*By Michael Teich* After a motorcycle accident ended his basketball career in 2003, former Blue Devils standout and Chicago Bull Jay Williams found a new calling. Williams was a one-time NCAA champion and second overall pick in the NBA draft, but more than a decade later he's built an extremely successful career as a full-time game and media analyst for ESPN. "I don’t look at it as a tragedy. I look at it as a gift," he told Cheddar Wednesday of his athletic career-ending accident. Williams's latest project is new YouTube Originals docu-series "Best Shot," executive-produced by LeBron James and his business partner Maverick Carter. The series, which debuted last week, follows Williams in his new post as a member of Newark Central High School's boys basketball coaching staff. The 8-episode doc, Williams said, exposes the tough challenges young athletes faceーon and off the court. Although his accident doesn't define him, Williams tells Cheddar he views it as an opportunity to make an impact on the sports world. Earlier this year, he weighed in on the latest debateーwhether college athletes should be paid for court time. He thinks it's about time players get a share of the nearly $1.1 billion in revenue that the NCAA earned last year. He even called for an outright player boycott of the NCAA's Final Four tournament in a [Twitter video](https://twitter.com/RealJayWilliams/status/968643972288704513) last February. Williams's video followed the example of other big names in sports like his TV-partner LeBron and ex-player and fellow ESPN analyst Jalen Rose. Williams may be optimistic about change, but he knows that it may take a while. "It’s going to take something monumental to happen." For more on this story, [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/jay-williams-gives-his-best-shot-in-new-youtube-docu-series).

Share:
More In Sports
All-Pro Football Player Launches Foundation for Rescue Dogs
All-Pro Baltimore Ravens offensive lineman Ronnie Stanley joins Cheddar News to discuss launching The Ronnie Stanley Foundation, whose mission is to improve the quality of life for rescue dogs, provide training that cultivates therapeutic properties, and match each rescue with an individual who has faced a challenge in life such as a chronic illness or emotional trauma.
New York's Tax Rate Poses Potential Challenge to Mobile Sportsbooks
Earlier this week, New York's gaming commission approved nine mobile sports platforms to operate in the market, but each respective sportsbooks' revenue will be taxed at 51%, tied for the steepest rate in the country. Eben Novy-Williams, sports business reporter for Sportico, joins Cheddar News' Closing Bell where he breaks down the challenge sportsbooks face to be profitable in the region.
Data Helping the Seattle Seahawks Win Off the Field
One NFL team says it is using data to help it win off the field. The Seattle Seahawks say they want to be a source of inspiration for other organizations that want to reap the rewards of a data-driven culture and aim to show the unlikely role data can play in professional sports operations. Seattle Seahawks Director of Business Strategy and Analytics Paimon Jaberi joins Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss.
Another Week of College Football Playoff Shakeups
Mark Drumheller, Betting Analyst for the Sharp App, tells viewers who to back in a pair of key college football matchups and shares who to put your Heisman bets in for before it's too late. Sponsored by BetMGM
NFL Mid-Season Awards
Martin Weiss, Extra Points Podcast Network Host and Gambling Personality, provides his betting insight on what to expect for the remainder of the NFL season and doles out some NFL Mid-Season Awards. Sponsored by BetMGM
Betting a Big Week in the AFC
BetMGM host Olivia Harlan Dekker joins Cheddar Bets to break down a week with massive implications for the AFC Playoff picture. Plus: the debut of Olivia's Weekend Portfolio. Sponsored by BetMGM
Load More