Freeman Williams
Encyclopedia
Freeman Williams is a retired American
college
and professional basketball
player. He was the 1978 NCAA men's basketball Division I scoring champion, and the Portland State University
all-time scoring leader. Williams was the NCAA Division I national men's basketball individual scoring leader in 1977 and 1978. Williams was a consensus second team All-American in 1978. He is second in Division I history in scoring, trailing only Pete Maravich
. He was born in Los Angeles, California
.
He was a 1978 first round draft
pick (8th overall) by the Boston Celtics
. His pro playing career started in 1978 with the San Diego Clippers
. He finished in the top 10 for three point field goals in three consecutive seasons, 1980 through 1982. In December 1980, Freeman became the first Clippers player to win a Player of the Month award, and the only one in franchise history until Elton Brand
did so 25 years later.
In September 1982, Freeman Williams was traded by the Atlanta Hawks
along with John Drew
, and cash to the Utah Jazz
in exchange for Dominique Wilkins
who was drafted by the Jazz and refused to sign. After that season (1982-83
), Williams only played in 27 more games: 18 with Utah in 1983 and nine with the Washington Bullets
in 1986.
In 1987, Williams played in the Philippine Basketball Association
(PBA) for the Tanduay Rhum Masters
.
Freeman had a small part in the 1992 film
White Men Can't Jump
, playing fictional playground legend Duck Johnson.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
college
College basketball
College basketball most often refers to the USA basketball competitive governance structure established by the National Collegiate Athletic Association . Basketball in the NCAA is divided into three divisions: Division I, Division II and Division III....
and 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. He was the 1978 NCAA men's basketball Division I scoring champion, and the Portland State University
Portland State University
Portland State University is a public state urban university located in downtown Portland, Oregon, United States. Founded in 1946, it has the largest overall enrollment of any university in the state of Oregon, including undergraduate and graduate students. It is also the only public university in...
all-time scoring leader. Williams was the NCAA Division I national men's basketball individual scoring leader in 1977 and 1978. Williams was a consensus second team All-American in 1978. He is second in Division I history in scoring, trailing only Pete Maravich
Pete Maravich
Peter "Pistol Pete" Press Maravich was an American professional basketball player. Born and raised in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, Maravich starred in college at Louisiana State University and played for three NBA teams until injuries induced him to retire in 1980...
. He was born in Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
.
He was a 1978 first round draft
1978 NBA Draft
The 1978 NBA Draft was the 32nd annual draft of the National Basketball Association . The draft was held on June 9, 1978, before the 1978–79 season. In this draft, 22 NBA teams took turns selecting amateur U.S. college basketball players and other eligible players, including international players...
pick (8th overall) by the Boston Celtics
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...
. His pro playing career started in 1978 with the San Diego Clippers
Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers are a professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California, United States. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
. He finished in the top 10 for three point field goals in three consecutive seasons, 1980 through 1982. In December 1980, Freeman became the first Clippers player to win a Player of the Month award, and the only one in franchise history until Elton Brand
Elton Brand
Elton Tyron Brand is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association...
did so 25 years later.
In September 1982, Freeman Williams was traded by the Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks are an American professional basketball team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are part of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association .-The first years:...
along with John Drew
John Drew (basketball)
John Edward Drew is a retired American professional basketball player. A 6'6" guard/forward from Gardner-Webb University, he played 11 seasons in the NBA. Drew was a two-time NBA All-Star, and was one of the earliest casualties of the drug policy instituted by commissioner David Stern.- Amateur...
, and cash to the Utah Jazz
Utah Jazz
The Utah Jazz is a professional basketball team based in Salt Lake City, Utah. They are currently a part of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
in exchange for Dominique Wilkins
Dominique Wilkins
Jacques Dominique Wilkins is a retired American professional basketball player who primarily played for the Atlanta Hawks of the NBA...
who was drafted by the Jazz and refused to sign. After that season (1982-83
1982-83 NBA season
-Statistics leaders:-NBA awards:*Most Valuable Player: Moses Malone, Philadelphia 76ers*Rookie of the Year: Terry Cummings, San Diego Clippers*Defensive Player of the Year: Sidney Moncrief, Milwaukee Bucks...
), Williams only played in 27 more games: 18 with Utah in 1983 and nine with the Washington Bullets
Washington Wizards
The Washington Wizards are a professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C., previously known as Washington Bullets. They play in the National Basketball Association .-Early years:...
in 1986.
In 1987, Williams played in the Philippine Basketball Association
Philippine Basketball Association
The Philippine Basketball Association , is a men's professional basketball league in the Philippines composed of 10 company-branded franchised teams. It is the first and oldest professional basketball league in Asia and the second oldest in the world after the NBA...
(PBA) for the Tanduay Rhum Masters
Tanduay Rhum Masters
The Tanduay Rhum Masters is a former Manila Industrial and Commercial Athletic Association , Philippine Basketball Association and Philippine Basketball League basketball team.-History:...
.
Freeman had a small part in the 1992 film
1992 in film
The year 1992 in film involved many significant films. -Top grossing films:-Awards:Academy AwardsGolden Globe AwardsNational Film Awards...
White Men Can't Jump
White Men Can't Jump
White Men Can't Jump is a 1992 American sports comedy drama film starring Woody Harrelson and Wesley Snipes as streetball hustlers, co-starring Rosie Perez...
, playing fictional playground legend Duck Johnson.
Stats
| Season | Team | GP | MPG | RPG | APG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1978-79 | Clippers | 72 | 16.6 | 1.4 | 1.2 | 10.4 |
| 1979-80 | Clippers | 82 | 25.8 | 2.3 | 2.0 | 18.6 |
| 1980-81 | Clippers | 82 | 24.1 | 1.6 | 2.0 | 19.3 |
| 1981-82 | Clippers/Hawks | 60 | 16.6 | 1.0 | 1.4 | 12.0 |
| 1982-83 | Jazz | 18 | 11.7 | 0.9 | 0.6 | 5.1 |
| 1985-86 | Bullets | 9 | 12.2 | 1.3 | 0.8 | 7.7 |
| Career | 6 Seasons | 323 | 20.5 | 1.6 | 1.6 | 14.7 |