Terrence Williams' Net Worth and Contract: A Look After Ex-Nets Player's Imprisonment
by NOUMAN RASOOL | VIEW 466
Former NBA player Terrence Williams has found himself in the spotlight once again, though not for his on-court achievements. He has been sentenced to a 10-year prison term for healthcare fraud, a stunning fall from grace that has left fans and former associates reflecting on his career and financial situation.
With an estimated net worth of $5 million at 36 years of age, Williams' wealth was primarily derived from his NBA career. Born in Seattle, Washington, he was an 11th overall pick in the 2009 NBA draft by the New Jersey Nets.
His career, however, was marked by inconsistency and frequent change.
Williams' Earnings Across Teams
During his two-season tenure with the Nets, Williams earned $4.27 million, with the team exercising a $2.4 million player option during the 2010-11 season.
He then moved on to the Houston Rockets, earning $4.5 million over two seasons. Williams also played one season each for the Sacramento Kings, where his initial 10-day contract evolved into a full-time commitment, and the Boston Celtics, amounting to earnings of $263,706 and $296,775, respectively.
Williams' on-court statistics were hardly remarkable, averaging just 7.1 points per game (with a 41.2% shooting average, including 31.7% from 3-point range) and 3.6 rebounds across his six-season career. But it's the off-court actions that have ultimately defined his legacy.
Accused of orchestrating a three-year fraudulent scheme involving 17 other former NBA players, Williams participated in the submission of fake reimbursement claims for medical procedures that were never performed. Running from 2017 to 2020, the scheme targeted the NBA Players' Health and Welfare Benefit Plan and generated fake claims amounting to $3.9 million, with the players acquiring $2.5 million in the process.
The NBA's reaction was one of disappointment and commitment to cooperation. "The benefit plans provided by the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association to our players are critically important to support their health and well-being throughout their playing careers and over the course of their lives, which make these allegations particularly disheartening," read a statement released after the indictment on Oct.
7, 2021. In addition to his prison sentence, Williams will face three years of supervised release, a forfeiture of $653,672.55, and $2.5 million in restitution. The sentencing marks a dramatic and somber conclusion to Williams' career, leaving a stain on the legacy of a player who once held significant promise.
The shocking news surrounding Williams comes amidst other headlines in the sports world, such as the discussion by USA's top sports cardiologists about Bronny James' cardiac arrest and recovery time. The juxtaposition serves as a stark reminder of the fragility and unpredictability of both professional sports careers and the lives that surround them.