Vince Williams Jr. Bio
Vincent Terrill Williams Jr. (born August 30, 2000) is an American professional basketball player who most recently played for the Utah Jazz of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Selected with the 47th overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft, Williams played college basketball for the VCU Rams before beginning his professional career with the Memphis Grizzlies organization. Known for his versatility as a shooting guard, Williams has demonstrated his ability to contribute across multiple statistical categories throughout his NBA tenure.
Early Life and Background
Vince Williams Jr. was born on August 30, 2000, in Toledo, Ohio, United States. He attended St. John’s Jesuit High School in Toledo, Ohio, where he developed his basketball skills before advancing to the collegiate level. His upbringing in Ohio provided him with the foundation to pursue basketball at a high level.
After completing high school, Williams transitioned to NCAA competition, selecting Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) as his college destination. He joined the VCU Rams program with aspirations of developing into a professional-caliber player, beginning his collegiate career in the 2018–2019 season.
Path to Professional Basketball
Williams arrived at VCU with promise but faced immediate challenges. Before his freshman season, he tore the labrum in his left shoulder and was sidelined until August 2018. As a freshman, he appeared in games and averaged 4.9 points and 3.3 rebounds per game while working to regain full health.
During the following offseason, Williams suffered another significant setback when he tore the labrum in his right shoulder, requiring surgery. He was not fully cleared to return until early October 2019, which impacted his sophomore campaign. Williams was limited to 21 games during his sophomore season due to additional hand and ankle injuries, averaging 4.2 points and 2.8 rebounds per game. Despite these obstacles, he continued to work toward his goal of reaching the NBA.
His persistence paid off during his junior and senior seasons at VCU, where he emerged as a reliable contributor for the Rams. Williams earned Third-team All-Atlantic 10 honors in 2021 and followed that with First-team All-Atlantic 10 recognition in 2022, solidifying his draft stock and demonstrating his ability to compete at a high collegiate level.
Vince Williams Jr. Career
VCU Rams (2018–2022)
Vince Williams Jr. spent four seasons developing with the VCU Rams from 2018 to 2022. Despite facing early career injuries including two torn labrums in his shoulders, he steadily improved his game each season. His progression from a limited role player as a freshman and sophomore to a First-team All-Conference performer by his senior year showcased his dedication and basketball IQ.
His standout senior season in 2021–2022 cemented his status as an NBA prospect, with Williams demonstrating scoring ability, playmaking skills, and defensive versatility that translated well to the professional game. His Atlantic 10 Conference honors reflected his status among the top players in the region.
Memphis Grizzlies Breakthrough (2022–2026)
Williams was selected with the 47th overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft by the Memphis Grizzlies. On July 2, 2022, he signed a two-way contract with the organization, splitting time between the NBA roster and the Memphis Hustle of the NBA G League. During his rookie season, Williams made 15 appearances including one start, averaging 2.0 points, 1.0 rebound, and 0.3 assists per game while continuing to develop his skills.
The 2023–2024 season marked a significant breakthrough for Williams. On January 10, 2024, he signed a multi-year contract with the Grizzlies, signaling the organization’s confidence in his abilities. He appeared in 52 total games including 33 starts, averaging 10.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game. This represents his most productive professional season to date, demonstrating his ability to contribute meaningfully at the NBA level.
During the 2024–2025 NBA season, Williams appeared in 27 games with five starts, averaging 6.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game. In the 2025–2026 NBA season, he played in 34 games with 12 starts before his season was interrupted, posting averages of 8.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game while showcasing improved playmaking ability.
Playing Style and Strengths
Williams plays the shooting guard position and stands at 6 feet 4 inches (1.93 meters). His game features versatility on both ends of the floor, with the ability to score, distribute, and rebound from the guard position. His collegiate career at VCU emphasized defensive versatility, and he has demonstrated the capacity to guard multiple positions at the NBA level.
Notable Events and Milestones
Williams reached several career milestones during his time with Memphis. His multi-year contract signing in January 2024 represented a significant step in his professional career. He set career-high numbers across multiple statistical categories during the 2023–2024 season, establishing himself as a rotation player for the Grizzlies.
Utah Jazz Tenure (2026)
On February 3, 2026, Williams was traded to the Utah Jazz as part of a multi-player deal that also included Jaren Jackson Jr., Jock Landale, and John Konchar going to Utah in exchange for Kyle Anderson, Walter Clayton Jr., Taylor Hendricks, Georges Niang, and three first-round draft picks. This move represented a new chapter in Williams’ professional career.
Unfortunately, his tenure with the Jazz was cut short. On February 23, 2026, Williams suffered a season-ending left ACL tear after colliding with Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason during a play away from the ball. Prior to the injury, he had appeared in six games for Utah, averaging 4.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.7 assists. On March 9, 2026, Williams was waived by the Jazz following the injury.
Vince Williams Jr. Career Wins
Williams’ professional career includes significant contributions with the Memphis Grizzlies over multiple seasons. His career highlights center on his development from a two-way player to a consistent rotation contributor.
Memphis Grizzlies Highlights
Williams’ most notable professional achievements came during his time with the Memphis Grizzlies organization from 2022 to 2026. His career-high season came in 2023–2024 when he averaged double-digit scoring while contributing across multiple statistical categories. He appeared in over 130 total games with the Grizzlies across four seasons, including numerous starts demonstrating his value to the team’s rotation.
College and Award Recognition
At the collegiate level, Williams earned First-team All-Atlantic 10 honors in 2022 and Third-team All-Atlantic 10 honors in 2021 during his tenure with the VCU Rams. These conference accolades represented the peak of his competitive career prior to entering the NBA.
Vince Williams Jr. Family
Personal Life
Born in Toledo, Ohio, Williams grew up in the Midwest before pursuing his basketball career at VCU in Virginia and later professionally. He maintains a presence on social media with an X (formerly Twitter) account. Information regarding his family, spouse, or children has not been publicly disclosed.
2025 Season Performance
The 2024–2025 NBA season saw Vince Williams Jr. continue his role with the Memphis Grizzlies following his breakthrough 2023–2024 campaign. He appeared in 27 games with five starts during the season, averaging 6.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game while working to build on his previous season’s success.
Following the season, Williams entered the 2025–2026 NBA season with Memphis and demonstrated improved playmaking ability, posting 8.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game across 34 appearances with 12 starts. This showed continued development in his distribution skills. However, his season and professional tenure took an unexpected turn when he was traded to the Utah Jazz in February 2026, followed shortly thereafter by a significant injury that ended his season.