Reggie Williams’ 2014 took him from the Oklahoma City Thunder to the San Miguel Beermen of the Philippine Basketball Association to training camp with the Miami Heat and the NBA D-League.
When the Spurs signed Williams to a 10-day contract on Wednesday, Williams said his long pro basketball journey has made this latest stop even more rewarding.
“It’s cliché, but you never give up,” Williams said. “I went from being undrafted to playing overseas, then in the D-League, then the NBA. Going back and forth has been my life. It has helped me to always keep working, because these opportunities don’t always come around.”
A 6-foot-6, 210-pound forward, Williams was signed from the Oklahoma City Blue of the D-League. Williams, 28, has played in 13 D-League games this season, averaging 16.8 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists.
The Spurs are Williams’ fourth NBA team, after 180 career games with the Thunder (2013-14), Charlotte Hornets (2011-13) and the Golden State Warriors (2009-11).
Williams has averaged 8.5 points and 2.6 rebounds in his NBA career, including an impressive rookie season in 2009-10 when he averaged 15.2 points and 4.6 rebounds in 24 games for the Warriors, making 10 starts.
“Being an older guy, it makes you more hungry,” Williams said. “I want to stay in the NBA and I’ll keep that hunger to do it. Whether it’s 10 days, 20 days or one day, I’m going to be the best that I can be for the Spurs.”
Williams has also played internationally for Caja Laboral of Spain (2011) and JDA Dijon of France (2008-09).
He led the NCAA in scoring twice while playing collegiately at the Virginia Military Institute, averaging 28.1 points in 2006-07 and 27.8 points in 2007-08.
Williams will wear No. 55 for the Silver and Black.
“Coming to a team that’s established and having a chance to learn from these great coaches and veteran players, you take everything you can from them,” Williams said. “The ultimate goal is to stay here.”