Robert Williams III

For other people with similar names, see Robert Williams.

Robert Williams III

Williams with the Boston Celtics in 2021
No. 35–Portland Trail Blazers
Position	Center / power forward
League	NBA
Personal information
Born	(1997-10-17) October 17, 1997 (age 27) Shreveport, Louisiana, U.S.
Listed height	6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
Listed weight	249 lb (113 kg)
Career information
High school	North Caddo (Vivian, Louisiana)
College	Texas A&M (2016–2018)
NBA draft	2018: 1st round, 27th overall pick
Selected by the Boston Celtics
Playing career	2018–present
Career history
2018–2023	Boston Celtics
2018–2019	→Maine Red Claws
2023–present	Portland Trail Blazers
Career highlights and awards
NBA All-Defensive Second Team (2022) 2× SEC Defensive Player of the Year (2017, 2018) Second-team All-SEC (2017) SEC All-Freshman Team (2017) 2× SEC All-Defensive Team (2017, 2018)
Stats at NBA.com
Stats at Basketball Reference

Robert Lee Williams III (born October 17, 1997) is an American professional basketball player for the Portland Trail Blazers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Texas A&M Aggies.

Williams was drafted 27th overall in the 2018 NBA draft by the Boston Celtics. He had a breakout season in 2021–22, which saw him being named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team and reaching the NBA Finals as the Celtics' starting center.

High school career

Williams attended North Caddo High School in Vivian, Louisiana. ^[1] A consensus four-star recruit, he ranked 50th overall in ESPN’s Top 100 for the class of 2016 ^[2] and was the number one prospect in the state of Louisiana. ^[3] He committed to Texas A&M University to play college basketball. ^{[4] [5]}

College career

In his first college game, he scored five points and had five blocks and seven rebounds. ^{[6] [7]} He was named SEC Defensive Player of the Year and earned Second-Team All-SEC honors ^[8] after averaging 11.9 points and a team-high 8.2 rebounds per game as a freshman in 2016–17.

On March 21, despite being credited as a potential first round lottery player, Williams decided to forgo the 2017 NBA draft and stay for another season at Texas A&M. ^[9]

Following Texas A&M's loss in the 2018 NCAA men's basketball tournament, Williams announced his intention to forgo his final two seasons of collegiate eligibility and declare for the 2018 NBA draft, where he was expected to be a first round selection. ^[10] Williams was viewed as a potential lottery pick for the 2017 NBA draft and 2018 NBA draft.

Professional career

Boston Celtics (2018–2023)

Come the 2018 NBA draft, instead of being a lottery pick, Williams fell to the 27th overall pick where he was selected by the Boston Celtics due to concerns about his work ethic. On July 5, 2018, the Boston Celtics signed Williams. ^[11] Williams did not initially make a good impression, being criticized for showing up late and missing team functions. ^[12] His reputation for missing flights and video meetings caused him to earn the moniker "Time Lord" on online Boston Celtics fandoms. ^{[13] [14]}

Williams made his professional debut on October 23, 2018, playing four minutes during the Celtics' loss to Orlando Magic, before being assigned to the Maine Red Claws on November 2. Throughout November and December, Williams split his time between the G League and the NBA, before starting to gain more game time with the Celtics following an injury to Al Horford. On December 11, 2018, Williams blocked two shots by NBA All Star Anthony Davis during a game against the New Orleans Pelicans. ^[15] During the 2021 NBA playoffs, Williams dealt with a turf toe injury. In Game 1 of the first round against the Brooklyn Nets, Williams blocked 9 shots to set a team playoff record for blocks in a game. He also scored 11 points and grabbed 9 rebounds. ^[16] Despite this record, the team lost the game. The injury hobbled Williams for the remainder of the series and Williams left Game 3 with a sprained ankle after playing just 6 minutes. ^[17] He missed games 4 and 5, and the team lost the series 4–1.

On December 31, 2021, Williams recorded his first career triple-double, putting up 10 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists, in a 123–108 win over the Phoenix Suns. ^[18] On March 28, 2022, the Celtics announced that Williams had suffered a torn meniscus in his left knee and would be out indefinitely. ^[19] Two days later, he underwent surgery and was ruled out for at least four-to-six weeks. ^[20]

Portland Trail Blazers (2023–present)

On October 1, 2023, Williams, along with Malcolm Brogdon and two future first-round draft picks, was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for Jrue Holiday. ^[21] On October 25, Williams made his Trail Blazers debut, putting up 10 points and seven rebounds off the bench in a 123–111 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. ^[22] But his season was cut short, suffering a patellar dislocation after colliding with Jaren Jackson Jr. on the Blazers' November 5 game against Memphis. Having successful right knee surgery a few days later, the injury ended his season after six games. ^[23]

