Written By: Francisco Rivero
With notable names like Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and Udonis Haslem representing the Miami HEAT, it’s easy to see how a player like Shawne Williams can fly under the radar.
The former first round pick shined bright in his only season at the University of Memphis, averaging 13.2 points per game and 6.2 rebounds per game for the Tigers.
The 6’ 10” big man is a seven-year veteran of the NBA. After signing with the Los Angeles Lakers, Williams was a star on the team’s Development League affiliate, the Los Angeles D-Fenders. Williams averaged 20.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 2.09 blocks in his only season with the D-Fenders along with a .456 field goal percentage; impressive numbers that caught the eye of HEAT President Pat Riley.
“Shawne is a guy that we felt, if he could change the way that he was physically, which he has, we liked,” Riley said speaking to the media this preseason. “The transformation of his body has been incredible. He’s dropped to under 10 percent body fat. So he committed himself to being a force in this league.”
Williams brings experience and commitment to a team that embodies hard work and relentless perseverance. Williams shot 43.5 percent from three-point range in the preseason alone and continues to be impressive.
“I’ve liked him for three or four years,” Head Coach Erik Spoelstra said. “His skill set, his toughness, that in the right situation and the right commitment to his conditioning and his weight and strength, he could be a guy that fits in our style of play. And I think that’s what you’re seeing right now. He looks totally different. He remade his body this summer.”
Williams knew that playing for the Miami HEAT, becoming a member of HEAT Nation, meant that he had to buckle up and prepare himself for the intensity that the team demands.
“When I got here on the first day they did a great job of setting the tone and letting me know that this is a work facility,” Williams said. “They told me to be a HEAT player you have to work. There’s no doubt that this is one of the most hard-working organizations in the league.”
Williams understands that the HEAT is a unique team with a championship history: “The important thing around here is winning,” Williams said.