Shelden Williams' career as a Hawk

Atlanta Hawks

Hawks second-year player Shelden Williams, the Hawks' top draft pick of 2006, is struggling to fit on team of like-bodied young men. What exactly is that fit, we ask a season-and-a-half in?

Here's a quick look back at the Shelden Williams' career with the Atlanta Hawks. (AP file photo)

Shelden Williams, the "Landlord" as he was known at Duke, was chosen by the Hawks as the fifth overall pick of the 2006 NBA Draft. He was selected ahead of Brandon Roy, last season's Rookie of the Year, who is averaging nearly 38 minutes on the court.

Williams came highly touted from his time at Duke. An All-American, he began as a starter early for the Hawks fell out of the rotation halfway through the year before finishing strong. For the season he averaged 5.5 points and 5.4 rebounds in 18.7 minutes.

Williams showed some promise his rookie year. He garnered the Rookie of the Month award for April recording four double-doubles that month -- he led all rookies with eight for the season.

Tennessee's Candace Parker (hazed by Duke's "Cameron Crazies") has enjoyed a two-year long engagement to the Hawks' Shelden Williams. "We both put in a lot of sacrifices," Williams said. "It has been harder this year. Our schedule seems to conflict more now."

In 14 games in November, Williams averaged almost 11 minutes of playing time. His most consistent period on the court. He averaged dipped in January and he's played in but one game this month.

After Williams was the victim of a carjacking outside a barbershop on Cascade Road, just hours before the Hawks played the Charlotte Bobcats in December at Philips Arena, he spent more time on the bench.

1/7

Here's a quick look back at the Shelden Williams' career with the Atlanta Hawks. (AP file photo)

Today's Gallery Headlines

People join in a chant on the 17th Street Bridge in Atlanta on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, while protesting the ICE shooting of Renee Good and the U.S. military action in Venezuela. (Ben Gray for the AJC)

PHOTOS: Atlanta demonstrators join ICE protests across the nation

PHOTOS: Hawks defeat Pelicans

PHOTOS: Trae Young reportedly traded to Wizards

PHOTOS: Georgia Tech's comeback falls short in loss to Syracuse in ACC basketball

More Galleries

PHOTOS: Hawks introduce top draft pick Asa Newell

PHOTOS: Hawks play Heat in Play-In elimination game

Photos: NBA history for Trae Young in Hawks' loss to Heat

Alerts