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Richard Jefferson Shocked NBA Fans By Taking Shot At Jay Williams Over Career-Ending Motorcycle Crash

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Richard Jefferson Jason Williams

ESPN

Richard Jefferson made a controversial remark about Jay Williams' motorcycle accident


Former longtime NBA player Richard Jefferson took what many are calling a cheap shot at fellow analyst Jay Williams during ESPN’s coverage of the NBA Draft. Jefferson made a remark about the career-ending motorcycle accident Williams experienced in 2003.

In June 2003, just over a year after Jay Williams was selected by the Chicago Bulls out of Duke University with the second overall pick in the 2002 NBA Draft, Williams was involved in a motorcycle accident that resulted in a fractured pelvis, a severed main nerve in his leg, and three torn ligaments in his left knee, including his ACL.

Williams underwent lengthy physical therapy to regain the use of his leg and never suited up for the Bulls again. His rookie 2002/2003 season would be his only in the NBA.

Richard Jefferson caught NBA fans off-guard by taking a shot at Jay Williams over his infamous motorcycle accident

As Williams was recalling the ovation he received from the crowd when he was drafted by the Bulls, Richard Jefferson interjected by saying “They also didn’t see the future coming, so they were cheering kinda preemptively.”

Kenny Smith then chimed in to simultaneously back up yet diss Williams by adding that “The guy was an unbelievable talent [in college]” and “His career trajectory would’ve been a lot different if he didn’t like motorcycles.”

“I guess everybody that goes to Duke isn’t that smart,” Jefferson retorted.

“You better know someone damn well to say something like this. And judging from Jay Will’s reaction, he doesn’t have that kind of relationship with Richard Jefferson. Just a bad, bad look,” basketball writer Jeff Goodman said of the moment.

“As it came across as a viewer: That was a helluva an awkward exchange with Richard Jefferson and Jay Williams,” sports journalist Richard Deitsch said.

“One of the more awkward exchanges you’ll ever see goddam that wasn’t necessary at all,” Barstool’s Kevin Clancy summarized.

During his lone season in the NBA, Williams appeared in 75 games (54 starts) for the Bulls and averaged 10.5 points, 4.7 assists and 2.6 rebounds per game — a promising stat line for a rookie.

Jefferson spent 17 years in the NBA with the New Jersey Nets, Milwaukee Bucks, San Antonio Spurs, Golden State Warriors, Utah Jazz, Dallas Mavericks, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Denver Nuggets. He had career averages of 12.6 points, four rebounds and two assists per game.