JAMAAL WILLIAMS HIRED AS ASSISTANT COACH FOR UNLV MEN’S BASKETBALL
Williams joins Runnin’ Rebel program after serving in same role at Portland State last season
@UNLVAthletics | @TheRunninRebels
Jamaal Williams has been hired as an assistant coach for the UNLV men’s basketball program, head coach Kevin Kruger announced Wednesday.
“We are thrilled to have Jamaal and his family join us at UNLV,” Kruger said. “I have known him since we played against each other in college, we have kept in touch through the years and have crossed paths numerous times over the last year on the recruiting trail. He is very passionate, has great experience in all levels of basketball and will be a great fit in the Runnin’ Rebel program.”
Williams comes to Las Vegas after serving in the same role at Portland State last season.
“My family and I are excited to be joining the Runnin’ Rebel program and Coach Kruger,” Williams said. “What he is building here is special and I’m excited to be a part of the process. I have so much respect for him as a person and as a competitor from our times competing against each other, but I am sure glad we are on the same team now.”
Prior to joining the Vikings staff, Williams was an assistant coach at Garfield High School and Nathan Hale High School, two powerhouses in the Seattle area. In his combined eight years at those schools, he was a part of five Washington state championships. Nathan Hale won the national championship in 2017, led by star Michael Porter Jr.
From 2017-21, Williams was the Head Coach of the AAU Seattle Rotary Nike EYBL team, where he led it to back-to-back Peach Jam berths in Augusta, South Carolina. He has coached such stars as Jaden McDaniels (currently with the Minnesota Timberwolves) and Paolo Banchero, who played at Duke before being selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. He also coached two other 2022 NBA Draft picks: Tari Eason (No. 17) and MarJon Beauchamp (No. 24).
During his time coaching at the high school and AAU levels, Williams worked with 23 players who have competed at the Division I level, four McDonald’s All-Americans and six current NBA players.
Originally from Corona, California, Williams starred collegiately at Washington (2003-06), and was a teammate of Brandon Roy during his time there. They reached the NCAA Sweet 16 twice and were the tournament’s No. 1 seed in 2005 after winning the Pac-12 title. Williams also played at New Mexico (2001-03) before transferring to UW.
After college, Williams played professionally in Italy, France, Iceland, Argentina, Israel and the Philippines. Roy later hired Williams as an assistant at Nathan Hale and Garfield.
Williams earned his degree in communications from Washington in 2006. He and his wife, Brandi, have four children: Jayda (18), Brooklynn (15), Braylen (13), Jorgia (8).