Gus Williams, the two-time NBA All-Star who led the Seattle SuperSonics to their only NBA championship, has died at the age of 71. According to The Seattle Times, his cause of death was not immediately known, but he had been living in a care facility in Baltimore at the time of his death. Williams suffered a debilitating stroke nearly five years ago and his body “simply broke down” in the days leading up to his death, according to his brother.
Williams was drafted by the Golden State Warriors in the second round of the 1975 NBA Draft and went on to earn NBA All-Rookie Team honors that year. He played two seasons with the Warriors before signing with the Sonics in 1977, where he became one of the most dynamic guards of his time. In 1979, Williams led the Sonics to their only championship title, averaging a team-high of 26.7 points during the playoffs.
A two-time NBA All-Star, Williams sat out the 1980 season due to a contract dispute, but returned the following season to finish fifth in MVP voting and win NBA Comeback Player of the Year. His jersey was retired by the Sonics in 2004 and he is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in team history.
The NBA community has mourned the loss of Williams on social media, remembering his impressive career and the impact he had on the game. Williams is survived by his family and will be buried in his hometown of Mount Vernon, New York.
