Chicago Tribune 8/24/06

Nets Invite Jay Williams to Camp

By DAVID PORTER
Associated Press Writer
Published August 24, 2006, 3:12 PM CDT

NEWARK, N.J. -- Jay Williams' bid to resurrect his NBA career after a serious motorcycle crash three years ago has brought him to New Jersey, where he worked out for Nets officials and has been invited to training camp.

Kevin Bradbury, who represents Williams, said the Nets invited the former Duke star and No. 2 draft pick to training camp in October. Williams hasn't played in the NBA since his 2002-2003 rookie season when he averaged 9.5 points for the Chicago Bulls.

Nets general manager Ed Stefanski said Thursday that Williams had given "strong indications" that he was interested in accepting the invitation.

Williams crashed his motorcycle into a light pole in June 2003, fracturing his pelvis and tearing knee ligaments. He was hospitalized for 3 1/2 months and had nerve damage in his left leg. The Bulls bought out his contract for about $3 million.

Williams is considering the offer and no contract has been signed yet, Bradbury said. The Nets are expected to have a full roster of 15 players under contract, which means Williams would not receive any guaranteed money.

"That allows us to get a look at him, plus the whole league gets a look at him," Stefanski said. "I haven't met a much nicer kid than Jay. He has unbelievable desire. If anybody has the drive to make it back into the league, he does."

Bradbury said Williams has held workouts for several teams over the last two months, including Phoenix, Seattle, Philadelphia and the Los Angeles Lakers. He also participated in Steve Nash's annual charity game in Vancouver last month.

"He used to be one of the explosive guys you'd ever seen, and he's not that type of player any more," Bradbury said. "He's not going to rise up on you like he used to. But he still has good foot speed and lateral movement, and he can still get by a guy in either direction.

"He's working really hard on extending the range of his jump shot because he knows he has to have those things to compete at this level again."

Williams, from Plainfield, N.J., led Duke to the national title as a sophomore. He was a two-time All-American and the 2002 AP college player of the year.

my favorite part was where williams' agent says, "He used to be one of the explosive guys you'd ever seen..."

i don't recall ever seeing him blow by defenders on the dribble.