Corliss Williamson is a former professional basketball player who had a successful career in the NBA. He was born on December 4, 1973, in Russellville, Arkansas, and grew up playing basketball in his hometown. Williamson attended the University of Arkansas, where he played for the Razorbacks and helped lead the team to a national championship in 1994.
After his college career, Williamson was selected 13th overall in the 1995 NBA draft by the Sacramento Kings. He played for the Kings for three seasons before being traded to the Toronto Raptors in 1998. Williamson played for the Raptors for one season before being traded again, this time to the Detroit Pistons.
It was with the Pistons that Williamson had the most success in his NBA career. He played for the team from 2001 to 2005 and was a key player in the Pistons' 2004 championship run. Williamson was known for his scoring ability and his physical play on the court. He was often referred to as "The Big Nasty" by fans and teammates.
After his time with the Pistons, Williamson played for several other NBA teams, including the Philadelphia 76ers, the Sacramento Kings (again), and the Charlotte Bobcats. He retired from the NBA in 2007 after playing for 12 seasons.
In addition to his NBA career, Williamson also played professionally overseas. He played for teams in Turkey, Greece, and China during his career. Williamson was also a member of the United States national team that won a gold medal at the 1998 FIBA World Championship.
After retiring from playing, Williamson went into coaching. He served as an assistant coach for several NBA teams, including the Sacramento Kings, the Orlando Magic, and the Phoenix Suns. In 2014, Williamson was named the head coach of the Central Arkansas Bears men's basketball team. He coached the team for four seasons before resigning in 2018.
Overall, Corliss Williamson had a successful basketball career that spanned over a decade. He was a key player on several NBA teams and helped lead the Pistons to a championship in 2004. Williamson was known for his scoring ability and his physical play on the court, and he was a fan favorite throughout his career.
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