Last Updated on April 17, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Robert Lee Williams III is an American professional basketball player, currently serving as a center for the Portland Trail Blazers in the NBA.

Player Profile

  • Full Name: Robert Lee Williams III
  • Nationality: American
  • Age: Born October 17, 1997
  • Hometown: Shreveport, Louisiana, USA
  • Height: 6 feet 9 inches (2.06 meters)
  • Weight: 249 pounds (113 kilograms)
  • Wingspan: 7 feet 6 inches (2.29 meters)
  • Shoe Size: Size 17 (US)
  • Jersey Number: 35
  • Position: Center
  • High School: North Caddo High School, Vivian, Louisiana
  • College: Texas A&M University (2016–2018)
  • NBA Draft: Selected by the Boston Celtics in the 1st round, 27th overall pick, in 2018
  • Teams Played For:
    • Boston Celtics (2018–2023)
    • Portland Trail Blazers (2023–present)
  • Championship Rings: None to date
  • Children: Two
  • Siblings: One sister, Brittanni

Player Archetype / Play Style

Robert Williams’ player archetype is that of a defensive anchor and vertical-spacing center, a big whose best value comes from protecting the rim, finishing plays, and changing the geometry of the game with his athleticism. Defensively, he thrives as a roaming shot blocker and weak-side eraser who can contest above the rim, rotate quickly, and clean up mistakes behind the play, while still having enough mobility to hold his own outside the paint. Offensively, his role is streamlined but important: he screens, dives hard to the basket, finishes lobs, crashes the glass, and makes simple passing reads without needing touches called for him. At roughly 6-foot-9 and 249 pounds, with long arms and explosive leaping ability, Williams has the physical profile of an undersized but highly disruptive modern center. His overall play style is built on energy, timing, rim protection, and play-finishing, making him most effective when he is impacting possessions through defense, hustle, and pressure around the basket rather than self-created offense. (NBA)

Sources:

NBA.com — Robert Williams III
The Ringer — NBA Third-Quarter Awards and the Biggest Surprises and Disappointments of 2021-22
NBA.com — White Shines in Debut, C’s Snag 7th Straight Win over Denver
The Ringer — The Winners and Losers of the 2018 NBA Draft
NBC Sports Philadelphia — NBA Draft Profile: Texas A&M F Robert Williams III