Former Rainier Beach star Terrence Williams drafted by New Jersey Nets.

If Louisville guard Terrence Williams looked relaxed while sitting with family and friends at a table on the Madison Square Garden floor before Thursday's NBA draft, it's because he had a good idea how his night was going to unfold.

Most draft analysts predicted the Louisville guard would be a late lottery pick or fall into the latter stages of the first round. Williams, however, had a clearer forecast of his future.

According to league sources, Charlotte Bobcats part-owner Michael Jordan promised Williams the team would select him with its 12th pick, but Jordan didn't know how much the New Jersey Nets had fallen in love with the former Rainier Beach star after he worked out for them last week.

Charlotte considered trading up to No. 10 to nab Williams, but rolled the dice hoping he'd slip past New Jersey. After trading eight-time All-Star Vince Carter earlier in the day to Orlando, the Nets used their 11th pick in the first round to select Williams, who will likely replace Carter.

"He was pretty excited, but I don't think he was nervous because we were told what was happening every step of the way," Rainier Beach boys basketball coach Mike Bethea said in a telephone interview. "So he was basically just enjoying himself."

Williams averaged 12.5 points, 8.6 rebounds and 5 assists in 37 games last season, leading Louisville to the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA tournament and an Elite Eight appearance. He also led the Cardinals with 2.3 steals per game.

The 6-foot-6, 213-pound Williams joins a lineup that includes All-Star point guard Devin Harris, forwards Yi Jianlian, Bobby Simmons and center Brook Lopez. Rafer Alston, Courtney Lee and Tony Battie, acquired in the deal with Orlando, are the other newcomers.

After missing the playoffs with a 34-48 record last season and finishing third in the Atlantic Division, the Nets are rebuilding with an eye toward 2010, when a star-studded class of free agents is expected to hit the market.

"I feel that I'm in a great market with New Jersey," Williams told ESPN while wearing a dark gray suit, black shirt and tie and Nets baseball cap. "I feel that I learned great under coach [Rick] Pitino, and I can learn great in New Jersey and go from there."

Williams was one of six players to work out for the Nets last Friday. The workout was the last of 13 for Williams, who impressed the organization with his versatility.

"We see Terrence as an all-around player," Nets president Rod Thorn told ESPN. "He's a great passer. Tremendous athlete. He can play multiple positions. He's a very strong player we feel can play a lot of different lineups and can play very, very well. We're very high on him."

Williams, who helped Rainier Beach win the 2003 Class 3A state title, is the latest Vikings player taken in the first round, following Doug Christie, Jamal Crawford and Nate Robinson.

"Those are the guys who drove Terrence," Bethea said. "It's one thing to hear it from me all the time, but when you've got people like Jamal and Nate in your corner saying you can get it done if you do the right things ... Those are the things that really drove him and gave him the confidence to know that he can make it."

Percy Allen: 206-464-2278 or pallen@seattletimes.com