A young yet impactful basketball player, Mark Williams played his rookie NBA season with the Charlotte Hornets in the 2022-23 season.
The Virginia-born NBA center with Nigerian roots proved his hoops dominance since his high school & college days. At Duke University, Williams made his career-high 28 points as a sophomore before declaring for the NBA draft.
The 2022 ACC Defensive Player of the Year was the 15th overall pick by Charlotte Hornets in the 2022 NBA Draft.
With that, he and his older sister Elizabeth, who play in WNBA, became the only sibling duo to wear NBA & WNBA jerseys (as of early 2023).
Mark Williams watched his sister play basketball from a young age & dipped his feet into the sport in his pre-teens. His sister is not only his mentor but also an avid supporter & a critic.
The NBA player’s four-year rookie contract worth $18 million with the Hornets expires after the 2025-26 season.
Though, the deal does offer him eligibility for a five-year rookie extension with three years of completion of his original deal.
Here we cover everything you need to know about Mark Williams- his family, NBA contracts & career. Let’s get it all one by one!
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Mark Oluwafemi Williams |
| Date of Birth | December 16, 2001 |
| Age | 22 Years Old |
| Birth Place | Norfolk, Virginia |
| Nationality | American |
| Ancestry | Nigerian |
| Zodiac Sign | Sagittarius |
| Chinese zodiac | Snake |
| Height | 7 feet /2.13 m/ 213 cm |
| Weight | 110 Kg (242 lb.) |
| High School |
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| University | Duke University |
| Father’s Name | Dr. Alex Williams |
| Mother’s Name | Margaret Williams |
| Siblings | Two sisters |
| Girlfriend | Not Known |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Profession | Basketball player |
| Position | Centre |
| League | NBA |
| Team | Charlotte Hornets (2022- now) |
| Jersey Number | 5 |
| Tattoos | No |
| NBA draft | 2022, Round:1, Pick: 15th (Selected by Charlotte Hornets) |
| Net Worth | $1-$3 Million |
| Social Media | Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, Cameo |
| Merch | N/A |
| Last Update | March, 2024 |
Parents & More On Family!
Williams was born on December 16, 2001, in Norfolk, Virginia, to Nigerian parents: Dr. Alex Williams, a gastroenterologist, and Margaret Williams, a nurse.
The youngest of three children, Mark has two older sisters: Victoria Oloyede (eldest of all) and Elizabeth Williams.
Before his birth, his parents & sisters lived in Colchester, Essex, England, before they migrated to the United States.
Mark Williams’ sister Victoria is the mother of a son named Tristan with her husband, Tommy Oloyede. They married in June 2018.
The NBA player’s other sister Elizabeth Williams is a WNBA player who plays for Chicago Sky.
Mark was passionate about sports from an early age- he played golf, tennis & flag football, but basketball truly caught his interest.
And his elder sister Elizabeth would help him & throughout his journey to the NBA.
Details On Sister Elizabeth Williams
The NBA center’s older sister, Elizabeth (b. June 23, 1993), plays center/power forward for the WNBA team Chicago Sky.
The 2015 WNBA Draft pick played for Connecticut Sun, Atlanta Dream & Washington Mystics earlier.
On February 3, 2022, she signed a two-year contract with the Sky that runs throughout the 2025-26 season.
Standing 6 feet 3 inches (1.9 m) tall and weighing 200 pounds, Elizabeth began playing basketball at 9 & honed her basketball skills at Princess Anne High School.
She joined Duke University in 2011 as a freshman & played until 2017 before graduating with a Psychology major.
While playing for Duke Blue Devil, she recorded 426 blocks, ninth in NCAA women’s basketball history.
Moreover, Elizabeth saw honors like 2011-12 National Freshman of the Year, 2015 National Defensive Player of the Year, and Four-Time ACC Defensive Player of the Year.
On December 29, 2016, Duke University retired her jersey #1 as a tribute to her accolades.
She has represented US National Women’s basketball team & led to three gold medal wins: in the 2009 FIBA Americas U16 Championship, 2010 FIBA U17 World Championship & 2011 U19 World Championship.
Education | High School & Collegiate Career
Mark Williams was a highly-regarded basketball player at Norfolk Academy. At Norfolk, the player scored over 1,000 points during his junior season.
Likewise, he was also named to the USA Today All-USA Virginia Boys Basketball second team.
Mark then transferred to IMG Academy for his senior year and was named a 2020 McDonald’s All-American.
Attendant Of Duke University
A five-star prospect, Williams committed to Duke University (alma mater of his sister Elizabeth) & began a burst with his gamplays.
