Former Maccabi Tel Aviv Forward Derek Williams Signs One-Year Deal with AEK Athens
Derek Williams, the 35-year-old forward and former Maccabi Tel Aviv player, has signed a one-year contract with an option to extend at AEK Athens. This marks his return to European basketball after a year away from the sport. Williams last played in Europe during the 2022/23 season with Panathinaikos.
Williams was the second overall pick in the NBA draft and has played for several prominent clubs including Bayern Munich, Fenerbahce, and Valencia before joining Maccabi Tel Aviv. In his single season in Israel, he averaged 9.6 points and 3.5 rebounds per game. Prior to that, he also played in Puerto Rico and South Korea. His most recent active season was 2024/25.
At AEK Athens, Williams will join a roster that includes veterans Lucas Lavicius, Greg Brown, and Frank Bartley. The signing is seen as a significant addition to the team as they prepare for the upcoming season.
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