Duke s outstanding forward completely lost himself after joining the NBA and looked back on his career.

At the 2006 NBA Draft, Sheldon Williams, a senior striker from Duke University, was selected by the Atlanta Hawks with the fifth pick in the first round. Then the Atlanta Hawks announced that they had officially signed Sheldon Williams with a three-year, $9.52 million rookie contract, with the last year of the contract being the team option. Since then, Sheldon Williams has started his NBA career. In the 2006-2007 season, Sheldon Williams, who had just entered the league, was valued by the Hawks coaching staff and played as the team's inside substitute. In the middle of the season, he was promoted to a starting power forward by the team, and his average score reached a career-high. Sheldon Williams played 81 regular season games for the Hawks, including 31 starts, and averaged 5.5 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. The Hawks ranked third from the bottom in the East with 30 wins and 52 losses.

On April 16, 2007, the Hawks challenged the Bucks away. Sheldon Williams started for 41 minutes in the whole game, made 6 of 9 shots, and made 4 free throws and contributed 16 points, 17 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal and 1 block. Among them, 17 rebounds were Sheldon Williams' career record of rebounding in a single game. In the 2007-2008 season, due to Al Horford joining the team, Sheldon Williams once again became the team's substitute inside. His average playing time was significantly lower than last season. Sheldon Williams played 36 regular season games for the Hawks, all of which played as a substitute, and averaged 3 points and 3 rebounds per game. In the middle of the season, the Hawks management chose to trade Sheldon Williams.

On February 16, 2008, the Atlanta Hawks traded Sheldon Williams, Anthony Johnson, Tyron Lou, Lorenson Wright, and the 2008 second round pick to the Sacramento Kings, and won Mike Bibby.

After coming to the Kings, Sheldon Williams played as Brad Miller's substitute and obtained relatively stable playing time. Sheldon Williams played 28 regular season games for the Kings this season, all of which played as a substitute, averaging 5.2 points and 3.5 rebounds per game. The Kings ranked 11th in the Western Conference with 38 wins and 44 losses, and missed the playoffs. In the 2008-2009 season, Sheldon Williams still played as Brad Miller's substitute. His average playing time was down from last season. Sheldon Williams played 30 regular season games for the Kings, all of which played as a substitute, averaging 3.7 points and 2.6 rebounds per game in 10.2 minutes. In the middle of the season, the Kings' management chose to trade Sheldon Williams.

On February 20, 2009, the Sacramento Kings traded Sheldon Williams and Bobby Brown to the Minnesota Timberwolves, winning Rashad McCantz and Calvin Booth.

After coming to the Timberwolves, Sheldon Williams played as Kevin Love's substitute, but he did not get much playing time in the rebuilt Timberwolves. This season, Sheldon Williams played 15 regular season games for the Timberwolves, all of which played as a substitute, averaging 13.8 minutes per game. The Timberwolves ranked 11th in the Western Conference with 24 wins and 58 losses, and missed the playoffs.

Sheldon Williams during the Timberwolves' period On August 7, 2009, the Boston Celtics announced that they would sign Sheldon Williams with a base salary of $870,000 per year.

Although Sheldon Williams played as Kevin Garnett's second substitute in the 2009-2010 season, due to the age of the Celtics' main lineup, the Celtics coaching staff added the team's rotation lineup, so Sheldon Williams got relatively stable playing time. In that season, Sheldon Williams played 54 regular season games for the Celtics, all of which played as a substitute, averaging 11.1 minutes per game and contributed 3.7 points and 2.7 rebounds. The Celtics ranked fourth in the Eastern Conference with 50 wins and 32 losses. They defeated the Miami Heat 4-1 in the first round, defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 4-2 in the Eastern Conference semi-finals, defeated the Orlando Magic 4-2 in the Eastern Conference Finals, and lost to the Los Angeles Lakers 3-4 in the finals, and missed the championship.

Sheldon Williams during the Celtic era

On July 14, 2010, the Denver Nuggets announced that they would sign Sheldon Williams with a one-year, $915,000 contract.

Although Sheldon Williams played as the team's starting power forward, his average playing time was only eighth in the team and he did not get much shot. This season, Sheldon Williams played 42 regular season games for the Nuggets, including 32 starts, and averaged 4.7 points and 5.3 rebounds per game in 17 minutes. In the middle of the season, Sheldon Williams was traded by the team as a bargaining chip in the trade of Cameron Anthony.

Sheldon Williams during the Nuggets

On February 22, 2011, the New York Knicks, Denver Nuggets, and Minnesota Timberwolves completed a three-party transaction. The Knicks received Cameron Anthony, Chauncey Billups, Sheldon Williams, Anthony Carter, Cory Brewer, and Reynaldo Balkman; the Nuggets received Wilson Chandler, Raymond Felton, Danilo Gallinari, Timofemozgov, Costa Kufus, the 2014 Knicks first round pick, the 2012 Warriors second round pick, the 2013 Warriors second round pick, and 3 million cash; the Timberwolves received Anthony Randolph, Eddie Curry, the 2015 Nuggets second round pick, and 3 million cash.

After coming to the Knicks, Sheldon Williams played as a substitute for Amarest Toddmeier, and his average shooting percentage reached a career-high 53.8%. Sheldon Williams played 17 regular season games for the Knicks, including 6 starts, averaging 3.9 points and 2.9 rebounds per game. The Knicks ranked sixth in the Eastern Conference with 42 wins and 40 losses, and was swept out by the Boston Celtics 0-4 in the first round.

Sheldon Williams during the Knicks period

On December 12, 2011, the New Jersey Nets announced that they would sign Sheldon Williams with a one-year, $990,000 contract.

Sheldon Williams played as the team's substitute inside. At the beginning of the season, due to the season reimbursement of starting center Brooke Lopez due to injury, Sheldon Williams' average playing time and starting games increased significantly. His average playing time and rebounds per game reached the highest career. This season, Sheldon Williams played 58 regular season games for the Nets, including 35 starts, and averaged 4.6 points and 6 rebounds per game. The Nets ranked fourth from the bottom in the East with 22 wins and 44 losses. Sheldon Williams, who became a free agent in the offseason, did not receive the signing contract provided by the NBA team. He could only switch to the CBA League, the European League, etc. Since then, this inside player with solid back-to-back attack skills has completely left the NBA arena.