Gus Williams (basketball) facts for kids
Williams in 1981
|
|
| No. 1 | |
|---|---|
| Point guard | |
| Personal information | |
| Born | October 10, 1953 Mount Vernon, New York, U.S. |
| Died | January 15, 2025 (aged 71) Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. |
| High school | Mount Vernon (Mount Vernon, New York) |
| Listed height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Listed weight | 175 lb (79 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College | USC (1972–1975) |
| NBA Draft | 1975 / Round: 2 / Pick: 20th overall |
| Selected by the Golden State Warriors | |
| Pro career | 1975–1987 |
| Career history | |
| 1975–1977 | Golden State Warriors |
| 1977–1984 | Seattle SuperSonics |
| 1984–1986 | Washington Bullets |
| 1987 | Atlanta Hawks |
| Career highlights and awards | |
|
|
| Career statistics | |
| Points | 14,093 (17.1 ppg) |
| Assists | 4,597 (5.6 apg) |
| Steals | 1,638 (2.0 spg) |
Gus Williams (October 10, 1953 – January 15, 2025) was an American professional basketball player. He played in the National Basketball Association (NBA). People called him "The Wizard" because of his amazing playing style. He was a two-time NBA All-Star and helped the Seattle SuperSonics win an NBA championship in 1979.
Williams played college basketball for the USC Trojans. The Golden State Warriors picked him in the second round of the 1975 NBA draft. He also played for the Washington Bullets and Atlanta Hawks during his career.
| Top - 0-9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z |
Early Life and College
Gus Williams was born in Mount Vernon, New York. He played high school basketball at Mount Vernon High. In 1971, he was named player of the year by the New York State Sportswriters Association.
He then went on to play college basketball at the University of Southern California. In 1975, he was the top scorer in the Pac-8 conference. He was also named an All-American that year, which means he was one of the best college players in the country.
Professional Basketball Career
Gus Williams started his professional journey in 1975. The Golden State Warriors chose him in the NBA draft. He also got picked by another league, the American Basketball Association.
Starting with the Warriors
Williams decided to join the Warriors for the 1975–76 season. In his very first year, he was named to the NBA All-Rookie Team. This team honors the best new players in the league. He played two seasons with the Warriors.
Becoming a SuperSonic Star
After his time with the Warriors, Williams joined the Seattle SuperSonics in 1977. There, he teamed up with another great player, Dennis Johnson. They formed a powerful duo in the backcourt. Together, they helped the SuperSonics reach the NBA Finals two years in a row.
While playing for Seattle, Gus Williams became a true star. He was chosen for the NBA All-Star Game twice. He was also named to the All-NBA First Team in 1982 and the All-NBA Second Team in 1980. His unique way of playing earned him the nickname "The Wizard." In 1979, he led the Sonics to their first NBA championship. He scored the most points for his team in the 1979 NBA Finals, averaging 28.6 points per game.
A Break and a Big Comeback
In 1980, Williams decided to sit out the 1980–81 season. He had a disagreement about his contract. But he returned for the 1981–82 season. He had an amazing comeback and was named the NBA Comeback Player of the Year. He scored a career-high 23.4 points per game that season.
He played two more seasons with the Sonics. In 1984, he was traded to the Washington Bullets. He played alongside another player named Guy Williams during the 1984–85 season.
End of a Great Career
Gus Williams finished his NBA career in 1987. He played for 12 years and averaged 17.1 points per game. In 2004, the Seattle SuperSonics honored him by retiring his No. 1 jersey. This means no other player on the team can wear that number. In 2016, his college, USC, also retired his No. 10 jersey.
Gus Williams had a younger brother, Ray, who also played in the NBA.
Personal Life
Gus Williams had a stroke in February 2020. He later moved to a care facility in the Baltimore area. He passed away on January 15, 2025, at the age of 71.
See also
In Spanish: Gus Williams para niños
- List of National Basketball Association career steals leaders
- List of National Basketball Association players with most steals in a game
- List of National Basketball Association players with most assists in a game