On September 30, 2024, Williams was cleared for training camp after coming off knee surgery. ^[24]

On November 8, 2024, Williams made his return from injury putting up 13 points, three rebounds and two assists off the bench in a 127–102 loss against the Minnesota Timberwolves. This game marked the first time he ever scored a three-pointer in his NBA career. ^[25]

On November 25, 2024, Williams made his first start of the season as well as his first start as a member of the Portland Trail Blazers where he recorded 6 points, one assist, and three rebounds in 12 minutes of action in a 123-98 loss against the Memphis Grizzlies, however during the 6:22 mark in second quarter, Williams dove hard for a loose ball and was whistled for a foul on Grizzlies guard Scotty Pippen Jr. and hit his head on the floor and took extra time trying to get up, but ended up remaining in the game until the 5:51 mark of the second quarter, but re-entered the game at the 2:31 mark and ended up playing for the remainder of the first half and then didn’t play in the second half and was later evaluated for a concussion. ^[26]

Career statistics

Legend

GP	Games played	GS	Games started	MPG	Minutes per game
FG%	Field goal percentage	3P%	3-point field goal percentage	FT%	Free throw percentage
RPG	Rebounds per game	APG	Assists per game	SPG	Steals per game
BPG	Blocks per game	PPG	Points per game	Bold	Career high

NBA

Regular season

Year	Team	GP	GS	MPG	FG%	3P%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
2018–19	Boston	32	2	8.8	.706	—	.600	2.5	.2	.3	1.3	2.5
2019–20	Boston	29	1	13.4	.727	—	.647	4.4	.9	.8	1.2	5.2
2020–21	Boston	52	13	18.9	.721	.000	.616	6.9	1.8	.8	1.8	8.0
2021–22	Boston	61	61	29.6	.736	.000	.722	9.6	2.0	.9	2.2	10.0
2022–23	Boston	35	20	23.5	.747	.000	.610	8.3	1.4	.6	1.4	8.0
2023–24	Portland	6	0	19.8	.654	—	.778	6.3	.8	1.2	1.2	6.8
Career		215	97	20.5	.729	.000	.660	6.9	1.4	.7	1.7	7.3

Play-in

Year	Team	GP	GS	MPG	FG%	3P%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
2021	Boston	1	1	14.2	1.000	–	1.000	4.0	1.0	1.0	1.0	4.0
Career		1	1	14.2	1.000	–	1.000	4.0	1.0	1.0	1.0	4.0

Playoffs

Year	Team	GP	GS	MPG	FG%	3P%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
2019	Boston	3	0	4.3	.500	—	1.000	2.3	.0	.0	.0	1.3
2020	Boston	13	0	11.5	.742	.000	.333	3.9	.8	.2	.5	3.7
2021	Boston	3	0	15.3	.643	—	.500	5.0	.7	.3	3.0	6.3
2022	Boston	17	15	23.2	.679	.000	.893	6.2	1.0	.7	2.2	7.7
2023	Boston	20	4	20.9	.788	.000	.679	6.0	1.0	.5	1.3	7.7
Career		56	19	18.2	.729	.000	.742	5.3	.9	.4	1.4	6.3

College

Year	Team	GP	GS	MPG	FG%	3P%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
2016–17	Texas A&M	31	17	25.8	.558	.111	.590	8.2	1.4	.7	2.5	11.9
2017–18	Texas A&M	30	23	25.6	.668	.000	.471	9.2	1.4	.8	2.6	10.4
Career		61	40	25.7	.624	.067	.541	8.7	1.4	.7	2.5	11.1

Personal life

In July 2018, Williams was revealed to have popliteal artery entrapment syndrome (PAES) in both legs. If it degenerates, the vascular disease could require a surgical procedure in the future. ^[27] Williams has two children, a daughter and son. ^[28]

Nickname

Early in his career, Williams has attracted the nickname "Time Lord" from Celtics fans, in part based upon his timekeeping faux pas upon signing with the team. ^{[29] [30] [31]} This has, in turn, gained attention from Timex. Danny Ainge has been recorded as preferring the nickname "Lob". ^[29]

