JAY-Z actually played a role in former NBA player Lou Williams’ decision to forego college and go straight to the pros, entering the NBA Draft in 2005.
Lou Will joined DraftKings’ The Starting Five podcast earlier this month where he revealed that a night out on the town with Hov and LeBron James convinced him he didn’t need to spend another day in a classroom.
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“I went straight from high school. My thing — my senior year in high school I started experiencing things. I had this one night, LeBron [James] and [Maverick Carter] introduced me to JAY-Z,” he recalled. “I kicked it with Jay for a night and I went to school the next day.
“And I was looking around the class like, ‘I’m nothing like none of y’all.’ You know what I’m saying? I started experiencing different shit so I was like, ‘I’m not going to sit in another classroom after this.’ I literally can’t do it. I don’t think that’s gonna be the path for me. So I start preparing myself like I’m going to the NBA.”
Williams had reason to believe he could make the quantum leap to the NBA after winning Mr. Georgia Basketball back-to-back years in his junior and senior seasons at South Gwinnett High School.
According to Rivals, Lou Will was the No. 7 overall recruit in the nation and had committed to play at the University of Georgia before declaring for the NBA Draft where he was selected No. 45 in the second round by the Philadelphia 76ers in 2005.
Lou Williams went on to have a decorated 17-year career where he was one of two players ever (Jamal Crawford) to win the Sixth Man of the Year Award three different times (2015, 2018, 2019).
Earlier this month, Williams officially announced his retirement from the NBA at 36 years old. During his time in the league, he suited up for the Philadelphia 76ers, Houston Rockets, Toronto Raptors, Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers as well as the Atlanta Hawks.
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Lou Williams has dabbled in the rap world as well. He’s been namedropped by the likes of Drake on 2015’s “6 Man” and has collaborated with Meek Mill and Jadakiss.
