Ex-Nets Guard Williamson Dies At 45 After Long Illness

John Williamson, a flashy guard who was a member of two Nets teams that won ABA championships, died Saturday at Yale-New Haven University Hospital, a team spokesman said.

The 45-year-old Williamson, known as “Super John,” played with the New York then New Jersey Nets from 1973-1980, with parts of two seasons spent with the Indiana Pacers.

Retired Nets’ trainer Fritz Massman said Williamson had been sick for about seven or eight years and was under dialysis for a severe kidney problem.

“He was one hell of a player, a good player. He was tough. He never backed down from anything and he always wanted to take the big shot,” Massman said.

Williamson held several Nets records, including his 34 field-goal attempts against Philadelphia in the 1979 playoffs and his 40 attempts against Buffalo in the regular season in 1978. He also has a Nets record with 22 free throws made in a game against San Diego in 1978.

The Nets have retired his number 23.