Inanunsyo ni dating PBA Most Valuable Player Kelly Williams na magreretiro na ito sa PBA makalipas ang 14 season.
“It is with gladness & sadness that I announce my retirement from basketball,” pahayag ni Williams sa kanyang official Twitter page. “I could not have predicted that I’d have the kind of career I was able to experience.”
“Thank you Philippines for giving me solid ground to grow as both a player & a man for the last 15 years,” dagdag nito.
Noong 2006 PBA Draft nang mapili si Williams bilang top overall pick ng Sta. Lucia Realtors.
Sa kanyang pananatili sa nasabing franchise, itinanghal ito bilang Best Player of the Conference at pinangalanang MVP noong 2008, na taon din kung kailan nagbulsa ang Sta. Lucia ng kampeonato.
Matapos ang pakikibaka nito sa health issues, nagtawid bakod ito sa TNT francise kung saan limang karagdagang kampeonato ang kanyang ibinulsa.
Si Williams ay may limang PBA All-Star selections, tatlong PBA Mythical First Team at apat na Mythical Second Team selections, at isang All-Defensive Team.
Noong 2007 ay itinanghal itong Rookie of the Year at dalawang beses na nagwagi bilang PBA Comeback Player of the Year ng PBA Press Corps noong 2010 at 2017.
Naghari rin ito sa PBA Slam Dunk Contest noong 2008 at 2011.
Isinuot din ni Williams ang national tricolors sa ilang mga kompetisyon sa labas ng bansa.
“To [basketball], thank you for being a safe haven to a young lost kid & bringing meaning to my life EVERY YEAR since 1991. Forever grateful,” ani Williams.
“I turn the final page of this chapter, staring into the unknown, & I fear not. I did the best I could with what I had, now I can lay my career to rest with peace in my heart. Now I can be nearer to my sons. The Machine Gun signing off. 21 gun salute.”
