Ziaire Williams is an American professional basketball player who currently plays as a forward for the Brooklyn Nets in the NBA. Born on September 12, 2001, in Lancaster, California, he stands 6 feet 9 inches tall and weighs 185 pounds.
Early Life and Education
Williams began playing basketball at age five and was training under his father’s guidance by age eight. He attended Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, California, before transferring to Sierra Canyon High School in Chatsworth, California, where he continued to develop his skills on the court.
College Career
In his collegiate debut for Stanford on November 30, 2020, Williams scored 19 points and grabbed eight rebounds in an 82–64 win against Alabama. On January 7, 2021, he recorded 12 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists, marking the first triple-double by a Stanford player since 2007, in a 91–75 victory over Washington.
As a freshman, Williams averaged 10.7 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game, shooting 37.4 percent from the field. He declared for the 2021 NBA Draft on March 31, 2021, foregoing his remaining college eligibility.
Professional Career
Memphis Grizzlies (2021–2024): Williams was selected with the 10th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft by the New Orleans Pelicans and was subsequently traded to the Memphis Grizzlies. After missing 14 consecutive games due to an ankle injury and a stint in the NBA’s COVID-19 protocols, he made his first career start on January 6, 2022, recording 14 points and two steals in a win over the Detroit Pistons. He set a career-high with 21 points in a win against the New York Knicks on February 2, 2022.
Williams missed the first 24 games of the 2022–23 season with a right knee injury but returned on December 7, 2022, contributing four points, six rebounds, three assists, and two steals in a win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Brooklyn Nets (2024–Present): On July 19, 2024, Williams was traded to the Brooklyn Nets. Since returning from a knee injury in December 2024, he has averaged 12.1 points and 5.3 rebounds per game while shooting 40.1% from three-point range over a span of nine games.
Williams has embraced the role of the Nets’ top defender under head coach Jordi Fernandez, aiming to bring defensive versatility and create “havoc” on the court.
Career Statistics
As of the 2024–2025 season, Williams is averaging 9.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game, with a field goal percentage of 40.3% and a three-point shooting percentage of 32.8%.