Gus Williams (basketball) facts for kids
Williams in 1981
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| No. 1 | |
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| Point guard | |
| Personal information | |
| Born | October 10, 1953 Mount Vernon, New York, U.S. |
| Died | January 15, 2025 (aged 71) |
| 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 | |
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| Career statistics | |
| Points | 14,093 (17.1 ppg) |
| Assists | 4,597 (5.6 apg) |
| Steals | 1,638 (2.0 spg) |
Gus Williams (born October 10, 1953 – died January 15, 2025) was an American professional basketball player. He played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for many years. People called him "the Wizard" because of his amazing skills. Gus Williams was a two-time NBA All-Star and helped the Seattle SuperSonics win an NBA championship in 1979. He also played for the Golden State Warriors, Washington Bullets, and Atlanta Hawks.
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Early Life and College Basketball
Gus Williams started his basketball journey in high school. He played at Mount Vernon High in New York. In 1971, he was named the player of the year for his state.
After high school, Gus went on to play college basketball. He attended the University of Southern California. He showed great talent during his college years.
Professional Basketball Career
Gus Williams was chosen in the 1975 NBA draft by the Golden State Warriors. He joined the Warriors for the 1975–76 season. In his very first year, he was named to the NBA All-Rookie Team. This means he was one of the best new players in the league.
After two seasons with the Warriors, Gus moved to the Seattle SuperSonics in 1977. This is where he really shined!
Becoming "The Wizard"
With the Seattle SuperSonics, Gus Williams became a true star. His unique style of play earned him the nickname "the Wizard." 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.
Gus led the Sonics to their first and only NBA championship in 1979. He was the top scorer for his team in the Finals, averaging 28.6 points per game.
A Strong Comeback
In 1980, Gus Williams decided to sit out a whole season because of a contract disagreement. But he came back strong in the 1981–82 season. He was named the NBA Comeback Player of the Year. He finished seventh in the league for scoring, averaging 23.4 points per game.
He played three more seasons with the Sonics. In 1984, he was traded to the Washington Bullets. He finished his career with the Atlanta Hawks in 1987. Over his 12-year career, he averaged 17.1 points per game.
Honors and Legacy
Gus Williams' jersey number 1 was retired by the Seattle SuperSonics in 2004. This means no other player on the team can wear that number. It's a huge honor! In 2016, his number 10 jersey was also retired by his college team, USC.
Gus Williams had a younger brother named Ray, who also played in the NBA.
Personal Life
Gus Williams faced health challenges later in his life. He had a stroke in February 2020. He passed away on January 15, 2025, at the age of 71.
See also
- List of National Basketball Association career steals leaders
- List of National Basketball Association career playoff 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
