Newsletter: Clippers! C.J. Williams has traveled a long path to get here

Hi, my name is Broderick Turner, and welcome back to the Los Angeles Times’ Clippers newsletter.

He has gone to immeasurable lengths to turn his childhood dream into a reality and to hopefully find job security in the NBA with the Clippers.

And at times that has meant criss-crossing the United States and being an ultimate frequent flier club member because that’s what the job has required.

Have basketball, will travel.

That should the motto for C.J. Williams.

He was signed to a two-way contract by the Clippers to play for their NBA Development League team, the Agua Caliente Clippers of Ontario.

Much of his time, however, has been spent playing for the Clippers, the team’s misfortunes with injuries turning into Williams’ break, allowing him to showcase his skills.

Here’s an example of one of his itineraries:

On Nov. 18, Williams flew from Reno, where he was playing for ACC, to join the Clippers in Charlotte, N.C., for a game against the Hornets.

On Nov. 20, he flew from Charlotte with the Clippers to New York for a game against the Knicks.

On Nov. 21, he flew from New York to Ontario to join ACC.

On Nov. 22, he flew back across the country to join the Clippers in Atlanta, arriving just in time for the game against the Hawks.

That’s about 8,000 miles of travel, and it has all been worth it for the 27-year-old Williams.

“So, it has been a little crazy,” said Williams, laughing at his, well, crazy travels. “But, I knew that’s what I signed up for. That was my job. Unfortunately, we’ve been riddled with injuries, but that’s allowed me to have an opportunity and get more confident at the NBA level and that’s what I’m here for.”

He has appeared in 13 games for the Clippers, two of them as a starter, averaging 9.8 minutes per game and 2.7 points on 43.8% shooting, 44.4% from three-point range.

His role is clearly defined.

“Right now, it’s to defend,” Williams said. “That’s what I have to do. But I have to defend better and be kind of the guy who can fill in until guys get back and just be ready when my number is called.”

Williams, at 6-5, has the versatility to defend multiple positions, from shooting guards to small forwards and even some power forwards.

“He’s like a utility knife,” Clippers coach Doc Rivers said. “You can put him in a lot of spots. You can start him or not start him. You can play him at the two, the three and you can even play him at the four.”

For as much as his journey to play for the Clippers this season has taken Williams all over the country, that’s nothing compared to the path he has traveled to get to this point.

After graduating from North Carolina State in 2012, Williams played in Cyprus, for the LA D-Fenders, in Italy, France and for the Dallas Mavericks’ D-League team, the Texas Legends.

Now he is with the Clippers.

“It’s a dream come true,” Williams said. “I was talking about it with my family. To come from being a three-star recruit in high school to now being an NBA starter, it’s different. It’s not the typical story. I enjoy it and I’m loving every moment of it.”

Players who sign two-way contacts can spend up to 45 days on an NBA roster, so while he’s with the Clippers, Williams is making the most of his opportunities.

And the Clippers have found out that he not only is a solid basketball player, but Williams is a good teammate.

“He’s one of those guys you like on your team. He’s extremely low-maintenance,” Rivers said. “He just does what he does and what you tell him to do. He’s just a solid, high-character person and a good basketball player.”

In case you missed it

Doc Rivers is getting more familiar with Milos Teodosic’s game.

Montrezl Harrell hasn’t stopped working and Clippers are seeing results.

Clippers refuse to go negative despite losing record.

Up next

(All times Pacific)

Friday at Washington, 4 p.m.

Saturday at Miami, 5 p.m.

Monday at San Antonio, 5:30 p.m.

Wednesday vs. Phoenix, 7:30 p.m.

And finally

We’d love for you to subscribe or to spread the word and ask your friends to subscribe. It’s free! Click here to subscribe.

Have a comment or something you’d like to see in a future Clippers newsletter? Email me and follow me on Twitter: @BA_Turner.