On January 15, 2025, the basketball world mourned the loss of Gus Williams, affectionately known as “The Wizard,” who passed away at 71. A two-time NBA All-Star, Williams played a pivotal role in leading the Seattle SuperSonics to their only NBA championship in 1979, dazzling fans with his exceptional skills on the court.
Williams spent his later years in a care facility in Baltimore, Maryland, after suffering a stroke in February 2020. His medical struggles led to the launch of the Sonics Legends Fund, established to aid former SuperSonics players, including Williams and his colleague Slick Watts, with their medical costs.
Williams was born on October 10, 1953, in Mount Vernon, New York. He first gained attention as a standout player at Mount Vernon High School before continuing his basketball journey at the University of Southern California (USC). He displayed remarkable skills at USC, earning him a second-team All-American honor in 1975.
Gus Williams showcased a unique and dynamic playing style throughout his 11-season NBA career from 1975 to 1987. Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing 175 pounds, Williams played for four teams and appeared in 825 regular-season games. He averaged 17.1 points, 5.6 assists, and 2.7 rebounds per game, solidifying his reputation as one of the premier guards of his era.
Williams’ playoff performances were awe-inspiring, averaging 19.5 points per game in the postseason. It ranks as the second-highest average among retired players with at least 90 playoff games who have not been inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.
Williams started his professional career with the Golden State Warriors in 1975, when the then-defending champions selected him 20th overall. As a rookie, he made an instant impact with an average of 11.7 points per game, earning him a place on the NBA All-Rookie First Team and second place in Rookie of the Year voting behind Alvan Adams.
In 1977, after two seasons with the Warriors, Williams joined the SuperSonics, forming a dominant backcourt with Dennis Johnson. He was instrumental in the Sonics’ 1979 championship win against the Washington Bullets, leading the team in scoring with an average of 29 points per game and a 50% field goal percentage.
Williams built on his success 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. He signed a five-year, $3 million contract in June 1981 despite claiming his holdout was about more than money. Without Williams, the Sonics posted a 34-48 record that season.
When Williams returned for the 1981-82 season, he achieved career-best figures with an average of 23.4 points per game. This outstanding 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 seven seasons with the SuperSonics, Williams was traded to the Washington Bullets. He spent two years with the Bullets and ended his career with the Atlanta Hawks in the 1986-87 season. The SuperSonics honored Williams’ contributions by retiring his No. 1 jersey in 2004, and USC followed suit by retiring his No. 10 jersey in 2016.