Ziaire Williams, the Brooklyn Nets’ newly acquired wing, has shown glimpses of his potential as he navigates his early years in the NBA. Standing at 6-foot-9, Williams’ combination of length, versatility, and athleticism positions him as a prospective piece that could become key for the Nets’ rebuilding efforts.
Williams began his career with the Memphis Grizzlies, where he appeared in 150 games through three seasons averaging 7.5 points and 2.6 rebounds. His best season was his rookie campaign, when Williams averaged 8.1 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 62 games in 2021-22.
In a chat with HoopsHype, on behalf of Herbalife, Williams opened up about his NBA journey, sharing how he’s focused on leveling up his game and looking forward to a fresh start in Brooklyn.
What are you doing out there with Herbalife and these basketball camps?
Ziaire Williams: Yeah, man, it’s a great opportunity for me to come back home and show the residents of Lancaster, California, and the rest of Antelope Valley a fun place to have some fun and play basketball. You know, Lancaster doesn’t have a lot of things to do out here. We’re in the middle of nowhere, straight desert. So it’s trying to, you know, just give them a safe place to meet new people and just have some fun, man. Just have some fun.
To be able to give back, how’s that experience?
ZW: Yeah, no, man, it’s one of the coolest feelings in the world. I get goosebumps just watching everybody mess around and smile with my name on their T-shirts. I got old coaches here, old teachers, and just all my Lancaster family community supporting. So it really does take a village, and it’s just surreal to see it all come full circle.
How did it feel to get traded? Were you caught off guard?
Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
Ziaire Williams: It didn’t catch me off guard. The GM [Zach Kleiman] was kind of letting me know a little bit, just so I wouldn’t be completely shocked. But when it happens, it’s always like, “Damn, it’s real now.” Like I said, man, I’m happy for the opportunity, and I’m grateful for what I experienced in Memphis, and I’m just looking forward to this next chapter in my life.
Why do you think you had more success your rookie year than the previous two seasons?
Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
ZW: Yeah, really just staying healthy. Staying on the court. When you’re on the court, you get rhythm, you’re feeling good, and things are a lot easier. So that’s why I say I’m just really trying to work on my body and make sure that I’m available. Availability is the best ability, so as long as I got that, everything else will take care of itself.
How does it feel to be on the Brooklyn Nets?
ZW: I’m excited. You know, it’s definitely gonna be a little different, but it’s a great opportunity for me to keep driving and showcase my skills. We got a great coach in Jordi Fernandez and coaching staff, so I’m just looking forward to going out there and hooping.
Thoughts on new head coach Jordi Fernandez?
ZW: It’s definitely gonna be different, but he’s super chill, man. Very low-key, very relaxed, super welcoming. He’s been great, man. We’ve had some great conversations. He’s gonna keep it real with you. He’s not gonna sugarcoat anything. His biggest thing is he wants everybody to be together and have fun. That’s his biggest principle. He’s always asking us to do team bonding events off the court, go to dinner, or whatever, but as long as we’re doing stuff together, it’s gonna translate on the court.
What has this offseason adjusting to Brooklyn been like?
Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
ZW: It’s been crazy, man. I can’t lie. There’s been a lot, but I got a great supporting cast with me – my mom, my dad, and a bunch of others on my team that are making it a lot easier. Finding new places, meeting new people, learning new plays – everything is super new. It almost feels like I’m a rookie again. To be honest with you, I love it, man. I love this opportunity, and I think it’s really a blessing in disguise for me.
What part of your game have you focused on improving this summer?
ZW: Definitely, first and foremost, my body. They say availability is the best ability. I had a nasty little back injury last year, so I’ve been really just every day in the weight room, treatment, just really trying to prioritize my body. And then on the court, just doing all the simple things, man – fine-tuning my shot, reading off closeouts, trying to be great at two or three things rather than trying to be good at a bunch of different things. We, me and the rest of my team, came up with a great plan this summer, and I’ve definitely gotten a lot better. I can’t wait to go out on the main stage and showcase the work I’ve put in the dark.
How challenging was it to recover from the back issue and hip flexor strain in February, and did it take long to feel normal again?
ZW: I was on bed rest for like two weeks. My teammates were really like getting me food, and I was stuck on a couch like, “Help me get up!” It was crazy. But no, I’m so much better than I was three, four, five months ago. I would say the injury is definitely not as bad as it seemed. When I first got hurt, I thought I was going to need surgery and all types of crazy stuff, but all I needed to do was rest and do some PT. So I’m definitely thankful for that, for sure.
Was it frustrating to hit your stride this season only to face an injury, and did it create a mental hurdle for you?
Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
ZW: Yeah, a little bit, but you know there’s nothing I could do, so it’s no point in stressing over the uncontrollables, right? Everything in life happens for a reason, and for whatever reason, I’m a man of God, and I feel like maybe He wanted me to work on my body more or look at the game from a different perspective. So I always just try to get the positive out of the situation, learn, grow, and build. That’s how I’ve gotten to where I am today.
What is your role/best skills that you bring to a team?
ZW: Definitely versatility on the defensive end, starting off switching one through four, guarding guards, guarding forwards. On the offensive end, pushing the pace, being a lob threat, shooting threes, cutting. I feel I could be really like a Swiss army knife, just being used in different areas. And for me personally, I just love to be on the court, man. The coach could put me in any position, and as long as I’m on the court and helping my team in a positive way, I’m a happy man.
In 10-15 years, whenever your basketball career ends, what do you want to be known for?
ZW: Oh, man, just a guy who always prided himself on winning, on playing team culture ball. A guy who sacrificed his life for the team, and just a good man who always put his team first and made a couple of baskets every now and then.
What’s been your favorite highlight moment so far?
ZW: Definitely my rookie year when we made it to the second round [of the NBA playoffs]. That was super cool, man. I love to win, so that’s the farthest I’ve gotten. That was the most fun I had.
Who is your GOAT?
Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images
ZW: My opinion, LeBron James, but I was in the LeBron era, so I know people might say Michael Jordan. I definitely respect the guy, just wasn’t alive to see it.
What is your all-time top five?
ZW: LeBron, Kobe, Jordan, Steph, and Shaq.
Currently, who do you think are the five best players in the league
ZW: You mean by position, or what?
Anything, man, the five guys that you think are like that. I mean, you play in the league, so like guys that you say, “Those guys are just unstoppable.”
ZW: I’ll say Ja, Luka, Giannis, KD, and probably Jokic.
Is Ja Morant a completely different person behind the doors?
Harry How/Getty Images
ZW: He flew all the way from Memphis just to come to my camp.
Do you think he’s just somebody that the media has disparaged, made him seem more villainous than he is?
ZW: Yeah, I mean, in the NBA, it’s all just recency bias.
Yeah.
ZW: He was just hurt. He didn’t play last year, but they’ll remember real quick.
And they’ll remember about you real quick, I bet.
ZW: Facts.
Ziaire Williams, the Brooklyn Nets’ newly acquired wing, has shown glimpses of his potential as he navigates his early years in the NBA. Standing at 6-foot-9, Williams’ combination of length, versatility, and athleticism positions him as a prospective piece that could become key for the Nets’ rebuilding efforts.
Williams began his career with the Memphis Grizzlies, where he appeared in 150 games through three seasons averaging 7.5 points and 2.6 rebounds. His best season was his rookie campaign, when Williams averaged 8.1 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 62 games in 2021-22.
In a chat with HoopsHype, on behalf of Herbalife, Williams opened up about his NBA journey, sharing how he’s focused on leveling up his game and looking forward to a fresh start in Brooklyn.
What are you doing out there with Herbalife and these basketball camps?
Ziaire Williams: Yeah, man, it’s a great opportunity for me to come back home and show the residents of Lancaster, California, and the rest of Antelope Valley a fun place to have some fun and play basketball. You know, Lancaster doesn’t have a lot of things to do out here. We’re in the middle of nowhere, straight desert. So it’s trying to, you know, just give them a safe place to meet new people and just have some fun, man. Just have some fun.
To be able to give back, how’s that experience?
ZW: Yeah, no, man, it’s one of the coolest feelings in the world. I get goosebumps just watching everybody mess around and smile with my name on their T-shirts. I got old coaches here, old teachers, and just all my Lancaster family community supporting. So it really does take a village, and it’s just surreal to see it all come full circle.
How did it feel to get traded? Were you caught off guard?
Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
Ziaire Williams: It didn’t catch me off guard. The GM [Zach Kleiman] was kind of letting me know a little bit, just so I wouldn’t be completely shocked. But when it happens, it’s always like, “Damn, it’s real now.” Like I said, man, I’m happy for the opportunity, and I’m grateful for what I experienced in Memphis, and I’m just looking forward to this next chapter in my life.
Why do you think you had more success your rookie year than the previous two seasons?
Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
ZW: Yeah, really just staying healthy. Staying on the court. When you’re on the court, you get rhythm, you’re feeling good, and things are a lot easier. So that’s why I say I’m just really trying to work on my body and make sure that I’m available. Availability is the best ability, so as long as I got that, everything else will take care of itself.
How does it feel to be on the Brooklyn Nets?
