During the early 1980s he was considered as one of the greatest high school basketball players at Crenshaw High School where he starred for coach Willie West, but for John Williams he could not reach those lofty expectations at LSU or during an eight year NBA career with the Bullets, Clippers and Pacers.
His 14 year professional basketball career ended over season where he averaged a modest 15 points per game, but today Williams in in the argument for greatest high school basketball players from storied Crenshaw and the state of California.
Kenneth Miller, founder and director of the Collision All Star games had a front row seat to Williams exploits when he was at Crenshaw.
As Prep Sports Editor for the Los Angeles Sentinel newspaper, Miller was responsible for chronicling Williams greatest achievements.
Williams was impossible to defend at Crenshaw and won the California State Mr. Basketball honor in both 1983 and 1984, while taking All-City honors both years. In 1984 he averaged 26.1 points per game under West, and leading Crenshaw to the LA City Title. He was LA City Player of the Year, a Parade All-American and Mr. USA Basketball. He went to LSU for two seasons (1985-86) and finished as a collegiate All-American before entering the draft after his sophomore season.
He then was a first round NBA selection by Washington (12th overall). He had an eight-year NBA career and finished playing overseas in Spain. A great passer for a big man, Williams made the All-NBA Rookie Team in 1987. He later played in the NBA with the Los Angeles Clippers and Indiana Pacers, but injuries ended his NBA career in 1995. He continued overseas for several more seasons before retiring in 2002. He was inducted into the LA City Athletics HOF in 2015.
“He was a man among boys at Crenshaw, so great he was coined with the nickname “Allah” which I published and it nearly cost me my life at the hands of the Nation of Islam on Central Ave,” said Miller.
Now, 59, and not in good health Williams will be presented with the prestigious Jim Harrick Lifetime Achievement Award on Saturday April 11 at St. Bernard High School at 3p.m.
The presentation will take place before the boys Los Angeles City versus Southern Section match-up in the 26th annual Collision All Star Game. The girls game will tip at 5p.m., the donation is $20 for adults and $10 for children at the door. For more information contact (310) 924-7851.
