Michael Carter-Williams became rookie of the year in the NBA in 2014. On May 29, he made his debut in boxing in New York. The reason is the good purpose.
Michael Carter-Williams changes the sport. The NBA Rookie of the Year 2014 will make its debut as an amateur boxer in New York on May 29. The 33-year-old competes against the 36-year-old Sam Khaift in a heavyweight struggle over three rounds.
The event, which takes place under the name “Broad Street Brawl”, serves to collect funds for the Bigvision Community, a non -profit organization that supports young people in recreation of drug abuse.
From the NBA star to boxing
“Michael Carter-Williams came to my radar about two months ago,” the event promoter Ronson Frank told ESPN . “A fighter who originally registered for the fight recommended Carter-Williams as someone who might be interested and we were connected. He found the purpose really good and wanted to be part of it.”
After his college time at Syracuse in 2013, Carter-Williams was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round with the 11th pick. The 1.96 -meter point Guard achieved an average of 16.7 points, 6.2 rebounds and 6.3 assists and secured the award as Rookie of the Year.
Nevertheless, in his second season he was transferred to the Milwaukee Bucks shortly before the Trade Deadline and played for five teams in five years: from Philadelphia to Milwaukee, Chicago, Charlotte and Houston to Orlando in the 2018-19 season, where he stayed until the end of his career. However, he could not build on his rookie year.
NBA withdrawal 2024 – now boxing professional?
Carter-Williams played his last NBA game in 2023 and officially announced his resignation in October 2024. In May of last year, Carter-Williams in the Players’ tribune said to his farewell from the NBA: “I no longer play the ‘Was-Wennen’ game,” he wrote. “I am at peace with my career. I have achieved so many successes and lived a life that is bigger than I dreamed of. I met great people and can give something back that makes me proud. I am grateful for everything. I don’t really regret it.”
Carter-Williams ended his career with an average of 10.2 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game. Frank believes that this may not be the only boxing match for Carter Williams.
“It all depends on how this fight runs. He is very proud, athletic, and I think he can do himself as an amateur fighter. If he wants to become a professional, it is a completely different challenge. You have to be a world-class athlete to do it in the NBA, and if he also dedicates this to boxing, together with his natural athletics, he has the potential to be successful.”