Williams Plays in the CBA

Jayson Williams made his return to pro basketball Wednesday night, scoring two points in limited play hours after signing a contract with the Idaho Stampede of the Continental Basketball Assn.

The former NBA All-Star, who faces a retrial in March on reckless manslaughter charges related to a 2002 shooting at his New Jersey mansion, has said he hoped to use the CBA as a springboard for his return to the NBA.

Williams, who turns 37 next month, quit pro basketball in 2000 because of knee problems.

“Interested NBA teams want assurances that I am fully recovered and can withstand the rigors of daily competition,” Williams said in a statement Wednesday. “The very competitive CBA will provide me with this opportunity.”

The 6-foot-10 forward did not start Wednesday’s game against the Yakima Sun Kings, but he was the first man off the bench in both halves of Idaho’s 117-109 win. He drew a polite cheer from the sparse crowd when he first took the court about midway through the first quarter.

Williams appeared to run without problems and was going out of his way to be gracious, at one point profusely thanking a towel girl. He exchanged handshakes and hugs with members of the Sun Kings at halfcourt after the game.