Where are they now? Jason Williams

Ex-Duke star a survivor

Before the 2000-01 basketball season, Duke's players were asked to share their hoop dreams.

"Throw the ball up as the buzzer sounded, winning the national championship," Jason Williams remembers saying.

As the final seconds ticked down that April night in Minneapolis, Chris Duhon ran toward a euphoric Williams and reminded him to heave the ball skyward. The dream was a reality.

Duke had defeated Arizona for its third NCAA title under coach Mike Krzyzewski and Williams -- the ACC's top scorer (21.6 ppg) -- had been a driving force throughout the championship season.

Williams was dynamite in college -- a smart, friendly guard with a megawatt smile who lit up Cameron Indoor Stadium. He graduated in three years, won National Player of the Year awards as a sophomore and junior, and had his No. 22 jersey retired.

He entered the NBA Draft after his junior year and the Chicago Bulls picked him second overall. But in 2003, his pro dream turned into a nightmare, the result of a motorcycle crash that left him with a fractured pelvis, torn knee ligaments and nerve damage in his leg.

Suddenly, life wasn't a jump shot. It was about rehab. It was rough.

"Coach [K] played an imperative role during that time as did my mother and father,'' Williams said. "That [experience] taught me the real meaning to life, help put things in perspective. ... A part of me was getting lost in the world of being a celebrity and making a lot of money."

Williams played pro ball sparingly, but couldn't regain his old form after the accident.

Now Williams, who owns a home in Durham and also lives in his native New Jersey, works with 24-Hour Fitness and ESPN as a studio analyst. He expects to be teaming up some with former North Carolina standout Hubert Davis.

"We can have some Duke and UNC jokes," Williams said. "But we will be objective, tell how we see it."

While talking about the game isn't like playing it, Williams, at age 27, says: "I'm very happy."