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Master Fan
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 11,627
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This article from the Chicago Sun Times provides new details:
Quote:
Surrounded by family, friends and team management in his hospital room, Bulls guard Jay Williams faced an uncertain athletic future and a long medical battle Friday, a day after sustaining serious injuries in a motorcycle accident.
Officials with the Bulls and Illinois Masonic Medical Center declined to comment publicly on Williams' condition. But a source said Williams, 21, was listed in intensive care with injuries to his pelvic area, left leg and knee.
The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Williams had undergone one operation to repair nerve damage in his pelvic area and could require several more surgeries, including a reconstructive procedure on his left knee.
Though several team sources acknowledged that the injuries threatened Williams' career, the source painted a more optimistic picture, saying the guard would miss next season but could eventually return.
Visitors said Williams was conscious, responding to doctors and aware of the situation facing him.
A Bulls source said specialists and team doctors could formulate a plan for further surgery as early as Saturday.
The accident followed a turbulent rookie season for Williams, the national college player of the year from Duke, whom the Bulls chose with the second pick of the 2002 NBA draft.
With his lightning-quick first step, clever ball-handling ability and marketable smile, Williams was promoted as the can't-miss kid who would team with Tyson Chandler and Eddy Curry to lead the Bulls back to respectability. But Williams struggled on the court and acknowledged having trouble adapting to the professional game.
New details were emerging Friday about the accident, in which Williams lost control of his motorcycle and hit a curb, then a pole near the intersection of Honore and Fletcher Streets on the North Side.
According to Illinois secretary of state records, Williams had owned his 2002 Yamaha for only a week, having purchased it June 12 from the Chicago Cycle Center on North Western Avenue. Employees there declined to comment.
Records indicated that the cycle was registered in Illinois and had temporary license plates valid through September.
Williams was not wearing a helmet, police said. He was not cited for traffic violations.
But Williams was not licensed to drive a motorcycle in Illinois or his native state of New Jersey, officials in both states said. Chicago police spokesman Dave Bayless said operating a motorcycle without proper licensing could lead to a citation.
A friend said Williams had been riding to meet Kevin Bradbury, a college friend who works in public relations at Golin/Harris International. Bradbury was waiting with his own motorcycle near the accident site but didn't see the crash, the friend said. Bradbury accompanied Williams in the ambulance to the hospital.
The standard NBA player contract bars motorcycle riding without team consent.
A team official refused to comment on whether the Bulls knew about Williams' use of a motorcycle.
A termination for breach of contract would be extremely unlikely, according to an NBA Players Association source. The team official refused to speculate on the possibility.
Several of Williams' teammates said he had spoken openly of his fondness for motorcycles. One player said Williams had taken him to see a different model during the season.
Those same teammates, though, reflected the mood of the organization Friday, talking in somber and subdued tones.
"I still can't believe it," said Rick Brunson, one of Williams' closest friends from last season. "My thoughts and prayers are with him."
Said Jamal Crawford, who competed against Williams for playing time at guard: "I couldn't sleep last night. I went to bed at 4 a.m. and got up like two hours later. I'm going to wait for the right time to see him, but I have to see my boy."
Bulls Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf, general manager John Paxson and coach Bill Cartwright were among the visitors to Williams' hospital room.
His parents, David and Althea Williams, also held vigil, and Williams' Bay Area-based agent, Bill Duffy, flew in late Friday.
Paxson issued a statement as the only official word from the organization.
"The atmosphere at the Berto Center is one of shock and sadness," Paxson's statement read. "The last thing on our minds right now is basketball, and the foremost thought on our minds is that of Jay's health. We respect the privacy of the family and as time goes on we will be waiting for the family and doctors to report to us on Jay's status. The thoughts and the prayers of the Bulls family are with them."
Team sources indicated the family might take the weekend to gather itself before making a statement.
Those with knowledge of Williams' condition acknowledged he would face daunting rehabilitation but pointed out that another former Duke star, Bobby Hurley, returned to play after a horrendous car accident.
"We know Jay's fighting spirit," Bulls guard Fred Hoiberg said. "He had a turbulent rookie season, but he fought through that and had a productive last quarter-season. You just hope it's not a career-threatening injury. Right now, as a teammate and friend, you just hope he's OK."
Williams has been ticketed at least three times since January 2001 for speeding, reckless driving and unsafe operation of a motor vehicle in New Jersey and North Carolina, officials in those states said.
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Not licensed to drive a motorcycle in Illinois, not wearing a helmet, has a history of speeding and driving recklessly... Wow! Not good. I would hope that Bulls management had some kind of idea about this stuff.
[ 06-21-2003: Message edited Chi159 ]
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