Milwaukee Bucks forward Marvin Williams announced his retirement from the NBA after 15 seasons following the team’s Game 5 loss to the Miami Heat.
Bucks forward and 15-year NBA veteran Marvin Williams promptly announced his retirement from basketball following the team’s elimination on Tuesday night, bringing an end to a long career as a role player and stretch forward.
Marc Spears of ESPN reported the news, and Williams seems at peace with the decision after putting together a respectable NBA resume.
Selected second overall by the Atlanta Hawks in the 2005 NBA Draft, Williams never quite lived up to the lofty expectations that come with being a high draft pick, but eventually settled into his role, achieving a degree of longevity that is rare for most athletes.
Marvin Williams was a true threat from behind the arc as a stretch forward.
The former North Carolina Tar Heel never averaged more than 15 points in a season, but adapted to a shifting play style and, in many ways, was on the cutting edge as a stretch forward. At 6-foot-8, Williams came into his own as a 3-point shooter during his later years in Atlanta, before increasing his 3-point volume in Charlotte between 2014 and 2020.
While his Hornets teams often finished near the bottom of the East, Williams demonstrated an ability to knock down open shots along the perimeter and was therefore a good fit for the Milwaukee Bucks following his buyout in Charlotte.
However, Williams struggled to earn playing time late in his final season, averaging just four points per game after signing with Milwaukee. The veteran likely signed to take one last shot at a championship and with the Bucks eliminated, had no reason to delay his announcement.
While it is unclear what retirement holds for Williams, he deserves credit for an accomplished career and consistent play.