NBA veteran Gus Williams, affectionately known as “The Wizard” for his remarkable playmaking skills, has passed away at the age of 71. The guard, who led the Seattle SuperSonics to their only NBA championship in 1979, died on January 15, 2025.
Williams experienced a stroke in February 2020 and was residing in a care facility in the Baltimore, Maryland area. His health struggles led to the establishment of the Sonics Legends Fund, designed to assist ex-SuperSonics players like Williams and Slick Watts with their medical expenses.
Born in Mount Vernon, New York, on October 10, 1953, Williams started his basketball journey at Mount Vernon High School before attending the University of Southern California. His exceptional skills at USC earned him the title of a second-team All-American in 1975.
With his unique, fluid style, Williams had an impressive 11-season NBA career from 1975 to 1987. He played for four teams and participated in 825 regular-season games. Standing at 6 feet 2 inches and weighing 175 pounds, he averaged 17.1 points, 5.6 assists, and 2.7 rebounds per game, establishing himself as a top guard of his era.
Williams also shone in the playoffs. Averaging 19.5 points per game during the postseason, his score is the second highest among retired players who have not been inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame, having played a minimum of 90 games.
The Golden State Warriors, the reigning champions at the time, selected Williams 20th overall in 1975. He had an immediate impact, averaging 11.7 points per game as a rookie and earning a spot on the NBA All-Rookie First Team.
In 1977, after two seasons with Golden State, Williams joined the SuperSonics. Alongside Dennis Johnson, he formed one of the NBA’s most powerful backcourts. His performance in the NBA Finals was exceptional, he led the Sonics to victory against the Washington Bullets in the 1979 championship, averaging 29 points per game.
Williams further improved his game in the subsequent season, averaging 22.1 points and ranking eighth in MVP voting. However, a contract dispute led to him sitting out the entire 1980-81 season. Despite the controversy, he eventually signed a landmark five-year, $3 million contract in June 1981. The Sonics struggled in his absence, recording a 34-48 finish.
He returned in the 1981-82 season, posting a career-best of 23.4 points per game. This performance earned him his first All-Star selection, the NBA Comeback Player of the Year award, and his only First-Team All-NBA selection. He made another All-Star appearance in 1983.
After a seven-year stint in Seattle, Williams was traded to the Washington Bullets. He played there for two years before ending his career with the Atlanta Hawks in the 1986-87 season. In recognition of his contributions, the Sonics retired his No. 1 jersey in 2004, while USC retired his No. 10 jersey in 2016.
