KEY POINTS

  • The Miami Heat eliminated the Milwaukee Bucks from the playoffs
  • NBA veteran Marvin Williams has announced his retirement from the league
  • Williams served several teams across the NBA throughout his 15-year stint

The veteran Marvin Williams has announced that he will retire from basketball after a 15-year career. The former number two overall pick served as a forward for multiple teams in his NBA stint.

Selected by the Atlanta Hawks in 2005, Williams was scouted to be one of the top players in the country at that time. The draft class included players such as Andrew Bogut, Deron Williams and Chris Paul.

During Williams’ lone college season, he led the North Carolina Tar Heels to a National Championship. Known as a versatile forward, Williams had the strength to take contact strong inside the paint and also stretch the floor with a respectable jump shot.

"I've been very blessed. God has been very, very good to me," Williams said by way of ESPN.

Fellow NBA veteran Andre Iguodala went on to congratulate Williams for the NBA career.

“Congrats to Marvin Williams! Great career pro... true pro! Your mind is free now! See you soon,” Iguodala tweeted.

Throughout Williams’ seven-season stay with the Hawks, he averaged 11.5 and 5.3 rebounds a game. It was also during his stay with the Atlanta that garnered him an NBA All-Rookie second-team selection. After this, he would serve as a crafty role player for the Utah Jazz and Charlotte Hornets where he led the team with his experience and leadership.

The last game Williams played was during the Milwaukee Bucks’ 103-94 season-ending loss against the Miami Heat. In 21 minutes, Williams was able to tally 11 points, eight rebounds on five of 10 shooting from the field. For the duration of his entire career, he averaged 10.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, shooting 44.3% from the field.

One of the more memorable moments Williams achieved as a professional was completing his education. Every summer, the NBA player would return to school to become the first one-and-done player to earn their college degree. It was a 10-year journey for Williams as he graduated from the African American Studies program at the University of North Carolina.

It will be interesting to see where Williams will take his basketball career after the NBA.

Marvin Williams
Nov 18, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets forward Marvin Williams (2) celebrates after scoring a basket during the second half of the game against the Brooklyn Nets at Time Warner Cable Arena. Hornets win 116-111. Reuters/Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports
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