Former NBA Rookie of the Year Michael Carter-Williams wins heavyweight boxing debut
Former NBA Rookie of the Year Michael Carter-Williams wins heavyweight boxing debut
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(This story originally appeared on USA TODAY.)
Michael Carter-Williams, the 2014 NBA Rookie of the Year, came out swinging in his boxing debut.
Carter-Williams, 33, defeated Sam Khatib via unanimous decision in a three-round heavyweight contest at the Broad Street Brawl in New York on Thursday, which marked the first amateur boxing match of his career.
In a recent interview on "The Ariel Helwani Show," Carter-Williams said stepping in the boxing ring helps him "scratch that itch" for competition since retiring from professional basketball in October 2024. He last played for the Orlando Magic in the 2022-23 NBA season, when he averaged 4.3 points in only four appearances.
"I've been competing my whole life, and that's something I want to do. I want to continue to compete," Carter-Williams said. "I respect the sport (of boxing). I'm a big fan. I watch a lot. I've got a lot of friends that fight."
Carter-Williams was drafted out of Syracuse by the Philadelphia 76ers with the 11th overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft. He was named the 2014 NBA Rookie of the Year after averaging 16.7 points, 6.3 assists and 6.2 rebounds in 70 games (all starts) with the 76ers. He went on to play nine years in the NBA for six different teams, including the 76ers (2013–2015), Milwaukee Bucks (2015–2016), Chicago Bulls (2016–2017), Charlotte Hornets (2017–2018), Houston Rockets (2018–2019) and the Magic (2019–2023).
The 6-foot-5 athlete said he's taking his new boxing career "one step at a time."
"I don't know where it's going to take me or where it's going to lead me," Carter-Williams said on May 12 ahead of his Thursday debut. "I know that there's an avenue for people who played professional sports, who enter the boxing ring. There's a lane there. I don't know, I'm kind of taking it one step at a time. It's one of those things I definitely want to keep getting better at."
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