Before entering the NBA world as one of the best executives, Pat Williams was a minor league catcher and played for the Wake Forest Deacons in college. After a stint in the minor leagues Pat Williams became the business manager for the Miami Marlins then a general manager for the Phillies minor league team. 

In 1968 Williams broke into the basketball industry by becoming the business manager of the Philadelphia 76ers. The following season he would move on to the general manager role with the struggling Chicago Bulls, Williams was able to improve the roster and introduced the famous Benny the Bull. After spending the 1973-1974 season with the Atlanta Hawks, Williams returned to the 76ers and remained there for the next 12 seasons. His efforts would would help bring a championship to Philadelphia in 1983. 

Pat Williams would part ways with the 76ers after the 1986 season in order to assist in bringing an expansion team to Orlando. The Orlando Magic would debit in 1989 with Williams as an investor and the general manager. He is responsible for drafting hall of famer Sahquille O'Neal and building a Magic team made the 1995 NBA Finals. Pat Williams announced his retirement in 2019, bringing his 51 year NBA career to an end.