By Dan Murphy
Westchester Congressman George Latimer took to the floor of the House of Representatives to remember Gus Williams, who passed away on Jan. 15 at the age of 71. Williams attended Mt. Vernon High School with Latimer, and is being remembered as the greatest basketball player in Westchester history.
“I rise today to honor the life of Gus Williams. A basketball great and native from Mt. Vernon NY, his talent made him one of the greatest players from my hometown He got the nickname the wizard for his acrobatic style, speed ,and mid-range jump shots.
“Gus led the Mt. Vernon High School basketball team to the state championship in 1971. He went on to USC and an NBA career with the Seattle Supersonics. He led the Supersonics to the NBA Championship in 1979, and they retired his #1 jersey.
“I’m grateful that I got to go to high school with Gus Williams and to have seen his magic before the rest of the world got that opportunity. He will be deeply missed in the Mt. Vernon community but his memory will live on,” said Congressman Latmer.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the family with expenses by his NBA teammate James Donaldson.
“I’m James Donaldson, Gus Williams’ former Seattle Supersonic teammate and friend for over 40 years. I’ve been working closely with Gus’ family over the last 2 – 3 years. I have been in touch with Gus throughout most of this terrible journey and did a FaceTime with him every couple of months or so.
“His family asked me to be their spokesperson on the West Coast and in the Pacific Northwest. They also asked me to create and administer this GoFundMe. I’m more than happy to do so.
“Gus (10/10/1953 – 01-15-2025) became seriously ill 5 years ago after suffering a stroke and then being beset with pneumonia and meningitis. He has spent the last 5 years flat on his back and bravely battling this terrible misfortune. He fought a good fight, but it became too much to overcome.
“He was one of the very best and one of the most beloved NBA players of his time and an NBA World Champion with the Seattle Supersonics in 1979.
“No one will ever forget “The Wizard” and his unique way of tying his shoe laces on the back of his ankles instead of the front.
“He was gregarious, funny, always upbeat, and very charitable with his time and money. Plus, he was always friendly with the fans, and they loved him in return.
“Super fast and super quick on the court. Could stop on a dime and outrun everyone out there. With a deadly jump shop to boot. Gus was one of a kind!
“Gus spent his last years in a skilled nursing home in Maryland, and the family wants to transport his body from Maryland back to Mt. Vernon. NY, Gus’ hometown, so that he can have a decent funeral and his 100-year-old mother and other family members can visit his gravesite.
“Gus’ brother, Ray Williams, was also an NBA player and passed of prostate cancer on March 22, 2013, and Gus will be buried next to him in Mt. Vernon. Their mother and the rest of the family would like nothing better than to be able to visit the sites of their dearly departed loved ones.
“Gus was just nominated for the NBA Hall of Fame in December 2024, and hopefully will garner enough votes to be posthumously inducted in the fall of 2025. What a guy! What a life! What a player and what a very special person!
“Please consider contributing to our efforts to send Gus back home in the class and style he deserves! Contributions are collected by GoFundMe which are then sent directly to the Williams family account every 2 – 3 days for the stated purposes. The funds raised with this fundraiser will be used for those purposes.”
To make a contribution visit-
Williams was an All-NBA 1st team player in 1979, a two time All Star. Many of the Westchester sports fans we spoke to agreed with us that Gus Williams was the greatest basketball player in Westchester history, with Peekskill native Elton Brand a close second.
