Robert Williams III
Robert Lee Williams III is an American professional basketball player, born on October 17, 1997, in Shreveport, Louisiana, United States. He currently plays as a center for the Portland Trail Blazers in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Standing 6 feet 9 inches tall and known for his athleticism and rim protection ability, Williams has established himself as one of the league’s most dynamic defensive forces.
High School and College Career
Williams attended North Caddo High School in Vivian, Louisiana. He was rated as a four-star recruit, ranking among the top 50 overall prospects in the class of 2016 and the number one prospect in Louisiana.
He committed to playing college basketball at Texas A&M University. In his two seasons with the Aggies, Williams quickly emerged as an elite defender. He was named the SEC (Southeastern Conference) Defensive Player of the Year on two consecutive occasions (2017 and 2018), in addition to being selected to the Second Team All-SEC in 2017. After the loss in the 2018 NCAA Tournament, Williams opted to forgo his final two seasons of college eligibility and declare for the NBA Draft.
Professional NBA Career
Boston Celtics (2018–2023)
Robert Williams III was selected by the Boston Celtics as the 27th overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. His early career in Boston was marked by inconsistencies and, notably, by his delay in signing with the team, which earned him the famous nickname “Time Lord” among fans.
Despite initial challenges and injuries, including Popliteal Artery Entrapment Syndrome (PAES) in both legs revealed in 2018, Williams had a standout season in 2021-2022. That year, he became the team’s starting center and was instrumental in the Celtics’ defensive system, being named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team. His performance helped the Celtics advance and reach the NBA Finals, where they were ultimately defeated by the Golden State Warriors. During the 2021 playoffs, he set a franchise playoff record by recording 9 blocks in a single game against the Brooklyn Nets.
Portland Trail Blazers (2023–Present)
In 2023, Robert Williams III was involved in a significant trade, being sent to the Portland Trail Blazers as part of the package that sent Jrue Holiday to the Celtics. The move marked the end of his tenure in Boston, where he developed his potential as one of the league’s best rim protectors when healthy.
His most recent career with the Trail Blazers has again been challenged by physical issues, limiting his on-court participation, including missing almost the entire 2023-2024 season. However, in a recent game in the 2024-2025 season (on November 8, 2024), Williams returned from injury and recorded a notable feat by converting his first career NBA three-pointer, demonstrating a potential expansion in his offensive game.
Williams is recognized for his vertical athletic abilities, which make him a menacing alley-oop finisher (another nickname he received was “Lob,” in reference to the high shots he finishes) and one of the most effective shot blockers in the league. His regular season career statistics, up to the 2024-2025 season, place him with robust averages, highlighting his field goal efficiency, which is close to 72%.
