As the Charlotte Hornets’ summer league practice concluded, Williams was at one end of the Cox Pavilion court, meticulously working on driving to the basket with the team’s new coaching staff. He expressed frustration with every missed shot, particularly his left-handed layup scoop shot. Pursuing basketball perfection felt elusive, and each bounce off the rim bothered him. However, after cooling down, he gained perspective, appreciating his return to the court following a challenging sophomore season marred by injuries. Williams expressed renewed joy for basketball after being sidelined for so long, relishing his workouts and time with teammates. Despite his shooting frustrations, he remained positive, emphasizing the importance of refining his skills and gradually regaining his form after participating in cardio and on-court activities over the past few days.
RB: You mentioned missing the game. How much more appreciative are you now?
MW: Yeah, a lot. Definitely a lot. I’ve never experienced an injury that sidelined me for an entire season like that before. I’m not someone who posts constant updates on my progress every day. I prefer to work quietly behind closed doors, so when Game 1 comes around, it’s as if nothing happened. That’s been my goal and my approach throughout this recovery. The new coaching staff has been fantastic, working closely with me and understanding my situation. I feel really positive about where I’m at, as I’ve mentioned before.
RB: Specifically, how are you feeling health-wise?
MW: I’m doing well. You got a glimpse of it. Not sure how long you’ve been here. Yeah, I feel good.
RB: What were the main challenges you faced while battling your back injury? Was it managing pain, dealing with stiffness, or was it more challenging than you expected? And how eager are you to move forward from it?
MW: It was about managing impact, movement, and the physical demands on my body. Dealing with something like that for the first time, being sidelined for that long, was definitely a new experience for me. Now, I’m focusing on listening to my body and trusting my rehabilitation regimen, which has put me in a good place.
RB: Are you tired of people asking about your health? Hornets fans, especially, have been concerned about your status.
MW: I understand their concern and appreciate it. Last year didn’t go as planned for us. Both myself and Melo are in a positive place now, and we’re looking forward to the future. We’re excited and eager for Game 1.