As a freshman (2020-21), he averaged 7.1 points and 4.5 rebounds per game.
It included his notable two double-doubles: scoring 18 points and 11 rebounds in an 85-71 win over Syracuse on February 2, 2021, and 23 points and 19 rebounds in a 70-56 victory against Louisville on March 10.
In his sophomore year, Mark was named ACC Defensive Player of the Year & concluded the year with 11.2 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks per game.
After that, he opted to go for the 2022 NBA Draft, waiving his remaining college year eligibility.
Professional Career & NBA Journey
A touted sophomore freshly out of the college, Mark Williams was a round-one pick, according to the scout’s prediction.
The Charlotte Hornets selected him as the 15th overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft, joining the list of anticipated picks like Jaden Ivey, Keegan Murray & Bennedict Mathurin.
On October 19, 2022, Mark made his NBA debut in a 129-102 victory over the Spurs. In his 4 min 20 seconds court appearance, he scored two points.
Williams made his first-ever NBA double-double with 17 points & 13 rebounds in a 129-113 victory over City Thunder on December 29.
On February 10, 2023, the NBA player got his first-ever start against Boston Celtics & registered a double-double with 11 points & 12 rebounds.
He played 31 minutes and shot 4-of-7 from the field but lost the game with an 11 points deficit.
Let’s see what more he has to offer!
Is Mark Williams Dating Or Married?
Unlike some NBA players who are open about their relationship with the media, Mark Williams likes it low-key.
The Hornets player has not shared much about his love life so far. No record of his dating history or girlfriend ever surfaced.
Despite an active social media presence, with over 79K followers on Instagram (@markwilliams) and 17.8K followers on Twitter (@MarkWi1liams), he does not share much about his personal life there.
Mostly it features snaps from his games & training.
So, Williams is alleged to be single at the moment & has a strong emphasis on his NBA career.
Age, Height & Body Measurements
Mark Williams is currently 22 years old. His zodiac sign is Saggittarius & according to the Chinese zodiac, he was born in the Snake year.
An athletic body-build with a quick smile, the NBA star has a towering height of 7 feet (2.13 m) & weighs 242 lbs (110 kg).
According to the NBA Draft combine, he has a standing reach of 9 feet 9 inches (2.97 m) & a wing span of 7 feet 6.5 inches (2.29 m).
Net Worth, Contract & Salary
A chase to basketball prominence led Mark Williams to NBA & therefore, into the millionaire’s club with his rich contracts.
As of 2024, Mark has an estimated net worth of $1-$3 Million.
On July 2, 2022, the Norfolk, Virginia-born signed a four-year rookie contract with Charlotte Hornets; the deal worth $18 million is fully guaranteed & averages an annual salary of $4.5 million.
For the 2022-23 season, Mark Williams’ base salary is $3.722 million, with the same amount of cap-hit.
In the 2023-24 season, the NBA player will earn $3.908 million.
The contract also includes club options for the 2024-25 and 2025-26 seasons, with a deadline of October 31st in the respective years.
If not offered an option after his third NBA season (2024-25), the team can sign him a rookie-extension contract for five years worth $215 million (if eligible).
Endorsement
In addition to his playing career, he also earns extra income through endorsement deals.
On October 26, 2022, Mark Williams signed a multi-year deal with Nike’s Jordan Brand, becoming the second from the rookie class after Orlando Magic’s Paolo Banchero.
The list of other NBA figures associated with the brand includes Luka Doncic, Jayson Tatum, and Zion Williamson.
Even if the exact value of the sponsorship contract is not out, it could be somewhere in the six or seven-digit figures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mark Williams also a snooker player
No, Mark Williams, who we are talking about, is not a snooker player. The professional basketball player in the NBA should not be confused with Mark James Williams, a professional snooker player. Mark James Williams is a Welsh professional snooker player and three-time World Champion known for his exceptional long-potting ability. He goes by the nickname “The Welsh Potting Machine.”
What jersey number is Mark Wiliams?
Mark Williams wears number #5 for the Charlotte Hornets.
Is Mark Williams Nigerian?
The Hornets player is an American by nationality and is of Nigerian descent. His parents, Dr. Alex Williams & Margaret, are Nigerian who lived in England before migrating to the United States.
Did Williams play in the NBA-G league?
Yes, Mark Williams played for the G-league affiliate of the Hornets, Greensboro Swarm. On December 22, 2022, in the 109-90 win over Ignite in the G League Winter Showcase, he made 29 points, 17 rebounds, one assist & one steal.
