Former Utah Jazz Guard Mo Williams Named Alabama State Men’s Basketball Head Coach
May 12, 2020, 3:37 PM | Updated: 3:46 pm
Mo Williams #5 of the Utah Jazz watches as the Boston Celtics shoot free throws during the game on November 14, 2012 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Alabama State named former Utah Jazz guard Maurice “Mo” Williams as the school’s newest men’s basketball head coach.
Williams was officially announced as the Hornets’ head coach on Tuesday, May 12.
“It’s a great day to be a Hornet,” the former Jazzman said after being announced as a head coach for the first time. “I am extremely excited to become part of the family, and I am looking forward to the challenge. Go Hornets!”
Williams takes over a program that finished the 2019-20 season with an 8-24 record.
It’s a great day to be a Hornet. Go Hornets!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/HhQSo8VpOh
— Mo Williams (@mowilliams) May 12, 2020
Prior to his NBA career, Williams grew up in Jackson, Mississippi. He played college basketball for the University of Alabama from 2001-2003.
After his time with the Crimson Tide, the 6′ 1″ basketball player was selected by the Utah Jazz with the 47th overall pick during the second round of the 2003 NBA Draft.
Mo Williams’ NBA Career
Williams played his rookie season with the Jazz. During his first NBA season, he averaged 5.0 points, 1.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 0.5 steals in 13.5 minutes per game.
The Jazz finished his first season with a 42-40 record and missed the playoffs for the first time since the 1982-83 season.
Williams entered the 2004 offseason as a restricted free agent and signed an offer sheet with the Milwaukee Bucks. The Jazz didn’t match the offer sheet and Williams became a member of the Eastern Conference team.
The 𝘽𝙐𝙕𝙕 on the new head coach of the Hornets, @mowilliams! 💯#STATEofMind pic.twitter.com/rItBgwWqEM
— Alabama State MBB (@BamaStateMBB) May 12, 2020
The guard played for the Bucks until 2008 when he was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers. In 2009, Williams was honored as an NBA All-Star for the first and only time of his professional career.
During the 2010-11 season, Williams was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers. He played in L.A. until the 2012 offseason when he traded to the Jazz as part of a four-team deal where Utah exchanged a trade exception.
As a 30-year old guard, Williams played in 46 games for the Jazz during his return season in 2012-13. He averaged 12.9 points, 2.4 rebounds, 6.2 assists, and 1.0 steals in 30.8 minutes per contest.
The Jazz ended the season with a 43-39 record and missed the postseason for the second time in three seasons.
Williams went on to play for the Portland Trail Blazers, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Charlotte Hornets before returning to finish his career with the Cavaliers. He last played for Cleveland in 2017.
In May 2018, the former Jazzman was named as an assistant coach for the Cal State Northridge Matadors men’s basketball team.
Alabama State plans to hold a virtual press conference during the week of May 17 to introduce Williams as the Hornets’ head coach.
