--One of the most respected players in franchise history to join Michael Malone's staff--
SACRAMENTO ---- The Sacramento Kings announced today the organization has named Corliss Williamson as an assistant coach, joining Brendan Malone, Dee Brown, Chris Jent, and Micah Nori on Head Coach Michael Malone's staff.
Williamson, a 12-year NBA veteran, joins the Kings coaching staff after spending the last three seasons as the men's basketball coach at the University of Central Arkansas. His coaching career includes three years at Arkansas Baptist College, two as an assistant before serving as head coach during the 2009-10 season.
Known as "Big Nasty," Williamson played two stints with the Kings (1995-96 – 1999-00 and 2004-05 – 2006-07), averaging 10.8 points (.492 FG%, .683 FT%), 3.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 22.9 minutes per game in 466 career games in Sacramento. Renowned by teammates, coaches and fans for his gritty style of play, leadership abilities and consummate professionalism, Williamson also remains among the team's most charitable players in franchise history and the only two-time recipient of the annual Oscar Robertson Triple Double Award bestowed on the Kings player who best exemplifies excellence on and off the court.
Considered one of the greatest players in Arkansas state history, he enjoyed a storied collegiate career at the University of Arkansas, helping guide the Razorbacks to three straight NCAA Tournament appearances, including a trip to the Sweet 16 in 1993 and an NCAA Championship a year later—earning Most Outstanding Player of the Tournament honors after leading the school to a 76-72 win over Duke. His stellar play again fueled the Razorbacks to a repeat appearance in the NCAA final in 1995. The following June, Sacramento tabbed Williamson with the 13th overall pick in the 1995 NBA Draft.
After playing his first five NBA seasons in Sacramento, Williamson was traded by the Kings to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for Doug Christie on Sept. 29, 2000. He spent half the season with the Raptors before being dealt to Detroit, where he would ultimately earn a Sixth Man of the Year award (2001-02) and an NBA championship (2004). En route to helping lead the Pistons to the 2004 NBA title, Williamson joined an elite list of players to win both an NCAA title and an NBA championship.
Williamson would eventually play two more seasons in a second tenure with the Kings after being traded to Sacramento in 2005. He retired in September of 2007 among the all-time leaders in Sacramento era annals, ranking fourth in games played (466), seventh in field goals made (1,995), eighth in field goals attempted (4,057), ninth in free throws attempted (1,513), and 10th in points (5,026) and minutes (10,671).