Fly Williams
Encyclopedia
James "Fly" Williams is a retired American professional basketball
player. He once scored 100 points in an IS8 League a game in 1978.
, New York, he attended Madison High School, where he initially was interested in playing baseball. He was a pitcher, but was advised that he had become too tall to remain competitive in that sport. His initial introduction to basketball did not go well, but he eventually made the adjustment to the new game. His ability to play basketball came from his frequent participation in street basketball games. He played with some of New York's finest street players such as World B. Free
and Earl "the Goat" Manigault. When the games eventually ended, he would go out in search of more opportunities to play basketball. Williams dominated the sport of basketball at Madison High School in the early 1970s. By his freshman year, he was , with outstanding moves, a fantastic shot, a terrific knowledge of the back board action, and could play the crowds.
Williams got the nickname "Fly" from his flamboyant wardrobe and playing style.
However, due to his poor attendance at Madison High, Williams completed high school at a prep school, Glen Springs Academy, in Lakemont, New York
. The book Heaven is a Playground, discusses, among other things, the education of Fly Williams.
, to attend Austin Peay State University
in Clarksville, Tennessee
.
Williams arrived on campus in 1972. He was greeted by a reception which included a sky-writing demonstration which spelled out his name. His freshman year, playing as a guard, his scoring record was especially noteworthy. Williams averaged 29.4 points per game in 1973, fifth best in the nation. The Austin Peay State University basketball team, the Governors, won a bid to the National Collegiate Athletic Association
(NCAA) tournament. Williams was true to form; scoring 26 points in a first-round win over Jacksonville University
. In the second round of the tournament, Williams managed another 26 points, but the Austin Peay Governors lost to the University of Kentucky
, coached by Joe B. Hall
, in overtime.
Williams scored 51 points twice in his freshman year. In his sophomore season, Williams averaged 27.5 points per game, earning a third-place scoring record in the NCAA. Once again the Governors basketball team won the bid for the NCAA tournament. Once again Williams scored 26 points, but Austin Peay was crushed by Notre Dame, 108–66, in the first round. The record established by Williams in his two years at Austin Peay, was impressive. Williams scored 1,541 points with a 28.5 point per game average; he left college due to hardship and pursued a professional career. Austin Peay responded to Williams' two year record, in 1975, by building the Dunn Center
, a larger gymnasium, to accommodate the increase in attendance at basketball games.
drafted Williams in the first round of the 1974 ABA Draft. Following the draft, there were several offers to buy the player contract on Williams. Eventually, he was sold to the Spirits of St. Louis
. A young sports broadcaster named Bob Costas
announced their games. He would later contribute to a book, "Loose Balls: The Short, Wild Life of the American Basketball Association
," a sports book originally published in 1990, by Simon and Schuster, and written by sportswriter Terry Pluto
.
The 1974–75 basketball season was a disappointment to Williams and his team. He managed to score only 9.4 points per game for the Spirits. His scoring was erratic and he was known for his showmanship rather than his scoring proficiency. Williams did not play during the following year (1975–76), after which the Spirits of St. Louis were one of two teams, along with the Kentucky Colonels
, to fold as a result of the ABA-NBA merger
, and Williams ended up without a team despite some interest in retaining him in the league. Williams was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers
in the ninth round of the 1976 NBA Draft
but the team did not sign him.
Williams then played in the Continental Basketball Association
and the Eastern League, but he failed to receive any attractive offers from NBA teams. Williams later played for a basketball team in Israel
, but he never attracted the serious attention of recruiters in the NBA. Williams admits that his temper was probably an underlying issue which predicated his lack of serious offers.
Williams is now retired and works with disadvantaged youth.
Williams is listed as the number three athlete on the "50 Greatest Streetballers of All Time" by Street Basketball Association (SBA).
While playing at Austin Peay, the fans constructed a clever on-court chant that went: "Fly is open, let's go Peay!" Fans still chant "Let's Go Peay" at all basketball games. Williams' number 35 jersey was retired by Austin Peay State University on February 5, 2009.
(
A book on the life of Williams was written by Knoxville, Tennessee-based author Dave Link. Called The Fly 35 (citing his jersey number at Austin Peay), it was published to coincide with the jersey retirement ceremony.
