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.

Gus Williams often came back to Mount Vernon to support The Boys and Girls Club and opened a basketball academy at Hooperstown in 2007. ( Elizabeth Orozco / The Journal News )© Elizabeth Orozco ...

Gus Williams, the point guard “Wizard” who helped lead the SuperSonics to their only NBA championship in 1979, died Wednesday nearly five years after suffering a stroke. He was 71.