Brad Penner-Imagn Images
After being selected with the 11th overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers, Michael Carter-Williams would go on average 16.7 points per game in his rookie season en route to winning the 2014 Rookie of the Year award. Little did anyone know at the time that a little over a decade later he would be duking it out in a boxing ring.
Unfortunately, that would be the best season of MCW’s nine-year NBA career. He still averaged more than 11 points per game in three more seasons before becoming a journeyman, playing for the Milwaukee Bucks, Chicago Bulls, Charlotte Hornets, Houston Rockets and Orlando Magic. In his 10th and final year as a pro, Michael Carter-Williams played for the Mexico City Capitanes before retiring.
In retirement, Michael Carter-Williams has worked for ESPN as a men’s college basketball studio and game analyst and for the ACC Network on the show Nothing But Net. He also has been boxing as a way to stay in shape post-NBA.
A couple of weeks ago, MCW told Ariel Helwani on his show that boxing helps him scratch a competitive itch that he has been feeling since he quit playing basketball.
“I’ve been competing my whole life, and that’s something I want to do. I want to continue to compete,” Carter-Williams said. “I respect the sport. I’m a big fan. I watch a lot. I’ve got a lot of friends that fight.”
Now, he is one of those friends that fight. Because last week the 33-year-old, 6-foot-5 former NBA star made his pro boxing debut as part of a fundraiser for the non-profit organization Bigvision Community. Not only that, he defeated his opponent, 36-year-old Sam Khativ, by decision after their three-round bout.
Michael Carter Williams dominates his opponent in New York City. #MCW #MichaelCarterWilliams pic.twitter.com/bniaPyJ6bX
— goforitradio (@goforitradiocom) May 30, 2025
“I don’t know where it’s going to take me or where it’s going to lead me,” Carter-Williams said to Helwani before the fight. “I know that there’s an avenue for people who played professional sports, who enter the boxing ring. There’s a lane there. I don’t know, I’m kind of taking it one step at a time. It’s one of those things I definitely want to keep getting better at.”