Freeman Williams obit

Former Jazz Star Freeman Williams Passed Away At The Age Of 65

 

He was not on the list.

One of the most recognizable and talented athletes from Portland State University, Freeman Williams was a four-year star for the Vikings, where he became one of the best college basketball players of all time.

One of the greatest college basketball players from the Pacific Northwest, Freeman Williams passed away on Tuesday, April 19. He was 65 years old.

One of the most recognizable and talented athletes from Portland State University, Williams was a four-year star for the Vikings, where he became one of the best college basketball players of all time.

He is Portland State’s all-time career scoring leader, amassing 3,249 points in 106 career games — all of which came before a three-point line. His point total is the second-most in NCAA history, trailing only Utah great Pete Maravich. He led the nation in scoring in his final two seasons at school, averaging 38.8 points as a junior and 35.9 points as a senior.

After being the eighth overall pick by the Boston Celtics in the 1978 NBA draft, he made his league debut with the San Diego Clippers. From 1980-82, he finished in the top-10 in three-point shooting, an impressive feat considering that was not a stat while in college.

Prior to the start of the 1982 season, Williams was traded to the Jazz for Domonique Wilkins, who refused to sign with Utah. Freeman played in 18 games for the Jazz, averaging 5.1 points in 11.7 minutes per game.

Freeman became the first Clippers player to win a Player of the Month award, and the only one in franchise history until Elton Brand did so 25 years later. In the middle of the 1981-82 season, the Clippers traded Williams to the Atlanta Hawks for Al Wood and Charlie Criss.

In September 1982, Freeman Williams was traded by the Atlanta Hawks along with John Drew, and cash to the Utah Jazz in exchange for Dominique Wilkins who was drafted by the Jazz and refused to sign. After that season (1982–83), Williams only played in 27 more games: 18 with Utah in 1983 and nine with the Washington Bullets in 1986.

In 1987, Williams played in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) for the Tanduay Rhum Masters, where he famously scored 82 points, including 10 three-pointers, in one game.

Freeman had a small part in the 1992 film White Men Can't Jump, playing fictional playground legend Duck Johnson.

Williams died on April 19, 2022. He was 65.

Freeman had a small part in the 1992 film White Men Can't Jump, playing fictional playground legend Duck Johnson.

During and after his playing career, Williams struggled with substance abuse issues. After his professional basketball career ended, he became close friends with John Lucas II, who also struggled with substance abuse, and Lucas became a mentor of sorts to Williams.

 

Career history

1978–1982            San Diego Clippers

1982    Atlanta Hawks

1982    Utah Jazz

1984–1985            Tampa Bay Thrillers

1985–1986            Washington Bullets

1986    Tampa Bay Thrillers

1993    Miami Tropics

Career highlights and awards

Consensus second-team All-American (1978)

Third-team All-American – AP, UPI (1977)

2× NCAA season scoring leader (1977, 1978)