March 30, 2026, 4:19 p.m. ET

NEW YORK — Brooklyn Nets forward Ziaire Williams has shown some development since coming to the Nets prior to the beginning of the 2024-25 NBA season in a trade from the Memphis Grizzlies. Williams has still been a role player for Brooklyn over the past two seasons, but recently, he is showing what he is capable of when given more leeway to impact the game.

“He’s playing well and I’m extremely proud of him. How he’s embracing every single situation and opportunity, how big of a pro he has been and how supportive he’s been with his teammates,” Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez said of Williams prior to Sunday’s 116-99 win over the Sacramento Kings. Williams did not play on Sunday, but that could be because Brooklyn has seen enough from him when it comes to his growth as a two-way player.

“Challenging them [his teammates], cheering for them, just leading by example. I think that’s been great to see, not just because he’s scoring more or less,” Fernandez continued. “Obviously I’ve been running more plays for him because it’s also good to see what he can do in those situations, right? It’s an opportunity for everybody, but he’s embraced and taken advantage of every opportunity.”

Williams, 24, is averaging 10.3 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game while shooting 43.1% from the field and 34.1% from three-point land in 54 games played this season. Over his last eight games, Williams is averaging 13.4 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 2.3 steals per game while shooting 49.3% from the floor and 45.5% from behind the three-point line.

Williams has been one of the players that Fernandez has leaned on in the wake of players like rookie guard Egor Demin and backup center Day’Ron Sharpe being ruled out for the rest of the season with their injuries. Along with the fact that forward Michael Porter Jr. and rookie Danny Wolf are out of the lineup for the time being with their own injuries, Williams has benefitted from extra responsibility and he has shown his ability to handle that to great success.

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