Life Without Borders
This is the third and final installment of this three-part interview series with Jerome “Junkyard Dog” Williams, a nine-year NBA veteran who has taken us on a journey into how he became one of the most influential role players in League’s history.
If you missed part one or part two, be sure to catch up before enjoying this series finale!
Jerome Williams retired from the NBA after the 2004-05 season with the Knicks, concluding a nine-year career in which the “Junkyard Dog” became one of the league’s most cherished role players. Following his retirement, Williams channeled his passion for basketball into a broader mission to spread joy and positivity. He emerged as a dedicated philanthropist and humanitarian, inspiring others through motivational speaking, life coaching, and his nonprofit organization, Shooting for Peace. Through these efforts, Williams continues to uplift communities and share his love for the game and life.
On September 30, 2024, the world and the National Basketball Association mourned the loss of one of the most vivacious and compassionate individuals to ever grace the hardwood. Dikembe Mutombo was not only one of the preeminent centers in basketball history but also one of the league’s most ardent humanitarians, committed to charitable endeavors long after his playing career concluded. A native of the Congo, Mutombo prioritized advocating for and elevating the quality of life for people throughout Africa.
Like Mutombo, Jerome Williams was a fellow Georgetown Hoya alum, and the two players formed a special bond well before they would compete against each other in the NBA and eventually collaborate to aid communities in Africa. “This person, this individual, I had so much love for.” Williams expressed. “He mentored me in a different way. He made sure that I learned about other parts in the world.” Mutombo would press Williams to come to Africa with him time and time again, but Williams would consistently turn him down. “I would tell him, I’m not going to Africa man, I’m staying right here in the U.S. I go to Canada, and I go to Mexico. I stay in North America.” Williams joked, but Mutombo would keep on pressing him to take the journey with him.
Photo by Catherine Steenkeste/NBAE via Getty Images
Finally, Mutombo approached Williams again, asking for his help to join him on a Basketball Without Borders trip. This time, Williams couldn’t refuse. “It was just the most amazing thing. I was so thankful and grateful that he stayed on me. We went to so many places after those helping kids, communities, families… countries.” Williams recalled. From that point forward, Williams embraced the role of NBA Global Ambassador.
Several years ago, Mutombo returned the favor for JYD by participating in Williams’ “Shooting for Peace” program at the NBA All-Star Weekend in Cleveland. “He will be sorely missed. What a great human being”.
Today, Williams takes pride in his role as a life coach, using his platform to share his passion for life with individuals, students, and corporations alike. His message resonates with a wide range of people. “Everybody needs to be relentless. Everybody needs to be an opportunist. And they need to leverage things and include everybody and everything.” Williams told of his new book Role Players, and his upcoming television show Family Business, in which he goes around the world with his son to show individuals what their family business looks like in a fun and engaging way.
Photo by Kenny Giarla/NBAE via Getty Images
Williams’ Shooting for Peace program fosters unity by promoting education, encouraging young people to read, and inspiring them to participate in sports and other constructive activities.
Williams’ involvement with the program came at a particularly critical moment in 2015, following the tragic death of Freddie Gray in Baltimore Police custody. “I was invited to my first Shooting for Peace event (in 2015 in Baltimore) that was put on by an NFL player. They were called in by the police, and the community to calm the gangs and the people in the community (of Baltimore). There were rumors going around that people in the city of Baltimore were going to go around executing and shooting police officers. They wanted us to talk to high schools, and on the radio, and at a community pep rally to speak to not do those kinds of things.” Williams told, “At the end of it all we invited all the students and the community out to a basketball game where retired NFL and NBA legends played against current police officers. After the game, and after the two days of events, it was over. I said to myself ‘This was such a good thing for us to do. We calmed down the neighborhood. Peace was restored after such a tragedy, but this isn’t going to be the last time we get asked to do this.” Williams then created a program to leave the kids with something bigger and longer lasting.
To date the Shooting for Peace initiative has generated over $10 million in scholarship funds, supporting young students in communities across the country.
Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images
Of all the different groups Williams has had the opportunity to reach, he takes the greatest pride in connecting with middle school students. For him, there is special significance in lending his voice to this age group, as he strives to make a meaningful difference during this pivotal stage in their development.
As a young student, Williams recalls the powerful moment when a former Washington Redskins player visited his school and spoke to his class. Williams hung onto every word, feeling an immediate drive to be great. That experience left such a lasting impact that, years later as a professional basketball player, he felt inspired to pay it forward. Reflecting on the influence that figures like himself can have on young students, he recognized the immense potential to encourage greatness in others. From that point on, Williams made it his personal mission to share that same empowering message with the next generation.
Williams preaches that it’s important for everyone regardless of how big or small they are, that everyone has a R.O.L.E. in their communities. “Your R.O.L.E of being a relentless, opportunist leveraging everything starts in your community.”
Given all that Williams has accomplished off the court, it comes as no surprise that his name was recently submitted for consideration into the NBA Hall of Fame as a contributor. His impact extends far beyond basketball, shaping communities and inspiring countless individuals through his philanthropy and advocacy.
To learn more about Shooting For Peace, its mission, and upcoming events, you can visit the Shooting For Peace website here.
Stay tuned for the upcoming release of The Junkyard Dog’s new book Role Player. We’ll feature an in-depth review of the book, exploring its insights and inspiration.