June 2, 2006

TORONTO (CP) - Three years after a motorcycle crash that forced Jay Williams to learn how to walk again, he believes he's finally ready to step back on the NBA court.

He says he wouldn't mind if it was as a Toronto Raptor.

Williams, the former No. 2 NBA draft pick out of Duke, is in Toronto working out for the Raptors, and likes what he sees in the young team and new GM Bryan Colangelo.

``The thing I like about Toronto is the winning atmosphere,'' said Williams. ``Guys want to win, guys want to be great players, and you can't say that about every franchise. They're definitely on the right path there to getting better.

Jay Williams was on his way to becoming one of the leagues best lead guards before being sidelined by an accident. (NBAE/Getty Images)

``I love the style (Colangelo) brings to the team,'' he added. ``We worked a lot pushing the ball, he wants to play that kind of fast tempo. And you've guys like Chris Bosh on your wing and Mo Pete can stretch out the defence, and (Charlie) Villanueva can shoot the ball, the possibilities are exciting.''

In June 2003, Williams crashed his new motorcycle into a light pole, fracturing his pelvis, tearing knee ligaments and damaging nerves in his left leg. He hasn't played in the NBA since.

The Bulls honoured one year of Williams' contract even though he violated a standard clause. They waived him in February of 2004 after reaching a settlement on the remaining two years. The buyout was reportedly worth about $3 million US.

Jim Kelly, the Raptors' director of player personnel, said while Williams is ``very fit,'' it remains to be seen whether he's ready to return to the NBA.

``He's pressing for that, but to be honest, we haven't seen him in a full-court game,'' said Kelly.

Williams insists he's good to go.

``I actually think I'm ready to play now.''

After Williams' horrendous crash, there was speculation about whether he'd ever play again _ nerve damage had left one of his legs with almost no feeling.

He says that despite his long layoff, there's surprisingly no trepidation when he steps on the court.

``I kind of still feel fearless when I go down there and get banged up,'' said Williams.

He was sporting a bandage over his left eye, after taking a whack in a practice.

``It's kind of good, I put my hand on my face and I was bleeding, and I'm like, wow, I forgot how this feels,'' said Williams. ``I'm excited. No fear of playing basketball. What's going to happen is what's going to happen. I know that, and just take it for what it is.''

Kelly said Williams wasn't as fluid as he once was, but showed more patience in setting up his shot and finding his teammates, a sign of maturity that has been forced on him by his circumstances.

``My sole purpose, I'm not going to be a point guard who's going to try to score 40 points, I'm going to be a guy who's going to get all my teammates involved and try to make everyone around me look like all-stars and win basketball games,'' said Williams, who has workouts scheduled with several other NBA teams.

The Raptors also worked out Toronto native and University of Connecticut shooting guard Denham Brown on Thursday, along with Kentucky guard Rajon Rondo, Pittsburgh guard Carl Krauser, and Montreal's Mohamed Hachad, a guard out of Northwestern.

Scheduled to work out Friday are Richmond forward and Edmonton native Jermaine Bucknor, Duke guard Sean Dockery, South Florida forward Solomon Jones, and Syracuse guard Gerry McNamara.