CHICAGO, 25 June 2003 — Jay Williams, who suffered a broken pelvis and knee injuries in a motorcycle crash last week, will likely miss the entire 2003-2004 season, the Chicago Bulls admitted on Monday.

The injures to Williams are so severe that the team may be able to get a salary cap exemption for this coming season. However, the Bulls would not comment further on the injury or his prognosis for long-term rehabilitation, citing federal privacy laws.

Williams, the No. 2 pick in the 2002 NBA Draft, remains in intensive care at Advocate Illinois Masonic Hospital and is expected to need more surgery.

The 21-year-old was riding a new sports bike he had purchased a week earlier on Thursday afternoon. It slammed into a pole on Chicago’s north side and Williams sustained extensive injuries to his left leg, undergoing surgery that night.

“When we think about him we think in terms of this young man who is 21 that made a mistake in terms of judgment, but that’s not the issue,” Bulls general manager John Paxson said.

“The issue is him getting better and that’s all we’re focused on as an organization.”

Williams had a somewhat disappointing regular season last year and was the subject of trade rumors, as the Bulls also have Jamal Crawford at point guard. The NBA Draft is on Thursday and due to his injury, there will obviously be no trade at this time.

Hornets Hire Kolff

as Assistant Coach

In New Orleans, Jan van Breda Kolff, dismissed from St. Bonaventure after a player eligibility scandal abruptly ended the team’s season, is back coaching — this time in the NBA. Van Breda Kolff was hired as an assistant with the New Orleans Hornets on Monday, joining the staff of new head coach Tim Floyd.

Van Breda Kolff was fired from St. Bonaventure last season following a players’ boycott of the Bonnies’ final two games after center Jamil Terrell was ruled ineligible. The Bonnies were stripped of six Atlantic 10 Conference victories and barred from postseason play. St. Bonaventure’s president and athletic director both resigned.

On Monday, van Breda Kolff called the St. Bonaventure case “ancient history.”