Robert Williams reportedly has an artery condition in his legs
The Celtics were aware of the condition prior to selecting Williams with the 27th overall pick, according to the report.
Celtics draft pick Robert Williams has popliteal artery entrapment syndrome (PAES) in both of his legs, MassLive’s Fred Katz reported Monday night citing multiple sources.
PAES is a rare vascular disease in which the positioning of one’s muscles and tendons causes compression of the main artery that runs through the knee. It is most often found in male athletes under the age of 30. According to the Cleveland Clinic, patients with PAES typically suffer from “aching pain, numbness, and tiredness or cramping in the calf when they exercise,” but the symptoms are typically alleviated after three to five minutes of rest.
Katz reported Williams has been playing with PAES “for years” and that a source said his condition was “not too serious.” According to Katz, the Celtics were aware of the condition prior to selecting Williams with the 27th overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. Texas A&M, where Williams played two seasons of college basketball, was also reportedly aware.
Williams has missed back-to-back summer league games due to an injured right knee. He banged knees with an opposing player late in the first half of his debut Friday and later revealed his bumped knee is also suffering tendinitis.
The Celtics have not ruled him out for the remainder of summer league.
