Freeman Williams

One collector is trying to find a single signature from every man who ever played for the Jazz — all 370 of them, from the 1974 New Orleans team to today. For many of them, this page is the only one on the internet. Here is Freeman Williams: what he did on the floor, a few things most people never knew, and every card that carries his name. If you own something he signed — or you know who might — there is a note at the foot of this page.

Twice the NCAA scoring champion at Portland State, Williams stands third in Division I history in career points, behind only Pete Maravich and Antoine Davis. The Celtics drafted him eighth overall in 1978, but San Diego was where he shone, including a 51-point game against Phoenix in 1980. Utah acquired him with John Drew in the September 1982 trade for draftee Dominique Wilkins, who had refused to sign with the Jazz.

He later scored 82 points in a Philippine league game and played playground legend Duck Johnson in the 1992 film White Men Can't Jump. Substance abuse shadowed his later years, with John Lucas II a friend and mentor. Williams died in April 2022 at 65.

HOW HE CAME & WENTHe arrived in September 1982 with John Drew and cash, in the trade that sent Dominique Wilkins to Atlanta after Wilkins refused to sign with Utah.

Full name

Freeman Williams Jr.

Utah Jazz tenure

1982–83

Position

Guard

Born

1956, Los Angeles

Died

2022

Height

6′4″ (193 cm)

Weight

190 lb (86 kg)

College

Portland State

Drafted

1978, 1st round (No. 8), Boston