Celtics rookie, Robert Williams, has artery condition in both legs


The news on Celtics rookie Robert Williams just never seems to get better. A missed conference call - a missed flight and resulting absence at the first Summer League practice - a knee injury in his first Summer League game - and now reports of a vascular disease affecting both legs.

I have to keep telling myself that, in the end, everything will work out fine with this kid. The Celtics front office apparently knew about the popliteal artery entrapment syndrome (PAES) that is affecting Robert prior to drafting him with the 27th pick in the recent NBA draft.

Here is more information on Robert and PAES via MassLive's Fred Katz:

Popliteal artery entrapment syndrome (PAES), the vascular disease Williams has been dealing with, is found most often in athletes. Because of where the muscles and tendons around Williams' knee are positioned, they end up compressing the "popliteal artery," the main one behind the knee, restricting blood flow to the lower leg. It can lead to cramping and calf pain during exercise, per Johns Hopkins Medicine.


Apparently, Williams has been playing basketball for years with this condition, and hopefully that will continue. A procedure may be necessary sometime in the future if the condition worsens, but right now it does not seem to hinder his performance.

Hey look - this young man was taken at the #27 spot in the first round, and we all knew there were issues with him (although this is a new one to most of us). The 27th pick doesn't normally end up being a future superstar, but Robert has the size and talent to be a star in this League if everything works itself out. That is why Danny Ainge took a chance on him. He ended up in the right hands landing with Boston. If any group can set him straight, mentally and physically, it is Brad Stevens and his crew. We can just hope that the next bit of news on Williams will be on a positive note.

Follow Tom at @TomLaneHC

Photo via Gary Broome/AP Photo
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