Gus Williams, the beloved Seattle SuperSonics star who led the franchise to its only NBA championship in 1979, died Wednesday at age 71.

The basketball world lost a legend on Wednesday, as former NBA point guard Gus Williams passed away at the age of 71, nearly five years after suffering a major stroke.

NBA champion Gus Williams, who played for 11 years and led the Seattle SuperSonics to their only championship in 1979, died on Wednesday at age 71. The Washington Wizards, who Williams played for in the final year of his career,

Undersized but speedy and known as the Wizard for his acrobatics, he was a high scorer who in 1979 starred in a series that brought the SuperSonics their only crown.

Gus Williams, the legendary Seattle SuperSonics guard who led his team to their first NBA championship in 1979, passed away at 71. He was a two-time NBA All-Star and the 1982 Comeback Player of the Year.

Seattle SuperSonics great Gus Williams, who led the team to its only NBA Championship in 1979, has died. He was 71.

The Seattle SuperSonics only won a single NBA title - in 1979, two years after the Blazers won their lone championship - and they wouldn’t have been able to do it without 6’2” guard Gus Johnson who passed away Wednesday at the age of 71.

Gus Williams, who died this week aged 71, was first drafted by the Warriors in 1975 and went on to become a runner-up for Rookie of the Year.