NBA great Gus Williams, who led Sonics to lone championship, dead at 71

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Two-time NBA All-Star Gus Williams, who led the Seattle SuperSonics to the franchise’s lone NBA championship, has died. He was 71. 

Williams’ decease comes astir 5 years aft helium suffered a debilitating stroke. According to The Seattle Times, his origin of decease was not instantly known, but helium was surviving successful a attraction installation successful Baltimore astatine the clip of his death. 

Longtime sports writer Peter Vecsey reported Thursday that Williams’ member said the erstwhile hoops player’s assemblage "simply broke down" implicit the past fewer days. He besides confirmed that the ceremonial volition beryllium held successful Mount Vernon, New York – Williams’ hometown. 

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Williams was drafted by the Golden State Warriors successful the 2nd circular of the 1975 NBA Draft. He would spell connected to gain NBA All-Rookie Team honors that twelvemonth and finished 2nd successful Rookie of the Year voting that season. 

He played 2 seasons with the Warriors earlier signing successful 1977 with the Sonics, wherever helium would rapidly marque a sanction for himself arsenic 1 of the astir dynamic guards of his time. 

The erstwhile USC standout led the Sonics to their lone title rubric successful 1979 erstwhile helium averaged a team-high of 26.7 points during the playoffs. 

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A two-time NBA All-Star, Williams famously sat retired the 1980 play due to the fact that of a declaration dispute, but helium returned the pursuing play to decorativeness 5th successful MVP voting and triumph NBA Comeback Player of the Year. 

The NBA assemblage mourned the nonaccomplishment of Williams connected societal media pursuing the quality of his death. 

Williams retired from playing hoops successful 1987 aft 1 play with the Atlanta Hawks. His jersey was retired by the Sonics successful 2004. 

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