Mark Williams and his failed transfer to the Los Angeles Lakers raised a lot of questions about him. Is he injury-prone? Did he simply not measure up to the Lakers’ expectations of him? Well, whatever the case was, the Lakers missed out on adding an incredible talent to their roster.

Williams is an incredibly skilled big man who can be a threat in all areas of the court. So if you’re among those who are curious about the Charlotte Hornets star’s background and roots, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!

Where is Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams from? What’s his nationality?

Mark Oluwafemi Williams was born to Margaret and Dr. Alex Williams in Norfolk, Virginia. His father Alex, is a physician who specializes in gastroenterology. Williams’ two older sisters, Victoria and Elizabeth Williams round out his family.  Mark and his sisters grew up where they were born, in the city of Norfolk.

Mark’s parents are both ethnic Nigerians and by extension, so is Mark Williams. However, since he was born on US soil, Mark Williams is a true, red-blooded American. Speaking of being an American, did you know that his sister Elizabeth is also a basketball player and that she represented the US on an international level?

It’s no wonder that Mark decided to follow in her footsteps and become a hooper himself. But when did Mark realize his dream of playing in the NBA? Let us tell you.

When was Mark Williams drafted in the NBA?

A 5-star recruit in high school, there was no dearth of offers once Mark Williams graduated. However, he chose to take his talents to Duke, choosing to play for the Blue Devils over offers from Michigan, UCLA, and the like. Following two incredibly successful seasons at Duke, Mark Williams chose to forgo the remaining two years of college eligibility to declare for the 2022 NBA Draft.

The Charlotte Hornets selected him in the first round of the Draft with the 15th overall pick. And they would soon need to call upon his services after their starting center, Mason Plumlee, was traded. Williams delivered in spades in his first career start in the NBA with a double-double. The Hornets’ big man registered 11 points and 12 rebounds against the Boston Celtics, albeit in a losing effort.

Later that month, he’d log a career-high 18 points and career-high 20 rebounds in the Hornets’ 108-103 win over the Miami Heat. He’d outdo himself a couple of months later by scoring 22 points against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Hornets would win that game 106-95.

All in all, Mark Williams averaged 9.0 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks in 43 games for the Charlotte Hornets during his rookie season. Not bad at all! But now that he’s back with the Hornets after the Lakers debacle, he’ll want to show the Lakers what they missed out on by leveling up his game even further in the coming years.