References

1. "LeBron gives Robert Williams a passing lesson?". Archived from the original on July 23, 2019. Retrieved January 8, 2017.
2. "Robert Williams - Basketball Recruiting - Player Profiles - ESPN". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
3. "Texas A&M Signs Louisiana Standout Robert Williams". Texas A&M University Athletics Department. Archived from the original on July 23, 2019. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
4. "North Caddo 2016 forward Robert Williams commits to Texas A&M". June 21, 2015. Archived from the original on June 21, 2018. Retrieved January 8, 2017.
5. "Texas A&M's Robert Williams humble amid whirlwind rise". December 17, 2016. Archived from the original on April 23, 2020. Retrieved January 8, 2017.
6. "Texas A&M freshman Robert Williams' stock is soaring after strong start". November 26, 2016. Archived from the original on November 8, 2020. Retrieved January 15, 2017.
7. "Texas A&M's Robert Williams has NBA scouts' hearts as darkhorse one-and-done". Archived from the original on December 6, 2017. Retrieved January 8, 2017.
8. "Robert Williams is SEC Defensive Player of the Year". shreveporttimes.com. March 7, 2024. Archived from the original on August 9, 2020. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
9. Nathan, Alec. "Robert Williams Announces Return to Texas A&M, Will Forgo 2017 NBA Draft". Bleacher Report. Archived from the original on July 23, 2019. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
10. "Former North Caddo star Robert Williams turning pro". Archived from the original on July 23, 2019. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
11. "Celtics Sign Robert Williams". NBA.com. July 5, 2018. Archived from the original on November 9, 2020. Retrieved July 5, 2018.
12. "Celtics Rookie Robert Williams' Draft Day Fall Suddenly Makes Perfect Sense". The Big Lead. July 10, 2018. Archived from the original on July 23, 2019. Retrieved July 12, 2018.
13. Leger, Justin (April 15, 2023) [April 26, 2022]. "Here's how Robert Williams earned 'Time Lord' nickname". NBC Sports Boston . Retrieved June 6, 2024.
14. "Where did Robert Williams's nickname come from?". Boston.com. December 14, 2018. Archived from the original on May 23, 2021. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
15. "Sources: Robert Williams impresses in coming out party with the Celtics". boston.com. Archived from the original on December 17, 2018. Retrieved December 15, 2018.
16. Leger, Justin (May 23, 2021). "Time Lord sets C's playoff record in Game 1 vs. Nets". NBC Sports Boston. Archived from the original on June 27, 2021. Retrieved June 27, 2021.
17. Vatour, Matt (May 29, 2021). "Rob Williams injury: Boston Celtics big man sprains ankle, won't return". masslive. Archived from the original on June 27, 2021. Retrieved June 27, 2021.
18. DiGiovanni, Sam (December 31, 2021). "The reason Robert Williams surprised Ime Udoka in Celtics' win over Suns". ClutchPoints. Archived from the original on December 31, 2021. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
19. "Celtics' Robert Williams III suffers torn meniscus in left knee, out indefinitely". CBS Sports. Retrieved March 28, 2022.
20. "Boston Celtics center Robert Williams III expected to miss 4-6 weeks after surgery to repair meniscus". ESPN. March 30, 2022. Retrieved March 30, 2022.
21. "Trail Blazers Acquire Malcolm Brogdon and Robert Williams III". NBA.com. October 1, 2023. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
22. "Veterans guide Clippers to opening win over Blazers". Reuters. Field Level Media. October 26, 2023. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
23. "Robert Williams III Undergoes Right Knee Surgery". NBA.com. November 13, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
24. "Trail Blazers' Robert Williams: Cleared for training camp". CBSSports.com. September 30, 2024. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
25. Holdahl, Casey (November 9, 2024). "Sharpe, Williams Return To The Court As The Blazers Return Home From A Four-Game Trip". NBA.com. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
26. Bergin, Conor (November 25, 2024). "Grant, Williams Exit Early vs. Grizzlies with Injuries". Blazer's Edge. Retrieved January 19, 2025.
27. Katz, Fred (July 10, 2018). "Sources: Boston Celtics rookie Robert Williams has artery condition in his legs". masslive.com. Archived from the original on July 12, 2018. Retrieved July 12, 2018.
28. "Celtics' Robert Williams Announces Birth Of Child After Missing Game". nesn.com. January 17, 2022. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
29. DeCosta-Klipa, Nik (December 14, 2018). "Where did Robert Williams's nickname come from?". boston.com. Archived from the original on December 15, 2018. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
30. Aston, Ryan (August 20, 2021). "Celtics Sign 'Time Lord' to Multiyear Extension: Report". Archived from the original on February 18, 2022. Retrieved February 18, 2022.
31. "'Time Lord' Nickname May Lead to a Watch Sponsorship for Robert Williams". boston.cbslocal.com. September 1, 2020. Archived from the original on February 18, 2022. Retrieved February 18, 2022.

External links

• Career statistics from NBA.com  and  Basketball Reference  
• Texas A&M Aggies bio