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player. He once scored 100 points in an IS8 League a game in 1978.
Early life
Born in Brownsville, BrooklynBrooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
, New York, he attended Madison High School, where he initially was interested in playing baseball. He was a pitcher, but was advised that he had become too tall to remain competitive in that sport. His initial introduction to basketball did not go well, but he eventually made the adjustment to the new game. His ability to play basketball came from his frequent participation in street basketball games. He played with some of New York's finest street players such as World B. Free
World B. Free
World B. Free is an American former professional basketball player who played in the NBA from 1975–1988. Free was known as the "Prince of Midair" as well as "All-World".-Early years:...
and Earl "the Goat" Manigault. When the games eventually ended, he would go out in search of more opportunities to play basketball. Williams dominated the sport of basketball at Madison High School in the early 1970s. By his freshman year, he was , with outstanding moves, a fantastic shot, a terrific knowledge of the back board action, and could play the crowds.
Williams got the nickname "Fly" from his flamboyant wardrobe and playing style.
However, due to his poor attendance at Madison High, Williams completed high school at a prep school, Glen Springs Academy, in Lakemont, New York
Lakemont, New York
Lakemont is a hamlet in the town of Starkey, Yates County, New York, United States. It is part of the Finger Lakes region. Lakemont is located several miles north of Glenora.The American writer and composer Paul Bowles is buried there.-References:...
. The book Heaven is a Playground, discusses, among other things, the education of Fly Williams.
College
After Williams completed high school, he was recruited by an assistant basketball coach, Leonard HamiltonLeonard Hamilton
Leonard Hamilton is the current head basketball coach at Florida State University. He is a former coach at Oklahoma State University, the University of Miami, and the NBA's Washington Wizards...
, to attend Austin Peay State University
Austin Peay State University
Austin Peay State University is a four-year public university located in Clarksville, Tennessee, and operated by the Tennessee Board of Regents. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools .-History:...
in Clarksville, Tennessee
Clarksville, Tennessee
Clarksville is a city in and the county seat of Montgomery County, Tennessee, United States, and the fifth largest city in the state. The population was 132,929 in 2010 United States Census...
.
Williams arrived on campus in 1972. He was greeted by a reception which included a sky-writing demonstration which spelled out his name. His freshman year, playing as a guard, his scoring record was especially noteworthy. Williams averaged 29.4 points per game in 1973, fifth best in the nation. The Austin Peay State University basketball team, the Governors, won a bid to the National Collegiate Athletic Association
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
(NCAA) tournament. Williams was true to form; scoring 26 points in a first-round win over Jacksonville University
Jacksonville University
Jacksonville University is a private university in Jacksonville, Florida, on the banks of the St. Johns River. The school was founded in 1934 as a two year college and was known as Jacksonville Junior College until 1958, when it shifted its focus to four-year university degrees and adopted its...
. In the second round of the tournament, Williams managed another 26 points, but the Austin Peay Governors lost to the University of Kentucky
Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball
The Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball team, representing the University of Kentucky, is the winningest in the history of college basketball, both in all-time wins and all-time winning percentage. Kentucky's all-time record currently stands at 2058–647...
, coached by Joe B. Hall
Joe B. Hall
-See also:*Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball*NCAA Men's Division I Final Four appearances by coaches- External links :* at unofficial Fan Site* * *...
, in overtime.
Williams scored 51 points twice in his freshman year. In his sophomore season, Williams averaged 27.5 points per game, earning a third-place scoring record in the NCAA. Once again the Governors basketball team won the bid for the NCAA tournament. Once again Williams scored 26 points, but Austin Peay was crushed by Notre Dame, 108–66, in the first round. The record established by Williams in his two years at Austin Peay, was impressive. Williams scored 1,541 points with a 28.5 point per game average; he left college due to hardship and pursued a professional career. Austin Peay responded to Williams' two year record, in 1975, by building the Dunn Center
Dunn Center
Dunn Center is a 9,000-seat multi-purpose arena in Clarksville, Tennessee. It was built in 1975. It is home to the Austin Peay State University Governors basketball team. It hosted the Ohio Valley Conference men's basketball tournament in 1977...
