Williamson ends ‘12 fun-filled years’
Posted on Thursday, September 27, 2007
Corliss Williamson closed one chapter in his life and opened another Wednesday.
Williamson, who led Arkansas to the 1994 NCAA championship, announced his retirement from the NBA after playing 12 seasons with the Sacramento Kings, Toronto Raptors, Detroit Pistons and Philadelphia 76 ers. Moments later he announced he would become an assistant basketball coach at Arkansas Baptist College.
Williamson seemed to stall a bit as he made the announcement before dozens of family members and friends at the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame Museum in North Little Rock.
“The past week, two weeks, I’ve been having butterflies in my stomach about this day,” Williamson said. “To tell you the truth, right now, my heart’s filled with a lot of joy as I look out here at this audience and see my family and my friends and former coaches and fans and people who supported me throughout my career.
“ I guess I have to finally say it out of my mouth and make it official. I want to stand here before you all and let you know that I’ve enjoyed my career. … After a lot of thought and a lot, lot, lot of prayer — you know, God has shown me the way and put me at peace in my heart with making this decision — I’m hear to say I am retiring from basketball and the NBA.” Williamson said he looked into other possibilities to play this season but decided the time was right to end his playing career.
“It means a lot,” Williamson said. “The opportunity to step away from the game of basketball and the NBA on my own terms, and to finish with the team I started with, it definitely makes me feel wonderful. I’m also getting the opportunity to start a new dream to become a head coach one day.” Before Williamson’s retirement announcement a video highlighting his Arkansas career was shown.
“I wish my legs felt like they did then. I probably wouldn’t be here today,” he said, drawing a laugh.
Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame Executive Director Ray Tucker said Williamson is “a shoo-in” for induction, possibly in 2008 but likely in 2009.
Williamson averaged 28 points and 9 rebounds as a senior at Russellville High School in 1992 and was named a McDonald’s All-American. His No. 34 is retired and on display at Cyclone Gymnasium. He was named the most outstanding player of the NCAA Tournament as a sophomore at Arkansas in 1994, when the Razorbacks won the national championship with a 76-72 victory over Duke. During his junior season, Arkansas advanced to the national championship game before losing 89-78 to UCLA. He ranks first all time at Arkansas with an average of 19 points per game. He also holds the school record with 291 points during NCAA Tournament play.
Williamson turned professional after his junior season and was selected by the Kings with the 13 th overall pick in the 1995 NBA Draft. He played five seasons with the Kings before being traded to the Pistons in 2000. He was briefly traded to the Raptors before returning to the Pistons, where he won an NBA championship in 2004. He also won the NBA’s Sixth Man Award in the 2001-2002 season.
“I’ve had 12 fun-filled years playing in the NBA,” Williamson said. “I’ve been truly blessed to have lived my dream.” Williamson played in 822 NBA games, averaging 11. 1 points. He averaged 9. 1 points last season before missing the final 14 games with a heel injury. He was a free agent entering the 2007-2008 season.
“I’ve been contemplating this the past two years,” Williamson said. “Each year it’s been getting harder and harder for me. This summer I had a great time with my family and my children and just being home in Arkansas.” In 2006, Williamson donated $ 1 million through the Corliss Williamson Youth Foundation to help with the construction of the L. V. Williamson Boys and Girls Club in Russellville. Last season he participated in the Maloof Sports and Entertainment Season of Giving by donating a “holiday in a box” to more than 200 families in the Sacramento area. He won the Kings ’ Oscar Robertson Triple-Double Award in two of the past three seasons. That award goes to the Kings player who best exemplifies on-the-court accomplishments, off-the-court leadership and community involvement.
Williamson said he talked to Arkansas Baptist Coach Charles Ripley last year about his interest in coaching after retirement. Ripley believes Williamson will be a good fit.
“This just lifts us up to another level,” Ripley said. “When you’ve played in the NBA it gets your attention. He’s got [the players’ ] attention.” Williamson, who won’t receive a salary, said he is looking forward to the start of practice.
Arkansas Baptist begins its season Nov. 2 at the Three Rivers Classic in Poplar Bluff, Mo. The Buffaloes’ first home game is Nov. 8 against Mississippi Valley Delta.
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