link #2

https://basketball.realgm.com/player/Jay-Williams/Summary/434

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2 Years Of Service

NBA Regular Season Stats - Per Game

NBA Regular Season Stats - Totals

NBA Regular Season Stats - Misc Stats

NBA Regular Season Stats - Advanced Stats
More Jay Williams NBA Stats "
NBA Transactions

Jun 26, 2002 - The Chicago Bulls selected Jay Williams in Round 1 with Pick 2 in the 2002 NBA Draft.

Jul 10, 2002 - Jay Williams signed a multi-year contract with the Chicago Bulls.

Feb 17, 2004 - The Chicago Bulls placed the contract of Jay Williams on waivers.

Sep 29, 2006 - Jay Williams signed a contract with the New Jersey Nets.

Oct 22, 2006 - The New Jersey Nets placed the contract of Jay Williams on waivers.

Oct 25, 2006 - Jay Williams, previously with the New Jersey Nets, became a free agent.

Nov 1, 2006 - Jay Williams retired from professional basketball.

More NBA Transactions "
NBA Awards & Honors

NBA All-Star Weekend Competitions

NBA Rising Stars Challenge Stats - Totals
More Jay Williams NBA All-Star Stats "
NBA Training Camp Experience

NCAA Season Stats - Per Game

NCAA Awards & Honors

Nationality: United States

FIBA Senior Team Events Stats

Prep/High School: St. Joseph High School [Metuchen, New Jersey]

High School Special Event Stats

Prep/High School Awards & Honors

What is the age of Jay Williams?

Jay Williams is 42 years old.

What is the height of Jay Williams?

Jay Williams is 6-2 (188cm) tall.

What is the weight of Jay Williams?

Jay Williams is 195 lbs (88kg).

What is the birthday of Jay Williams?

Jay Williams was born on Sep 10, 1981.

What position does Jay Williams play?

Jay Williams plays the PG position.

What was the pre-draft team of Jay Williams?

Jay Williams was drafted out of Duke.

What high school did Jay Williams attend?

Jay Williams attended St. Joseph High School in Metuchen, New Jersey.

What nationality is Jay Williams?

Jay Williams has a United States nationality.

Where was Jay Williams born?

Jay Williams was born in Plainfield, New Jersey.

How many NBA seasons has Jay Williams played?

Jay Williams played 1 season in the NBA.

What are the career averages of Jay Williams?

Jay Williams had career averages 9.5 points, 2.6 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 1.1 steals in 75 games.

What are the career totals of Jay Williams?

Jay Williams had career totals of 714 points, 195 rebounds, 350 assists, 17 blocks, 86 steals in 75 games.

How many teams has Jay Williams been on?

Jay Williams played their entire career for the .

When was Jay Williams drafted?

Jay Williams was drafted in the 1st round (#2 overall) of the 2002 NBA Draft by the Chicago Bulls.

What is Jay Williams' career high in points?

Jay Williams averaged a career high 9.5 points per game in 2002-2003.

What is Jay Williams' career high in rebounds?

Jay Williams averaged a career high 2.6 rebounds per game in 2002-2003.

What is Jay Williams' career high in assists?

Jay Williams averaged a career high 4.7 assists per game in 2002-2003.

What is the career PER of Jay Williams'?

Jay Williams had a career PER of 12.2.

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Jay Williams Player Profile, New Jersey Nets - RealGM

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Get the latest news, stats and more about Jay Williams on RealGM.com

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The flashback is over and now it's back to the healing process. He could barely move is his and he barely walk. One day he was feeling a pain he never felt before in his leg and he had to get another surgery. This surgery caused him to start over his process to walk again. During this rehab process, Jay had a lot of surgeries.

Link #3

https://www.futureofpersonalhealth.com/mental-health/jay-williams-shares-his-story-of-depression-and-addiction/

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In the 2002 NBA draft, the Chicago Bulls, with the second pick overall, chose Jay Williams. In 2003, almost 12 months to the day since the draft, he was in a horrific motorcycle accident that changed his life forever.

Recovering from devastation

At just 21 years old, Williams spent two-and-a-half months in the hospital recovering from his injuries. This included having every ligament torn from his dislocated knee, a dislocated and shattered pelvis, a torn femoral artery causing internal bleeding, and - probably the most excruciating of all his injuries - a torn peroneal nerve that would take two years to regenerate and heal.

During his recovery, Williams struggled with depression. He became addicted to oxycontin and oxycodone for four years. He attempted suicide twice.

Who's on your board?

A mentor, Charles Grantham, asked one day, "Who the hell is on Jay Williams' board [of directors]?" This question would propel Williams on a path to recovery and a path of hope.

