Jerome Williams spent 10 seasons in the NBA and played mostly for the Raptors and Pistons.
Known for his relentless energy and determination on the court, Jerome “Junkyard Dog” Williams is at it again — as an author.
A former 10-year NBA veteran and fan-favorite during his playing days, Williams is releasing a new motivational book: “R.O.L.E. Player: Passing on the Wisdom.” In it, he shares life lessons and strategies for success, encouraging readers to maximize their opportunities in life by embracing what he calls the “Junkyard Dog Mentality.”
In a recent interview, Williams reflected on the core message of his book, which is available for purchase now.
“It’s about taking on that role-player mentality every day,” he said. “Just like people talk about the Mamba Mentality, I’ve got the JYD mentality — and it’s all about energy-generating behaviors, being a [R]elentless [O]pportunist, and [L]everaging [E]verything you know to push forward.”
Williams’ journey to the NBA was anything but conventional. Despite being a standout player in junior college, averaging 26 points and 17 rebounds per game, Williams made a pivotal decision when transferring to Georgetown University.
Rather than seeking the spotlight as a primary scorer, he chose to play a supporting role alongside future Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer Allen Iverson at Georgetown.
“I asked myself, how can I enhance what Allen Iverson is able to do on the court? That’s where I found my strength, dominating in areas that others didn’t focus on,” Williams said. “I led the Big East in rebounding while Allen led in steals. It wasn’t sexy, but Georgetown needed those rebounds to win.”
This ability to thrive in unsung roles became the foundation of Williams’ NBA career and beyond, serving as a metaphor for life’s success in his book. As the President of JYD Project’s Shooting for Peace Initiative and a global ambassador for the NBA, Williams said he designed the book to spark a larger conversation about the important role players in each person’s life and the helpful role they can play.
“Every successful organization needs role players,” Williams said. “Everyone looks at the top — the CEO, the franchise player — but it’s the people in supporting roles who make the entire system work. The mission for every company is to win, so they seek like-minded individuals who share the same vision and goal, embodying that winning mindset.
“By focusing on mission, method, and measurements, anyone can find success and move up the ladder.”
Williams said a unique aspect of “R.O.L.E. Player” is its integration of digital innovation. The book cover features a “Yocode,” which is an advanced form of QR technology that connects readers to an exclusive online community Williams calls the “Digital Dog Pound.”
This interactive platform offers readers access to exclusive content, including insights from Hall of Famers, role player tendencies, and behind-the-scenes stories.
“I wanted something different for this book,” Williams said. “Not just a regular book, but something that lets readers get inside the ‘Dog Pound.’ With the Yocode, they can scan the cover and instantly connect to a digital space where I’m sharing content and insights daily.”
Williams says he attributes much of his success to lessons learned from his family, particularly his grandmother, Fannie Emmert.
“My grandmother taught me the power of humility and positivity,” he said. “She treated everyone with respect and kindness, and that stayed with me throughout my career.”
In “R.O.L.E. Player,” Williams says he hopes to challenge readers to adopt a mindset of humility and service of their favorite role player, and the qualities they believe are key to excelling in their role.
“It’s not always about being the star,” Williams said. “Sometimes the game-winning play is a box-out or diving for a loose ball. It’s those little things that often go unnoticed but make all the difference.”