Gus Williams dies at 71: NBA world mourns as two-time All-Star passes away | NBA news

Gus Williams. Image via: NBA

The NBA community is mourning the sudden loss of Gus Williams. The legendary one Seattle SuperSonics guard who led the team to its first championship in 1979 is no more. Williams, 71, died after a decline in health that had required assisted living in recent years. His family, including his daughter, were by his side in his final moments. The news has left fans heartbroken, with tributes to one player.

Former NBA champion Gus Williams dies at age 71

Former NBA star Gus Williams died Wednesday at the age of 71, nearly five years after suffering a stroke.

He played a major role in securing the Seattle SuperSonics’ only NBA championship in 1979. Williams developed from a second-round pick into one of the league’s top players at the time. His career ended with Atlanta Hawks.
Williams was a two-time NBA All-Star and earned an All-NBA First Team selection in 1982. Williams also made headlines when he clashed with SuperSonics management over a contract dispute. The dispute caused him to sit out the entire 1980-81 season.
His absence was a major blow to the team as the Sonics went from 56 wins in 1979-80 to just 34 the following year. Williams returned in the 1981-82 season and posted a career-best 23.4 points per game. match. His performance earned him fifth place in the MVP voting and the prestigious Comeback Player of the Year award. With Williams back on the team, the Sonics secured 48 wins.
At the time of his passing, Williams was living in a nursing facility in Baltimore. Although the cause of death is not immediately known, he had suffered a major stroke in February 2020. According to his brother, David Williams, Gus’s health deteriorated rapidly in the last days of his life.
His last public appearances in Seattle were in 2017 at the WNBA All-Star Game and in 2019 during the Mariners’ tribute to the SuperSonics on the 40th anniversary of their 1979 NBA title victory.

Fans mourn Gus Williams’ death

The Seattle Supersonics paid tribute to Williams in a heartfelt post on X, “We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Supersonics great Gus “The Wizard” Williams. Forever a legend + champion.” Following the news of his tragic passing, fans immediately took to social media to react to the devastating loss of the former NBA star.
One fan wrote that he was his favorite Sonic.

Another mourned the passing of the legend.

One fan revealed that the news of his death was heartbreaking.

Former NBA star Eldridge Recasner also reacted to Williams’ death.