ZW: I’m excited. You know, it’s definitely gonna be a little different, but it’s a great opportunity for me to keep driving and showcase my skills. We got a great coach in Jordi Fernandez and coaching staff, so I’m just looking forward to going out there and hooping.
Thoughts on new head coach Jordi Fernandez?
ZW: It’s definitely gonna be different, but he’s super chill, man. Very low-key, very relaxed, super welcoming. He’s been great, man. We’ve had some great conversations. He’s gonna keep it real with you. He’s not gonna sugarcoat anything. His biggest thing is he wants everybody to be together and have fun. That’s his biggest principle. He’s always asking us to do team bonding events off the court, go to dinner, or whatever, but as long as we’re doing stuff together, it’s gonna translate on the court.
What has this offseason adjusting to Brooklyn been like?
Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
ZW: It’s been crazy, man. I can’t lie. There’s been a lot, but I got a great supporting cast with me – my mom, my dad, and a bunch of others on my team that are making it a lot easier. Finding new places, meeting new people, learning new plays – everything is super new. It almost feels like I’m a rookie again. To be honest with you, I love it, man. I love this opportunity, and I think it’s really a blessing in disguise for me.
What part of your game have you focused on improving this summer?
ZW: Definitely, first and foremost, my body. They say availability is the best ability. I had a nasty little back injury last year, so I’ve been really just every day in the weight room, treatment, just really trying to prioritize my body. And then on the court, just doing all the simple things, man – fine-tuning my shot, reading off closeouts, trying to be great at two or three things rather than trying to be good at a bunch of different things. We, me and the rest of my team, came up with a great plan this summer, and I’ve definitely gotten a lot better. I can’t wait to go out on the main stage and showcase the work I’ve put in the dark.
How challenging was it to recover from the back issue and hip flexor strain in February, and did it take long to feel normal again?
ZW: I was on bed rest for like two weeks. My teammates were really like getting me food, and I was stuck on a couch like, “Help me get up!” It was crazy. But no, I’m so much better than I was three, four, five months ago. I would say the injury is definitely not as bad as it seemed. When I first got hurt, I thought I was going to need surgery and all types of crazy stuff, but all I needed to do was rest and do some PT. So I’m definitely thankful for that, for sure.
Was it frustrating to hit your stride this season only to face an injury, and did it create a mental hurdle for you?
Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
ZW: Yeah, a little bit, but you know there’s nothing I could do, so it’s no point in stressing over the uncontrollables, right? Everything in life happens for a reason, and for whatever reason, I’m a man of God, and I feel like maybe He wanted me to work on my body more or look at the game from a different perspective. So I always just try to get the positive out of the situation, learn, grow, and build. That’s how I’ve gotten to where I am today.
What is your role/best skills that you bring to a team?
ZW: Definitely versatility on the defensive end, starting off switching one through four, guarding guards, guarding forwards. On the offensive end, pushing the pace, being a lob threat, shooting threes, cutting. I feel I could be really like a Swiss army knife, just being used in different areas. And for me personally, I just love to be on the court, man. The coach could put me in any position, and as long as I’m on the court and helping my team in a positive way, I’m a happy man.
In 10-15 years, whenever your basketball career ends, what do you want to be known for?
ZW: Oh, man, just a guy who always prided himself on winning, on playing team culture ball. A guy who sacrificed his life for the team, and just a good man who always put his team first and made a couple of baskets every now and then.
What’s been your favorite highlight moment so far?
ZW: Definitely my rookie year when we made it to the second round [of the NBA playoffs]. That was super cool, man. I love to win, so that’s the farthest I’ve gotten. That was the most fun I had.
Who is your GOAT?
Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images
ZW: My opinion, LeBron James, but I was in the LeBron era, so I know people might say Michael Jordan. I definitely respect the guy, just wasn’t alive to see it.
What is your all-time top five?
ZW: LeBron, Kobe, Jordan, Steph, and Shaq.
Currently, who do you think are the five best players in the league
ZW: You mean by position, or what?
Anything, man, the five guys that you think are like that. I mean, you play in the league, so like guys that you say, “Those guys are just unstoppable.”
ZW: I’ll say Ja, Luka, Giannis, KD, and probably Jokic.
Is Ja Morant a completely different person behind the doors?
Harry How/Getty Images
ZW: He flew all the way from Memphis just to come to my camp.
Do you think he’s just somebody that the media has disparaged, made him seem more villainous than he is?
ZW: Yeah, I mean, in the NBA, it’s all just recency bias.
Yeah.
ZW: He was just hurt. He didn’t play last year, but they’ll remember real quick.
And they’ll remember about you real quick, I bet.
ZW: Facts.
