Jason Williams retires from NBA

MEMPHIS, April 19 (UPI) -- Memphis Grizzlies guard Jason Williams, who holds the franchise assists record, has retired again, now with 12 NBA seasons under his belt, the team said.

Williams, 35, who announced his retirement on the club's Web site Monday, averaged 2.0 points, 1.1 rebounds and 1.9 assists while averaging 10.9 minutes in 27 games this season with the Grizzlies and Orlando.

The Belle, W.Va., native had retired in September 2008 but then signed with the Magic a year later. Orlando waived him and he returned for a second stint with Memphis Feb. 7. He missed the final 17 games of the regular season with a sore back.

For his career, he averaged 10.5 points, 2.3 rebounds and 5.9 assists in 788 games (667 starts) with Sacramento, Memphis, Miami and Orlando.

Williams is the Grizzlies' all-time assists leader with 2,069 and is in the team's Top 10 all-time in several other categories.

He helped Miami win the 2006 NBA championship.