Report: Jackson State hires former NBA champion Mo Williams

Jackson State is adding another former pro to its roster of coaches. Following the announcement of current men’s head basketball coach Wayne Brent’s retirement, former Alabama hoops star and NBA champion Mo Williams is taking over the program, according to Jeff Goodman.

Williams, who played for the Jazz, Cavaliers, Bucks, Clippers and more, is currently the head coach at Alabama State. Not so coincidentally, the Hornets head coach is a Jackson, Miss., native. He played his high school basketball at Murrah High School before heading to the University of Alabama.

His 14-year pro career that included an NBA Championship with the Cavs in 2016 is a huge lure for high school prospects. Williams joins head football coach Deion Sanders who has already proven the right man for the job can work wonders at Jackson State.

Wayne Brent leaves behind a Jackson State program that has struggled over the past five years. His overall record with the Tigers since 2013 is 119-155. This season, Jackson State is 11-18 and 6th in the SWAC.

Alabama State basketball is 9th in the SWAC in Mo Williams’ second season. Prior to ASU, he spent two seasons at California State University at Northridge under his former Bama coach Mark Gottfried. His overall record as a head coach so far is 14-35.

Mo Williams took off at Alabama

Prior to his success in the NBA, Mo Williams splashed into the SEC as Freshman of the Year in 2002.

He helped lead the Crimson Tide to the SEC regular-season title and to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. He posted a career-best 16.4 points per game during his sophomore season before entering the 2003 NBA Draft.

Williams went No. 47 overall to the Utah Jazz where he’d play just one season before heading to Milwaukee. In his final season in the NBA, Williams and the Cavaliers defeated the Golden State Warriors in seven games to win the 2016 NBA Finals.