Former Alabama point guard Mo Williams was selected by the Utah Jazz with the No. 47 overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft. Not long after, Williams became a consistent double-digit scorer in the NBA, averaging as many as 17.8 points per game with the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 2008-09 season, Williams' first and only All-Star campaign. From age 30 onward, Williams played for five different teams in a span of four seasons, one of those being the Charlotte Hornets.

In exchange for Gary Neal and a second-round pick, the Hornets acquired Williams and Troy Daniels from the Minnesota Timberwolves during the 2014-15 season. In 27 contests after the trade, Williams averaged 17.2 points, six assists, 2.8 rebounds and 0.6 steals. The following season was Williams' last, as the 13-year veteran returned to Cleveland and won his first career championship. In 818 games throughout his career, Williams averaged 13.2 points, 4.9 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 0.9 steals.