Ziaire Williams Jr. Bio
Ziaire Williams Jr. is an American professional basketball player who currently serves as a small forward and power forward for the Brooklyn Nets in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Born on September 12, 2001, in Lancaster, California, Williams has established himself as a versatile player known for his scoring ability and rebounding skills. He entered the NBA as the tenth overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, selected by the New Orleans Pelicans before being traded to the Memphis Grizzlies. Williams previously played college basketball for Stanford University, where he earned recognition as a five-star recruit before launching his professional career.
Early Life and Background
Ziaire Williams Jr. was born as the only child of Ziaire Williams Sr. and Marquita Fields-Williams in Lancaster, California. Both of his parents served in the military, with his mother having served in both the Army and Air Force, and his father having served in the Marine Corps. His mother works as a probation officer, while his father is employed in the beverage industry. Williams began playing basketball at the age of five and started training under the guidance of his father by the time he was eight years old, showing early promise and dedication to the sport.
Williams attended Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles, for his first three years of high school. During his freshman season, he averaged 13.6 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. Although he missed much of his sophomore season due to injury, he found success during the summer playing for his club team BTI Select. As a junior at Notre Dame, Williams averaged an impressive 27 points, 10 rebounds, and three assists per game, earning All-Mission League first team and USA Today All-USA California second team honors. He was named Los Angeles Daily News boys athlete of the week on January 14, 2019, after scoring at least 34 points in two consecutive games.
Path to Professional Basketball
Prior to his senior year, Williams transferred to Sierra Canyon School in Chatsworth, Los Angeles, joining a highly-touted roster that included fellow five-star recruit BJ Boston, as well as Bronny James and Zaire Wade, the sons of NBA superstars LeBron James and Dwyane Wade respectively. Due to CIF Southern Section transfer rules, Williams was not eligible to play until December 29, causing him to miss more than 10 games. In his season debut, he scored 28 points in an 85-81 overtime loss to Rancho Christian School. He later made a memorable buzzer-beater against Etiwanda High School, scoring 17 points in a 63-61 comeback victory on March 11, 2020.
As a senior at Sierra Canyon, Williams averaged 15 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game, helping his team win the CIF-SS Open Division title. He was named player of the year by the Los Angeles Times. Williams was rated as a consensus five-star recruit and the number one small forward in the 2020 recruiting class. On April 12, 2020, he announced his commitment to Stanford University over schools including Arizona, USC, North Carolina, and UCLA, becoming Stanford’s highest-ranked recruit in the modern recruiting era and the program’s first five-star recruit since Reid Travis in 2014. He was selected to play in the McDonald’s All-American Game, Jordan Brand Classic, and Nike Hoop Summit, though all three events were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ziaire Williams Jr. Career
College Career (2020–2021)
Williams made his collegiate debut for Stanford on November 30, 2020, making an immediate impact by scoring 19 points and grabbing eight rebounds in an 82-64 victory against Alabama. His most memorable performance came on January 7, 2021, when he recorded 12 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists, achieving the first triple-double by a Stanford player since 2007 in a 91-75 win over Washington. Throughout his freshman season, Williams averaged 10.7 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game, shooting 37.4 percent from the field. He declared for the 2021 NBA draft on March 31, forgoing his remaining college eligibility.
Memphis Grizzlies Era (2021–2024)
On July 29, 2021, Williams was selected with the tenth overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft by the New Orleans Pelicans, then traded to the Memphis Grizzlies. His rookie season was delayed due to an ankle injury and a stint in the NBA’s COVID-19 protocols, causing him to miss 14 consecutive games. He finally made his first career start on January 6, 2022, recording 14 points and two steals in a 118-88 win over the Detroit Pistons. On February 2, Williams set a career-high with 21 points in a 120-108 victory against the New York Knicks, tying this record later that month against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
During the 2022-23 season, Williams missed the first 24 games with a right knee injury before making his season debut on December 7, contributing four points, six rebounds, three assists, and two steals in a 123-102 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. He appeared in 62 games that season with 23 starts, averaging 6.3 points and 2.8 rebounds per game. In the playoffs, Williams made his postseason debut during the first round against the Timberwolves, scoring four points in a Game 1 loss. The Grizzlies won that series in six games but were eliminated in the second round by the Golden State Warriors.
