Last Updated on April 19, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Player Profile

  • Full Name: Michael Carter-Williams
  • Nickname: MCW
  • Nationality: American
  • Date of Birth: October 10, 1991
  • Hometown: Hamilton, Massachusetts, USA
  • Height: 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
  • Weight: 190 lbs (86 kg)
  • Wingspan: 6 ft 7 in
  • Shoe Size: NA
  • Jersey Number:
    • #1 — Syracuse Orange
    • #1 — Philadelphia 76ers
    • #5 — Milwaukee Bucks
    • #10 — Chicago Bulls
    • #7 — Charlotte Hornets
    • #1 — Houston Rockets
    • #7 — Orlando Magic
  • Position: Point Guard / Combo Guard
  • High School: St. Andrew’s School (Rhode Island)
  • College: Syracuse University
  • NBA Draft: 2013 — Round 1, Pick 11 — Selected by Philadelphia 76ers
  • Player Archetype: Tall playmaking guard with defensive upside
  • Primary Offensive Role: Ball-dominant initiator / transition creator
  • Defensive Role: Perimeter disruptor; switchable guard defender
  • Play Style: Slashing guard who thrives in open court; inconsistent perimeter shooter; relies on size and instincts for playmaking
  • Handedness / Shooting Hand: Right-handed
  • Athletic Profile: Above-average size for position, long stride, fluid but not explosive
  • Recruiting Status: 4-star recruit (Class of 2011)
  • Draft Status Detail: One-and-done candidate who rose after strong sophomore season at Syracuse; viewed as high-upside guard due to size and versatility
  • Injury Status Category: Moderate Risk — multiple lower-body injuries and shoulder issues impacted consistency and availability but did not fully derail career
  • Career Stage: Late-career journeyman / fringe roster guard
  • Comparison Style: Oversized guard reliant on instincts and defensive versatility more than shooting
  • Comparable Players:
    • Shaun Livingston — tall playmaker with midrange reliance
    • Lonzo Ball — size and defensive instincts at guard spot
    • Rajon Rondo — pass-first guard with inconsistent shooting
    • Delon Wright — defensive-minded combo guard role
  • Teams Played For:
    • Philadelphia 76ers (2013–2015)
    • Milwaukee Bucks (2015–2016)
    • Chicago Bulls (2016–2017)
    • Charlotte Hornets (2017–2018)
    • Houston Rockets (2018–2019)
    • Orlando Magic (2019–2022)
  • Championship Rings: 0
  • Parents: Not widely documented publicly
  • Children: Not publicly known
  • Siblings: Not widely documented publicly

Michael Carter-Williams’ player archetype is that of a tall, defense-first playmaking guard who leverages size and instincts rather than shooting efficiency to impact the game. Defensively, he operates as a disruptive perimeter defender capable of switching across guard positions, using his length to generate steals and deflections. Offensively, his primary role has been as a ball-dominant initiator, particularly effective in transition where his stride and vision create scoring opportunities, though his half-court efficiency has been limited by inconsistent shooting. Physically, his 6’5″ frame with above-average length gives him a structural advantage over most point guards, shaping a play style centered on slashing, opportunistic passing, and defensive activity rather than spacing or shot creation.

Sources:
NBA — Michael Carter-Williams Player Profile
Basketball Reference — Michael Carter-Williams Stats
ESPN — Michael Carter-Williams Bio