An Antelope Valley high school basketball phenom who now contributes to one of the NBA’s top teams gave back to his community with a free basketball clinic on Saturday.
Ziaire Williams of the NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies hosted the clinic in his hometown of Lancaster.
Williams hosted the first of what should be an annual event with help from Herbalife Nutrition and Impact Basketball.
The 6-foot-9 forward was born and raised in Antelope Valley and was inspired to give back to his community which he believes is teeming with untapped potential.
“Growing up in this town, we didn’t have a lot of resources and not a lot of opportunities, but the talent, the creativity and the beautiful mindsets are here,” Williams said.
More than 200 children, ages 6 to 18, attended the basketball camp at the Pioneer Event Center. Williams led the kids through dribbling and passing drills and showed off his hops with some electrifying dunks.
His parents were present and got to see their son inspiring the children and sharing his story of growing up in similar circumstances.
Marquita Fields-Williams, Ziaire’s mother, said the secret to her son’s success was to work hard, stay humble and remember where he came from.
“[It’s] what’s in your heart and just be a good student, be a leader and not follow the crowd,” she said.
The 20-year-old just completed his first year in the NBA after being drafted with the 10th pick in the 2021 NBA Draft at Stanford. His stellar rookie campaign saw him appear in 62 games, averaging 8.1 points and 2.1 rebounds for the league’s most surprising rising team.
For Williams, his upbringing in the often overlooked Antelope Valley helped shape him into the player and person he is today and he says giving back to his hometown felt like a calling.
“I really try to give back to the kids and give them a safe place where they can just hang out and play basketball and have fun,” he said. “We didn’t have that as a kid growing up here, I just feel like if I get the opportunity to give back it’s honestly my duty.”
As part of the event, the children also had the chance to work with Joe Abunassar, NBA coach and owner of Impact Basketball. A lucky child also received a one-week scholarship to train with Abunassar in Las Vegas.
Tiffany Johnson, the current Miss California USA, also greeted children and parents at the event. Johnson is another Lancaster native who founded a nonprofit for underprivileged athletes.
Ultimately, however, the event was all about basketball and an inspirational message from one of Antelope Valley’s favorite sons.
“Anything they want to do, they can achieve with hard work and dedication,” Williams said.
Williams is now entering his second year in the NBA with the Memphis Grizzlies. The team’s regular season begins October 19 against the New York Knicks and the game will be broadcast on ESPN.
