Derrick Williams will venture overseas again, but this time it will be in Europe.
The former Arizona Wildcat announced on Instagram Thursday evening that he will take his talents to Germany to play for FC Bayern Munich of the Basketball Bundesliga League and EuroLeague.
Former Arizona Wildcat Derrick Williams heading overseas to Germany to play for FC Bayern Munich. pic.twitter.com/1Fd5EzkH94
— Justin Spears (@JustinESports) September 28, 2018
"I’ve made the decision to play in Europe this year with FC Bayern Munich. Wasn’t the easiest decision but it was the right decision," Williams said in the post. "I’ve been in the NBA for 6-7 years now and I’ve been on multiple teams , played against and with some of the best players in the world. I’ve been behind (Kevin Love), Rudy Gay, Carmelo (Anthony), (LeBron James), and the list can go on."
The 6-foot-8, 240-pound Williams is entering his seventh season as a professional basketball player after being drafted second overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2011 NBA Draft. After two seasons with the Timberwolves, the stretch forward bounced around the NBA, playing for the Sacramento Kings, New York Knicks, Miami Heat and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Then, Williams played for the Tianjin Gold Lions in China before signing a 10-day contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. After 248 games in the NBA, Williams averaged 8.9 points and four rebounds per game.
"People would kill to even accomplish that. Do I complain? No. I’ve just learned and tried to get better in every aspect of the game and learned behind some of the best players to pick up a basketball and many of those guys will tell you I come to work and do what’s asked from me," Williams said.
And Williams doesn't plan on having this opportunity as his last stop as a professional basketball player.
"It’s never the end of the road because i know I’ll be back and that’s what people hate about me," he said. "I’m still here and pushing along. People talk and I’ve heard them all but Tiger (Woods) just proved it. You can have the world against you but he is still in your face. That’s my plan and everyone will see. I’m 27 now and only getting wiser and mentality stronger for the next call I get and it will be epic."
Bayern Munich begins its season at home on Friday against Germany's Ratiopharm Ulm.
