Tragic news has hit the basketball world hard today as Corey “Homicide” Williams, a towering figure in streetball and professional basketball, has died at the age of 46 following a battle with colon cancer.
Williams, known for his fierce play and larger-than-life personality, rose from the concrete courts of New York City to international stardom, leaving an indelible mark on the sport. His journey from streetball legend to professional basketball MVP was nothing short of cinematic, filled with the kind of gritty drama and flashy play that made him a fan favorite.
In a candid piece for The Players’ Tribune in 2016, Williams detailed his unconventional approach to the game. “It’s style over substance,” he said, describing his philosophy of turning heads rather than just winning games. He recalled putting together a team of solid players who would “give me the ball,” allowing him to dominate the playground with his relentless shooting: “You could block my shot three or four times, but I wasn’t walking to the bench. I was going to come right the f–k back at you until I got mine.”
His professional career was just as storied, with stints in the NBA D-League and a standout period in the National Basketball League (NBL) in Australia, where he earned the league MVP title in 2010 with the Townsville Crocodiles. His impact extended beyond the court, as he later joined the NBL commentary team, where his passion and knowledge of the game greatly contributed to the league’s growth and popularity in Australia.
NBL and sports world voices mourn the loss of Corey “Homicide” Williams
NBL executive director Larry Kestelman expressed the community’s deep loss, stating, “Having Corey as part of the NBL commentary team was by far one of the best decisions I ever made… There will never be another Corey ‘Homicide’ Williams, may he rest in peace.“
The sentiment was echoed by ESPN NBL reporter Olgun Uluc, who remembered Williams not just as a player but as a person who profoundly impacted the Australian basketball community. “It’s a truly enormous, tragic loss… The self-promotion and bombastic demeanor was, without question, who he was, but he also knew damn well the role it all played in promoting the game,” Uluc wrote on X.
As the basketball community mourns, they also celebrate the legacy of a man who was both a showman on the court and a beloved figure off it, whose contributions went far beyond his impressive stats and memorable plays. Corey “Homicide” Williams leaves behind a legacy that will be remembered for generations in both the alleys of New York and the arenas of Australia.
