Grant Williams hasn’t seen much action on the court this season, but that hasn’t stopped him from making headlines in Charlotte. The 27-year-old forward, who arrived from the Dallas Mavericks in 2024, was expected to be a key piece for the Hornets. Instead, a season-ending torn ACL and meniscus injury limited him to just one game - a brief appearance where he logged nine points and eight rebounds, while shooting 30% from deep.
Still, Williams has managed to stay in the spotlight, albeit in a very different way. Recently, popular streamer Valkyrae shared that Williams personally invited her to attend a game against the Los Angeles Lakers.
“Grant was benched a lot, but every time he was on the court, we were rooting for him,” she said. “They lost, but it’s okay - we met him afterwards, took photos, and I posted it to my story.
It was awesome.” She added that he invited her to the Lakers game on Thursday, sparking a wave of online buzz that blended NBA fandom with pop culture crossover.
It’s the kind of moment that reminds us just how much the NBA lives beyond the hardwood. Whether it’s a buzzer-beater or a courtside celebrity cameo, fans are always watching - and talking. And in Charlotte, where frustrations have been simmering (including a recent protest directed at head coach Charles Lee), even off-court moments like this can stir the pot and reignite fan energy.
But Grant Williams’ impact goes deeper than a viral moment. Around the holidays, he continued a personal tradition that speaks volumes about the kind of teammate - and person - he is.
Williams has long made it a point to show appreciation to everyone in the organization, not just the players and coaches. This year, he gifted Beats by Dre Pill speakers to 410 employees across the Hornets and their G League affiliate, the Greensboro Swarm.
That’s everyone from front office staff to security and operations workers - the people who help keep the wheels turning behind the scenes.
“I remember there were three or four suggestions,” Williams explained. “And then I was talking to one of my good friends, and she was like, ‘Hey, have you thought about speakers?’”
He had considered headphones in the past - AirPods, Beats, even JBLs - but as a rookie, the cost was a little out of reach. “This year, when it became a little bit more apparent, I was like, ‘Ok, it’s possible then.’”
It’s a gesture that might not show up in a box score, but it says a lot about the culture Williams is trying to help build. Even while sidelined, he’s finding ways to lead - through gratitude, through connection, and through a genuine understanding of what makes a team more than just the five guys on the floor.
As the Hornets prepare to face the Lakers, the focus will shift back to the court. But Williams, even in street clothes, continues to be a presence.
Whether it’s rallying support from fans, showing love to the staff behind the scenes, or simply staying involved despite a tough injury setback, he’s proving that leadership doesn’t always require a stat line. Sometimes, it just requires showing up - and showing you care.