Jay Williams's adventures as an agent

When Love arrived at Mr. Chow, the famed Chinese restaurant in Beverly Hills, the waiting group included Jay Williams, former national player of the year at Duke and 2002 NBA lottery pick.

Williams was there on business, as the chief recruiter for Ceruzzi Sports and Entertainment, the very agency that staked Barrett with a quarter-million dollars.

"I was like, excuse my French, what the [expletive] is this all about?" Love said during a recent interview.

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Using the access Barrett offered, Grantham sent in his star recruiter, Williams, to court Love and other Pac-10 players. Williams was working for ESPN as a color commentator and had been hired as a salaried employee by Ceruzzi Sports. He envisioned it as an entry-level job with a future as a full-time sports agent. He was out of the NBA but at 26 still carried cache with young players.

"That’s what I was used for, the wow stick," Williams said.

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The Loves said Ceruzzi Sports never had a chance to sign Kevin, both because of their dealing with Barrett and their discomfort with Jay Williams.

"If I was going with an agent," said Kevin Love, "why would I ever go with a guy who, no offense, but he crashed a motorcycle into a tree. I’m not going to go with a guy that’s reckless."

Williams left Ceruzzi Sports after efforts to sign Love failed saying he grew disenchanted with an industry where agents thought they could "buy off" prospects. He was also troubled by the cutthroat battles for clients.

Williams said he was recruiting Gary Forbes out of the University of Massachusetts last season when he ran into another recruiter for an agent.

"‘Back the [expletive] away from my dude,’" Williams recalled being told. "‘This is my family. This is my money.’

"It’s a different level, man," Williams said. "The agents are the guys making a lot of money. Middle people get a [percentage point of a player’s contract] here, or cash there. That’s how you eat. I’ve seen grown men get jumped for ratting somebody out. I’ve seen it. That’s one reason I stepped away."

almost 3 years ago Big D 9 comments 1 recs |

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Is that what that article on yahoo was about?

“If I was going with an agent,” said Kevin Love, “why would I ever go with a guy who, no offense, but he crashed a motorcycle into a tree. I’m not going to go with a guy that’s reckless.”

Kevin Love makes a very good point.

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by Andrew7 on Mar 11, 2009 11:57 PM CDT reply actions

I can't believe John Paxson didn't find a way to get this guy.

BullsTwo

by Sports2 on Mar 12, 2009 8:20 AM CDT up reply actions

I predicted

that he would be a successful pro…a 17 & 10 kind of guy, and everyone made fun of me. Hmmmmm.

by Cannoli on Mar 12, 2009 12:39 PM CDT up reply actions

haha

Jason Williams will never change, I mean Jay Williams.

His peers don’t like him and then he throws his employeer under the bus “he grew disenchanted with an industry where agents thought they could "buy off” prospects"

Cocky sob. It’s not that they bought off prospects it’s that the prospects didn’t like you. That’s why you left Jay.

"I guess I can’t do anything if you’re just irrational, but to point it out and move on."

- fundamentallysound

by J Theory on Mar 12, 2009 8:01 AM CDT reply actions

The Dook basketball program teaches a course

“Cockiness Well Beyond Your Actual Talent”. The only Dookies in the NBA who seem to have skipped the class are Hill, Brand and Deng.

Maybe we can (but probably not)?

by Granny Waiters on Mar 12, 2009 10:00 AM CDT up reply actions

oh grant hill

i watch him play with the suns and i despair…..if not for his injuries he would be right up their with kobe bryant in terms of skill level….if i remember right the media chose him to be the first “chosen one” the next “his airness” he had the skills, the build, the personality….and yet….now as a shell of his former self, he still does some amazing things, and i cant help but wonder what if…what if….

On Behalf of Sue, Wjb, majoyenrac, Bullshooter and all the other Hinrich fans...Ill keep the Hinrich Hope coming...There will be light!

by piccolomair on Mar 12, 2009 10:32 AM CDT up reply actions