Grantham's incisive analogy referred to a public company's board of directors, in which highly experienced people from different backgrounds assess what's best for the company and what direction the company should take. Williams realized he needed his own board of directors - a board of directors for himself. He went from asking, "Why me?" to "Why not me?" And that change in perspective was all he needed to set his life back on track.

"This is supposed to be my story," Williams says. "My legacy is supposed to be way more impactful and have way more substance than I ever would've had as a man with a lot of money." But that doesn't mean it's been easy. He continues, "It's been a struggle at times, but I've found out so much about the man I was, the man I am, the man I want to be. And I don't think I would have found that out if I hadn't been pushed in the direction I was."

Finding a purpose

Now, Williams treats mental health like his physical health. He has to work on both of them every day. "I try to wake up every day and find purpose. That purpose is my mother. That purpose is my girlfriend. That purpose is me. To be a better version of what I was yesterday. That makes me appreciative of the moments that I have."

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Jay Williams Shares His Story of Depression and Addiction

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In just one year, Jay Williams went from NBA star to struggling addict. Now he's sharing his story.

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Jay was very in love with Noelle and so he decided that he wanted to marry her even though he was still months in rehab. He went out to buy a ring and it costed a lot of money.

One morning, they had a picnic at Duke Gardens and when Noelle was unpacking the food Jay pulled out the ring asked if she would marry him and she said yes.

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After the marriage Jays Dad wasn't so happy because Jay was still in rehab. Because of this he flew back to New Jersey. Jays mom felt the same too. She was telling Jay about how bad Noelle was as a person saying that she wouldn't help with the dishes and she just sat there watching TV. After a year or Jays mom flew back to New Jersey with his dad. Jay felt guilty because of the things he put his parents through just to marry someone during his rehab process.

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Jay and Noelle were happily married until one day when Jay asked her to sign a prenuptial agreement before they tied the knot. Noelle was talking about her parents and didn't want to dishonor them by entering a marriage with a precursor for potential failure. She gave back the ring and went back to New Jersey. Jay wouldn't ship her stuff unless she came back and talked to him. Once she came back he put the ring back on her and he didn't care anymore about the prenup as long as they stay together. She agreed.

Evidence #5

"She gave me the ring back and left for New Jersey. I refused to ship her stuff to her unless she agreed to come back and talk. When she arrived, I put the ring back on her finger and told her I didn't care anymore about a prenup as long we stayed together. She agreed to stay and we were happy . . . again" (164).

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Jay is making great progress in recovery. Jay could shoot the ball and move around again. He can run one on ones, but it wouldn't be his best performance since he was still limping. He got interest from 2 teams. Miami and Houston. He got invited to the Houston court to do a 17 minute drill. It was really hard for Jay, but he still managed to do it.

Evidence #6

"When I finished the last spot and the buzzer sounded, I fell to the floor and did my best snow-angel impersonation. I couldn't move and struggled to catch my breath" (176).

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Jay was going to practices with many teams and he was traveling and workout out a lot. There was teams that said that he wasn't ready and some teams like him. It was when he went to visit the New Jersey Nets and Jay was playing really good. In the end he sign a nonhuarenteed contract with the New Jersey Nets. He will be forced to fight for a spot during trapping camp.

Evidence #7

"...but everything felt right about that day. THere wasn't any limping, I was turnover free, I exhibited great shot selections, and my court vision was excellent. ... A month later, I signed nonguaranteed contract with the New Jersey Nets" (182).

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Jay was playing in the preason with the New Jersey Nets after almost fully recovering. His team was playing against the Celtics and he got some shots down. In the end, it turned out to be his last game in an NBA uniform.

Evidence #8

"After that night, I had a few good moments--the night we played the Celtics I made a couple of shots down. ... I was only playing the fourth quarters of games. ... In what turned out to be my last game in an NBA uniform" (187).

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Jay was sent to the coaches office where he knew what was going to happen. Jay had never been cut before and this was would be the first time. After the talk with the coach, he was cut and his NBA career was officially over.

Link #4

https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=2635166

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EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Jay Williams' quest to return to
the NBA some three years after a horrible motorcycle accident was
put on hold Sunday when the New Jersey Nets waived the point guard
less than two weeks before the start of the season.

Jay Williams

"It's heartbreaking doing it regardless, and then to do it with
a guy like him," Nets coach Lawrence Frank said. "The one thing
to think about with him is, let's say he didn't get injured, anyone
who takes three, 3½ years off, he just needs an opportunity to
play.

"He's a first-class kid. He's someone we're obviously all
rooting for. It just comes down to a numbers game, but we felt it
was best at this time to let him go and evaluate some other
options. What a great kid."

