Deron Michael Williams (pronounced /ˈdɛrən/, dair-in) (born June 26, 1984 in Parkersburg, West Virginia) is an American professional basketball player currently with the Utah Jazz of the NBA and an Olympic gold medalist. His nickname is "D-Will." Prior to playing in the NBA, Williams played for the University of Illinois men's basketball team.

In elementary school and middle school, Williams won two state wrestling championships. In 1993, as an 8-year-old, he won the 67 lb. weight class Texas State championship. Four years later in 1997, he won the 12-year-old 116 lb. weight class championship. Williams attended The Colony High School in The Colony, Texas and averaged 17 points, 9.4 assists, and 2 steals per game as a junior in 2001. That year he led his team, the Cougars, to a 32–2 record and the Class 5A state semifinals against Bryan High. In 2002, as a senior, he averaged 17.6 points, 8.5 assists, 6.1 rebounds, and 2.6 steals per game. His team, the Cougars, went 29–2 that season, losing the 5A Texas State semifinals. Williams was a teammate of Bracey Wright who went on to play for Big Ten rival Indiana University.

Williams played college basketball at the University of Illinois beginning with the 2002–03 NCAA season. In his freshman year, he started 30 of 32 games and ranked third in the Big Ten Conference in assists with 4.53 per game. As a sophomore, Williams improved his scoring average from 6.3 to 14.0 points per game (led team) and improved his assists per game to 6.17. Williams was a First-Team All-Big Ten selection by both the coaches and media.