Jay Williams Took Shots From Kenny Smith and Richard Jefferson During the NBA Draft and Fans Noticed

Twenty-four years after the Chicago Bulls made him the No. 2 pick in the 2002 NBA Draft, Jay Williams sat on an ESPN set watching a replay of that moment. And instead of a sentimental beat, he got roasted by the guys sitting next to him.

Richard Jefferson and Kenny Smith both took turns poking fun at Williams during Monday’s 2026 NBA Draft broadcast. The network played a clip of Williams getting drafted out of Duke, and Jefferson leaned in.

“They (fans) also didn’t see the future coming, so they were cheering preemptively. Sorry, I apologize,” Jefferson said.

Williams responded with a simple “Wow.”

Smith gave Williams credit for his college career — national title, National Player of the Year, all that — then immediately undercut it.

“The guy was an unbelievable talent. His career trajectory would’ve been a lot different if he didn’t like motorcycles,” Smith said.

Jefferson didn’t stop there. “I guess everybody that goes to Duke isn’t that smart,” he added.

The moment was caught on video and spread fast online. Williams mostly sat through it with a nervous laugh, which isn’t shocking — he’s been in broadcasting for almost two decades now, and there’s a certain code among TV analysts. But some fans watching at home didn’t love the jokes.

To be fair, Williams’ story is one of the more painful what-ifs in recent NBA history. He averaged 10.5 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.1 steals as a rookie and made the All-Rookie Second Team. In 2003 he crashed his motorcycle, suffered major injuries and never fully recovered. He tried multiple comebacks. No team took the chance.

The guy went from being the face of Duke basketball to a one-year NBA career that ended before it really started. For a lot of people, seeing him get ribbed about it on national TV felt rough — even if the intent was just friendly trash talk between colleagues.

Williams has been a solid analyst for ESPN since 2008. He’s earned the respect of the basketball world by building a second career out of the wreckage of the first. But Monday night was a reminder that the wreckage is still visible to everyone — including people sitting at the same table.