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Michael Carter-Williams is off to a great start in his second sporting career. 

The 2014 NBA Rookie of the Year took down Sam Khatib in his amateur boxing debut on Thursday via unanimous decision in a three-round heavyweight contest at the Broad Street Brawl in New

York. 

The fight was part of a fundraiser for Bigvision Community, a non-profit organization that helps young adults recover from substance abuse.

During an appearance on “The Ariel Helwani Show,” Carter-Williams, 33, said boxing was a way to get back into competitive sport. 

“I think it’s just to scratch that itch,” Carter-Williams said. “I’ve been competing my whole life, and that’s something I want to do. I want to continue to compete. I respect the sport. I’m

a big fan. I watch a lot. I’ve got a lot of friends that fight.”

Carter-Williams last played in the NBA during the 2022-23 season for the Magic, appearing in four games. 

After being drafted No. 11 overall in the 2013 NBA Draft by the 76ers, Carter-Williams played nine seasons in the league for six different teams.

The Syracuse product had an excellent rookie season in 13-14, but his career quickly went downhill from there, playing his last game in the league at just 31 years old.

After basketball, Carter-Williams said he’s taking his boxing career day by day for now. 

“I don’t know where it’s going to take me or where it’s going to lead me,” Carter-Williams said on the podcast with Helwani. “I know that there’s an avenue for people, who played

professional sports, who enter the boxing ring. There’s a lane there. I don’t know, I’m kind of taking it one step at a time.