Gus Williams, the NBA champion who famously led the Seattle SuperSonics to their sole championship in 1979, has died at the age of 71. The Washington Wizards, the last team he played for, confirmed the news through social media, expressing their condolences to his family and loved ones. Williams was drafted by the Golden State Warriors in 1975 and was a runner-up for Rookie of the Year, marking the start of a significant career.

After two seasons with the Warriors, Williams joined the SuperSonics as a free agent in the 1977-78 season. He quickly became a key player, averaging 18.6 points during his initial years with the team. His standout performance in the 1979 NBA Finals led Seattle to a 4-1 series victory over the Washington Bullets, with Williams averaging 29 points per game.