A former national player of the year at Duke, Williams signed a
non-guaranteed contract with the Nets just before training camp.

Even then, he knew his chances of making the team were slim. The
Nets had 15 players with guaranteed contracts. They were deep at
the point guard with Jason Kidd and rookie Marcus Williams, one of
their two first-round draft picks.

Jay Williams averaged 3.8 points and 13.2 minutes in five
preseason games. He also stayed healthy during training camp when
other players were missing days here and there with injuries.

However, it was obvious that Williams has not found the
quickness that made him an exceptional player.

"I think he's an NBA player," Frank said. "Our situation here
right now is we have 15 guaranteed contracts. He just needs an
opportunity to keep on playing. You can't make up missing 3½ years
in a month in a half. He'll be in the NBA."

The No. 2 overall pick by the Chicago Bulls in the 2002 draft,
Williams averaged 9.5 points and 4.7 assists as a rookie.

His career appeared to end on June 19, 2003, when he crashed his
motorcycle into a light pole in Chicago, fracturing his pelvis,
tearing knee ligaments and suffering nerve damage in his left leg.
The damage was so severe, doctors thought they might have to
amputate his leg. He was hospitalized for 3½ months.

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Jay Williams' comeback from accident cut short by Nets

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Jay Williams, attempting to make the New Jersey Nets roster three years after recovering from a serious motorcycle accident, was cut by the team on Sunday.

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Jay got hurt again when he was playing basketball with his friend and he fell on someone foot and sprained his ankle. He was rushed to the nearest hospital and was then sent to the Duke Sport Medicine Center. He was really dissapointed because he was at the same place 2 years ago recovering from his accident and now he's back again.

Evidence #9

"As I landed, my right foot came down directly on someone's foot. ... We rushed to the nearest emergency room, which was New York-Presbyterian Hospital" (192).

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Jay got called called by his wife saying that she can't marry him. He was so sad he took shots and went driving. He was sober and eventually got pulled over. He was going 35, but he said he was going 65 max. He eventually got cuffed and went to the station and he was released later than next day. He flew to New Jersey to talk to Noelle and that cut ties. After all that Jay joined the D-League and was finding his way back until he pulled his hamstring and hurt his groin. He was waived. He was going to a lot of things and Coach Johnson was a person he looked up too. He was positive again all until Coach Johnson passed away from a heart attack.

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After knowing he will never make it back to the league. He tried broadcasting. He had to learn when to look at the camera or the other broadcaster and to think fast but talk slow. At first he didn't want to do broadcasting, but he wanted to stay close to the game somehow. He was on the broadcasting crew on CBS College Sports.

Link #5

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/from-basketball-broadcasting-how-jay-williams-became-superstar

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Everything changed in the blink of an eye.

In June 2003, the summer after his rookie season in the NBA, college basketball legend Jay Williams crashed his motorcycle into a utility pole, suffering multiple, serious injuries in the process.

He tore every ligament in one of his knees. An initial report from The New York Times questioned whether paralysis was a possibility. Doctors considered amputating one of his legs. Ten surgeries would ensue.

When he found his way back onto an NBA roster in the fall of 2006, he no longer had the physical prowess of the Duke University star who entered the league with so much promise four years prior. By the following winter, he was out of a job.

"I was not in a good place," Williams said, in an interview for LinkedIn's athlete-centric series, Next Play.

His stories of the depression, addiction and suicide attempts that followed have since become public knowledge. But so too has his rise to becoming a star at ESPN, where he's worked for over decade, becoming a staple of the network's NBA and college basketball coverage. Now, he has ambitions to go even further in his media career.

"Ownership within a network is the ultimate goal," he told LinkedIn

In this edition of #NextPlay, Jay Williams explains his challenging path from basketball to broadcasting, and how athletes should think about their second careers.
Check out the video above and share your thoughts in the comments below.

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From basketball to broadcasting: How Jay Williams became a superstar off the court

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Everything changed in the blink of an eye. In June 2003, the summer after his rookie season in the NBA, college basketball legend Jay Williams crashed his motorcycle into a utility pole, suffering multiple, serious injuries in the process.

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Jay talks about forgiving himself and that there are no accidents in life and everything is supposed to happen for a purpose. He thanks everyone who was been there for them especially his parents. His dad taught him a lot of things like that you have to forgive and accept the consequences.

Evidence #10

"'My life has always had a purpose' ... Because of all that I have been through, I never lose faith regardless of any challenge that lingers just around the corner' ... He has taught me how to be a good person, even if he was still figuring out how to be one himself" (248-250-251).