A lot of good point guards came through the NBA. It’s key to have a point guard on your team who knows the game well and can control the tempo of the game. The point guard is usually the player with the ball in his hands the most. You want to be able to trust in your point guard as a head coach.

For those who grew up watching former NBA point guard Deron Williams, you know that he fits in all of those categories. Williams was a true point guard. He can handle the ball, score, pass, and he could defend. He was the point guard that you wanted on your team, and he had success in the league.

A standout career at Illinois

Williams played his college basketball at the University of Illinois. During his junior year, he had a breakout season for the Illini. He helped lead his team to the NCAA championship game in 2005. They would end up losing to North Carolina. That season Illinois went undefeated up until the championship game.

He was named a consensus Second Team All American and was named the University of Illinois Athlete of the Year. Williams was also a finalist for the Wooden Award, the best player in college basketball. After a successful junior season at Illinois, Williams decided to enter the NBA draft.

His career in the league

Williams was the No. 3 pick of the 2005 NBA draft. The Utah Jazz selected the point guard. In his first year with the Jazz, he averaged 10.8 points and 4.5 assists in 80 games played. He was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team. Williams started to establish himself as a premier point guard in the league.

Williams spent six seasons with the Jazz and played on some successful teams making four trips to the playoffs. He was named to the All-NBA Second Team twice with the Jazz and also made the All-Star team twice as a member of the Jazz.

After his tenure with the Jazz, he moved out east and joined the New Jersey/Brooklyn Nets. He would spend five seasons with the Nets and then finished his career with the Dallas Mavericks and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Williams finished his career playing in 845 games averaging 16.3 points, 8.1 assists, and 3.1 rebounds.

Looking back at his career

The three-time NBA All-Star was one of the most physical point guards during his time in the league. He was the type of point guard that would post you up on the block using his size. He would not back down from any challenge and go right at you.

Williams also made some clutch shots during his career. He had the opportunity to play with Team USA in 2008 and 2012 and win two gold medals. This was a player who teammates loved playing for, and opponents loved to play against. They knew he was a leader and would do whatever it took to put his team in the best position to win games.