Brooklyn Nets Era (2024–Present)
On July 19, 2024, Williams was traded to the Brooklyn Nets alongside a second-round draft pick in exchange for Mamadi Diakite and the draft rights to Nemanja Dangubić. During the 2024-25 NBA season, Williams appeared in 63 games with 45 starts, averaging 10.0 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game. On June 30, 2025, he re-signed with the Nets on a two-year, $12.5 million contract, securing his place with the franchise through the 2026-27 season.
Playing Style and Strengths
Williams is known for his versatility on the court, capable of playing both small forward and power forward positions. Standing at 6 feet 9 inches (206 cm), he combines size with athleticism and ball-handling skills typical of perimeter players. His offensive game includes an ability to score from multiple levels, attack the basket, and contribute as a rebounder. Williams has shown the capacity to create his own shot while also functioning effectively within a team offense.
Notable Events and Milestones
Throughout his career, Williams has achieved several notable milestones including his triple-double performance at Stanford, his career-high 21-point games during his rookie season with the Grizzlies, and his playoff debut in the 2022 NBA postseason. His buzzer-beater in high school against Etiwanda remains one of the memorable moments from his amateur career, showcasing his ability to perform in clutch situations.
Ziaire Williams Jr. Career Statistics
Williams has established solid statistics across his NBA career, showing consistent improvement during his time with both the Memphis Grizzlies and Brooklyn Nets. His rookie and sophomore seasons laid the foundation, while his time with the Nets in 2024-25 represented his most productive professional season to date in terms of scoring and overall contributions.
| Season | Team | Games | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-22 | Memphis Grizzlies | 62 | 8.1 | 2.1 | 1.0 |
| 2022-23 | Memphis Grizzlies | 62 | 6.3 | 2.8 | 1.3 |
| 2023-24 | Memphis Grizzlies | 59 | 7.5 | 2.9 | 1.2 |
| 2024-25 | Brooklyn Nets | 63 | 10.0 | 4.6 | 1.3 |
Ziaire Williams Jr. National Team Career
Williams represented the United States at the 2019 FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup held in Heraklion, Greece. In seven games during the tournament, he averaged 5.3 points and 1.2 assists per game, helping the United States team win the gold medal. This international experience provided Williams with valuable competitive exposure at a high level before his college and professional career.
Ziaire Williams Jr. Family
Family Background and Military Lineage
Ziaire Williams Jr. comes from a family with a strong military background. His father, Ziaire Williams Sr., served in the United States Marine Corps, while his mother, Marquita Fields-Williams, served in both the United States Army and Air Force before beginning her career in probation work. His father works in the beverage industry for 7 Up in Sylmar, Los Angeles. Growing up in this structured household provided Williams with discipline and values that contributed to his development as both a student-athlete and professional.
Personal Life
Williams attended Sierra Canyon School, a well-known prep program in the Los Angeles area that has produced several notable basketball players. His time at Sierra Canyon placed him alongside other high-profile prospects including Bronny James, son of NBA legend LeBron James. Williams maintains an active presence on social media with his Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) accounts. He has expressed gratitude for his family’s support throughout his basketball journey, particularly acknowledging his father’s role in his early development.
2025 Season Performance
The 2024-25 NBA season marked a significant chapter in Williams’ career as he transitioned to the Brooklyn Nets. Appearing in 63 games with 45 starts, Williams set new career highs across multiple categories, averaging 10.0 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game. His improved consistency and health allowed him to contribute meaningfully to the Nets’ rotation throughout the season. His ability to play multiple positions gave the coaching staff flexibility in their lineups and rotations.
Following the conclusion of the 2024-25 season, Williams and the Nets agreed to a new contract. On June 30, 2025, he signed a two-year deal worth $12.5 million, demonstrating the franchise’s commitment to his development and future contributions. The contract extension provides Williams with stability and the opportunity to continue building his game with a clear role on the team. As he enters the 2025-26 season, Williams is expected to assume an expanded role within the Nets’ system, continuing to develop his scoring, playmaking, and defensive abilities at the NBA level.