, a larger gymnasium, to accommodate the increase in attendance at basketball games.
Professional career
The Denver NuggetsDenver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets are a professional basketball team based in Denver, Colorado. They play in the National Basketball Association . They were founded as the Denver Rockets in 1967 as a charter franchise of the American Basketball Association, and became one of that league's more successful teams...
drafted Williams in the first round of the 1974 ABA Draft. Following the draft, there were several offers to buy the player contract on Williams. Eventually, he was sold to the Spirits of St. Louis
Spirits of St. Louis
The Spirits of St. Louis were one of two teams still in existence at the end of the American Basketball Association that did not survive the ABA-NBA merger. They were a member of the ABA in its last two seasons, 1974–75 and 1975–76, while playing their home games at the St...
. A young sports broadcaster named Bob Costas
Bob Costas
Robert Quinlan "Bob" Costas is an American sportscaster, on the air for the NBC network since the early 1980s.-Early life:...
announced their games. He would later contribute to a book, "Loose Balls: The Short, Wild Life of the American Basketball Association
Loose Balls: The Short, Wild Life of the American Basketball Association
Loose Balls: The Short Wild Life of the American Basketball Association is a sports book originally published in 1990 by Simon and Schuster. The book was written by sportswriter Terry Pluto, although much of his writing is limited to introductions and summaries of each season...
," a sports book originally published in 1990, by Simon and Schuster, and written by sportswriter Terry Pluto
Terry Pluto
Terry Pluto is an award-winning sportswriter who primarily writes columns for The Plain Dealer, and formerly for the Akron Beacon Journal about Cleveland sports and religion. He has been named Ohio Sportswriter of the Year eight times...
.
The 1974–75 basketball season was a disappointment to Williams and his team. He managed to score only 9.4 points per game for the Spirits. His scoring was erratic and he was known for his showmanship rather than his scoring proficiency. Williams did not play during the following year (1975–76), after which the Spirits of St. Louis were one of two teams, along with the Kentucky Colonels
Kentucky Colonels
The Kentucky Colonels were a member of the American Basketball Association for all of the league's nine years. The name is derived from the historic Kentucky colonels. The Colonels won the most games and had the highest winning percentage of any franchise in the league's history, but the team did...
, to fold as a result of the ABA-NBA merger
ABA-NBA merger
The ABA–NBA merger was the merger of the American Basketball Association with the National Basketball Association, which after multiple attempts over several years finally occurred in 1976.- Origins of ABA-NBA competition :...
, and Williams ended up without a team despite some interest in retaining him in the league. Williams was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . Originally known as the Syracuse Nationals, they are one of the oldest franchises in the NBA...
in the ninth round of the 1976 NBA Draft
1976 NBA Draft
The 1976 NBA Draft was the 30th annual draft of the National Basketball Association . The draft was held on June 8, 1976 before the 1976–77 season. In this draft, 18 NBA teams took turns selecting amateur U.S. college basketball players and other eligible players, including international players...
but the team did not sign him.
Williams then played in the Continental Basketball Association
Continental Basketball Association
The Continental Basketball Association was a professional men's basketball league in the United States, which has been on hiatus since the 2009 season.- History :...
and the Eastern League, but he failed to receive any attractive offers from NBA teams. Williams later played for a basketball team in Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
, but he never attracted the serious attention of recruiters in the NBA. Williams admits that his temper was probably an underlying issue which predicated his lack of serious offers.
Retirement
Williams's career was eventually ended due to a robbery attempt. A bullet wound left him with decreased lung capacity, and scar on his back.Williams is now retired and works with disadvantaged youth.
Williams is listed as the number three athlete on the "50 Greatest Streetballers of All Time" by Street Basketball Association (SBA).
While playing at Austin Peay, the fans constructed a clever on-court chant that went: "Fly is open, let's go Peay!" Fans still chant "Let's Go Peay" at all basketball games. Williams' number 35 jersey was retired by Austin Peay State University on February 5, 2009.
(
A book on the life of Williams was written by Knoxville, Tennessee-based author Dave Link. Called The Fly 35 (citing his jersey number at Austin Peay), it was published to coincide with the jersey retirement ceremony.