Shammond Williams, a former college and NBA star, has been added as an assistant coach to the Tulane men’s basketball coaching staff, it was announced by head coach Ed Conroy on Wednesday.
Williams joins the Green Wave staff filling the vacancy of Doug Novak’s departure to become the head coach at Bethel College. The Greenville, S.C., native comes to Tulane after spending last season as an assistant coach at Furman.
"We are extremely excited that Shammond Williams has joined our basketball staff," Conroy said. "He brings energy, a passion for the game and a strong work ethic to our program along with playing experiences that include a highly successful NBA and professional playing career."
Prior to coaching, Williams had a 13-year career in professional basketball that included time in the NBA and in Europe. A second round choice of the Chicago Bulls in the 1998 NBA Draft, Williams earned time with seven NBA franchises over his career, including the Los Angeles Lakers, the Denver Nuggets, the Atlanta Hawks, the Seattle SuperSonics, the Boston Celtics, the New Orleans Hornets and the Orlando Magic.
Williams played seven seasons overseas and helped Spanish club FC Barcelona to the European semifinals in 2006. A naturalized citizen of the Republic of Georgia, he has represented Georgia internationally and claimed Most Valuable Player honors at the 2005 Euro Challenge All-Star Game.
"He is a talented teacher of the game who is driven to help our student-athletes develop on and off the floor and will make a tremendous impact in our player development," Conroy added. "I am eager to witness the relationships Shammond is able to cultivate within our program and on the recruiting trail while sharing all his basketball and life experiences."
Williams brings national recruiting ties to the Green Wave and has served as a counselor at the prestigious Nike Elite Youth Skill Academies.
A four-year letter winner at UNC, Williams helped guide the University of North Carolina to three NCAA Final Four appearances, including 1995, 1997 and 1998.Williams, who played alongside Rasheed Wallace, Antawn Jamison and Vince Carter during his career at UNC, served under Hall of Famer Dean Smith and Bill Guthridge.
Williams averaged 16.8 points and 4.2 assists per game as a senior in 1998 to propel the Tar Heels to a 34-4 record and his third NCAA Final Four appearance. He averaged 10.7 points and 3.0 assists per game over his four seasons in Chapel Hill, N.C., while setting single season schools records for free throw percentage (91.1%) and three-point baskets (95). He finished his college career with a school record 233 three-point baskets and 84.9% success rate at the foul line.
A prep standout at Greenville’s Southside High School for head coach Mark Huff, Williams guided the Tigers to the 1992 AA state title before helping his school to the 1993 Upper State championship and a state runner-up finish. He also played one season at Fork Union Military Academy for legendary coach Fletcher Arritt.
Williams, the cousin of NBA star Kevin Garnett, is married to Lynn M. Williams. The couple has one daughter Aniston (3) and a son, Shammond Williams, Jr. (9 months).
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