Name: Lou Williams
Title: NBA player
Team: Atlanta Hawks
Twitter: @TeamLou23
During his first years in the NBA, Lou Williams learned tremendously by playing alongside NBA-great Allen Iverson. But it wasn’t long before Williams proved that he could hold his own. When Iverson departed from the 76ers, Williams took over as the Philadelphia 76ers leading scorer while coming off the bench as the team’s 6th man.
Now as a guard with the Atlanta Hawks, Williams gets a chance to add to his legacy as a top scoring threat in the NBA while playing in front of his hometown crowd. Creating havoc for NBA defenses as a lethal scorer is Williams’ day job, but he also takes pride in giving back when he’s not on the court.
Williams decided to start the Lou Williams Foundation in 2005 to give back to inner city communities across the nation. The organization has helped kids remain focused on academic success and given back to those who are in need.
Williams has witnessed the growth of several kids who started in his program as teenagers and are now successful college students.
He was quoted saying: “I realize nothing is possible for me without basketball. This is my platform and gives me great opportunities. Everything that I have done to this point has come from the opportunities that have been provided by basketball. Whatever your grind is, you can’t lose grip of what’s important.
It takes hard work. You can’t wait for handouts or for anyone to give you any favors. You have to be very aggressive with your goals and things you want to accomplish. If you stay aggressive, things will fall into place.”
