Career Timeline of Mo Williams: Major Achievements and Milestones

How Mo Williams built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Maurice "Mo" Williams is a former professional basketball player and current assistant coach at the University of Kentucky. He played 13 seasons in the NBA after being drafted by the Utah Jazz in 2003. He played college basketball at the University of Alabama for two seasons. An NBA All-Star in 2009, Williams played for several teams, including the Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Clippers, Portland Trail Blazers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Charlotte Hornets, and Cleveland Cavaliers. He won an NBA championship with the Cavaliers in 2016 before retiring in 2017.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

2002: Freshman Season at Alabama

In 2002, Maurice Williams, as a freshman at the University of Alabama, started every game at point guard, averaging 10.4 points and 4.5 assists, contributing to the team's successful season.

2003: Sophomore Season at Alabama

In 2003, Maurice Williams led the Alabama Crimson Tide in scoring and assists, averaging 16.4 points and 3.8 assists per game. He earned third-team All-SEC honors.

2003: NBA Draft and Debut with the Jazz

In 2003, Maurice Williams was selected as the 47th overall pick in the NBA draft by the Utah Jazz. He then began his NBA career with them.

2003: Declares for NBA Draft

In 2003, after two seasons at the University of Alabama, Maurice Williams decided to forgo his final two years of college eligibility and declared for the NBA draft.

2003: Rookie Season with Utah Jazz

In 2003, during his rookie season with the Utah Jazz, Maurice Williams averaged 5 points and 1.3 assists per game.

August 8, 2004: Milwaukee Bucks Sign Offer Sheet

On August 8, 2004, the Milwaukee Bucks signed Maurice Williams, who was a restricted free agent, to an offer sheet.

2004: Joins the Milwaukee Bucks

In 2004, Mo Williams joined the Milwaukee Bucks. Filling in for injured T.J. Ford, Williams averaged 10.2 points and 6.1 assists.

2005: Clutch Plays with the Bucks

During the 2005-06 season, Maurice Williams displayed a knack for clutch plays, making several game-winning shots for the Milwaukee Bucks.

December 20, 2006: First Career Triple-Double

On December 20, 2006, during a game against the Miami Heat, Maurice Williams recorded his first career triple-double with 19 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists.

2006: Starting Lineup Position with Bucks

In 2006, the Milwaukee Bucks traded T.J. Ford, opening up a starting lineup position for Maurice Williams, who achieved career highs in the first 19 games of the 2006-07 season.

January 27, 2007: Game-Winning Shot Against Knicks

On January 27, 2007, Maurice Williams scored 30 points, including making a game-winning shot, and recorded 10 assists during a win over the New York Knicks.

2007: Re-signs with Milwaukee Bucks

In the summer of 2007, Maurice Williams, a free agent, decided to stay with the Milwaukee Bucks, signing a six-year, $52 million deal.

August 13, 2008: Traded to Cleveland Cavaliers

On August 13, 2008, Maurice Williams was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in a three-team, six-player deal. He changed his jersey number to #2.

2008: Cavaliers' League-Leading Record

During the 2008–09 season, Maurice Williams helped the Cleveland Cavaliers achieve a league-leading 66–16 record.

February 10, 2009: Replaces Chris Bosh in All-Star Game

On February 10, 2009, Maurice Williams was chosen to replace Chris Bosh in the 2009 NBA All-Star Game as a second alternate choice.

2009: NBA All-Star Selection

In 2009, Maurice Williams was selected as an NBA All-Star, marking a significant achievement in his professional basketball career.

November 24, 2010: First Buzzer Beater as Cavalier

On November 24, 2010, Maurice Williams made his first buzzer beater as a Cavalier to win the game against his former team, the Milwaukee Bucks, scoring 25 points.

February 24, 2011: Traded to Los Angeles Clippers

On February 24, 2011, Maurice Williams was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers along with Jamario Moon in exchange for Baron Davis and a first-round pick.

2011: Cavaliers Reunion

In July 2015, Maurice Williams' signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers, returning to the team for a second stint since his time there in 2011.

June 29, 2012: Traded Back to the Utah Jazz

On June 29, 2012, Maurice Williams was traded back to the Utah Jazz in a four-team deal that sent Lamar Odom to the Los Angeles Clippers.

August 8, 2013: Signed with Portland Trail Blazers

On August 8, 2013, Maurice Williams signed with the Portland Trail Blazers.

November 23, 2013: Ejection and Suspension

On November 23, 2013, during a game against the Warriors, Maurice Williams was ejected and subsequently suspended for one game.

July 30, 2014: Signed with Minnesota Timberwolves

On July 30, 2014, Maurice Williams signed a one-year, $3.75 million contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

January 13, 2015: Career-High 52 Points

On January 13, 2015, Maurice Williams scored a career-high 52 points in a game against the Indiana Pacers, breaking the franchise single-game scoring record.

February 10, 2015: Traded to Charlotte Hornets

On February 10, 2015, Maurice Williams was traded to the Charlotte Hornets along with Troy Daniels and cash considerations.

July 10, 2015: Signed with Cleveland Cavaliers

On July 10, 2015, Maurice Williams signed a two-year, $4.3 million contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers, returning to the franchise for a second stint.

June 14, 2016: Exercises Player Option

On June 14, 2016, before the end of the 2016 NBA Finals, Maurice Williams exercised his player option with the Cleveland Cavaliers for the 2016–17 season.

June 19, 2016: Final NBA Game

On June 19, 2016, Maurice Williams played his final NBA game, Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals, when Cleveland won against the Golden State Warriors 93–89. Williams recorded 2 points in the game.

September 26, 2016: Announces Intentions to Retire

On September 26, 2016, Maurice Williams announced his intentions to retire from the NBA, although he didn't officially sign retirement papers.

2016: NBA Finals Run

In 2016, Maurice Williams experienced limited playing time during the Cleveland Cavaliers' playoff run, ultimately winning the NBA Championship against the Golden State Warriors, after being down 3-1 in the series.

2016: NBA Championship with the Cavaliers

In 2016, Maurice Williams won his only NBA championship as a player with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

January 7, 2017: Traded to Atlanta Hawks

On January 7, 2017, Maurice Williams, along with Mike Dunleavy Jr. and a future first-round draft pick, was traded to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Kyle Korver.

January 2017: Trade Rumors

In January 2017, rumors began to surface about Maurice Williams being a possible trade piece for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

January 18, 2017: Traded to Denver Nuggets

On January 18, 2017, Maurice Williams was traded to the Denver Nuggets alongside cash considerations in exchange for the rights to Cenk Akyol, but was immediately waived.

2017: Retirement from the NBA

In 2017, Maurice Williams retired from professional basketball after playing 13 seasons in the NBA.

May 2018: Assistant Coach for Cal State Northridge

In May 2018, Maurice Williams became an assistant coach for the Cal State Northridge Matadors men's basketball team, marking an end to his playing career.

2019: Second-Round Draft Pick

In February 2015, The Charlotte Hornets received a 2019 second-round draft pick following the trade of Mo Williams, Troy Daniels and cash considerations.