Jerry Williams (basketball)

Jerry Williams (born January 2, 1979) is an American former professional basketball player and current[when?] head basketball coach for the Newfoundland Rogues (Canada) and former head coach for the ABA Jacksonville Giants in Jacksonville, Florida (USA). He had a distinguished college and European career, and played in the American Basketball Association (ABA) for 2 seasons , from 2007-2008. He played for the ABA Jacksonville Jam. A 6'6" shooting guard/small forward from Cumberland College, he was selected to the 2007 ABA All-Star Game.

Jerry Williams
Newfoundland Rouges
PositionHead Coach
LeagueThe Basketball League
Personal information
Born (1979-01-02) January 2, 1979 (age 45)
Jacksonville, Florida
NationalityAmerican
Listed height6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Career information
CollegeCumberland College (2000-2001)
Playing career2002–2008
Coaching career2011–present
Career history
As player:
2002Florida Sea Dragons (USBL) Free Agents Camp
2002-2003Sheffield Sharks (ENG-BBL)
2003-2004Scottish Rocks (ENG-BBL)
2004-2005London Towers (ENG-BBL)
2005-2006JDA Dijon Bourgogne (FRA-ProA)
2006And1 Summer League in Jesolo (Venice) (Italy)
2006-2007Jacksonville Jam (ABA)
2008Jacksonville Jam (PBL)
As coach:
2011All-Star Giants (AAU 2011-2011) Head Coach
2010-2015Jacksonville Giants (American Basketball Association) Assistant Coach
2016-2021Jacksonville Giants (American Basketball Association) Head Coach
2021Newfoundland Rogues Head Coach
Career highlights and awards
  • All-NAIA 1st Team- 2001
  • British BBL Champion- 2003
  • British BBL Regular Season Champion- 2003
  • British BBL Cup Finalist- 2004
  • British BBL Player of the Year- 2004
  • ABA All-Star- 2007
  • 2012 ABA National Champions Jacksonville Giants Ring (assistant coach)
  • 2013 Cumberland College Hall of Fame Inductee
  • 2016 ABA National Champions Jacksonville Giants Ring (Associate Head Coach)
  • 2017 ABA National Champions Jacksonville Giants Ring (head coach)
  • 2018 ABA National Champions Jacksonville Giants Ring (head coach)
  • 2019 ABA National Champions Jacksonville Giants Ring (head coach)
  • 2021 ABA National Champions Jacksonville Giants Ring (head coach)
  • 3 Time National Coach of the Year ABA (head coach)

Williams is the only head coach in ABA history to win a 3-peat championship in his first 3 years as head coach. Williams also was able to 4 peat in 2021 after the season ending in 2020 due to Covid-19, where the Giants were 25 and 1 heading into the playoffs.

From 2002 to 2007, Williams played in the British Basketball League. He was named Player of the Year in 2004, after a season in which he averaged 23.3 points per game for the Scottish Rocks. Jerry's nickname is "Mouse."

He is the brother of NFL superstar Rashean Mathis of the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Hall of Fame edit

February 2013, Williams was inducted into his Cumberland College Hall of Fame.

References edit