Yeah, that really stinks, so young.

He was too hard to handle in the NBL at that time - too strong to guard in the post, too quick to guard on the perimeter. A real beast.

Sad news to wake up to. Way too young.
He's one of the few players I always happily accept in NBL 'best ever' lists because he was just that good.

(despite playing here only 1 season)

Wildcats were close to signing him too after he left the Kings..

More than 8 ships by now perhaps?

http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/09/11/1063268514496.html

He played here the year I was overseas, so I never saw him play. What stopped him from making the NBA? He barely suited in Europe, mostly playing in Asia and the Middle East.

He didn't have range on the jumper and as he was undersized- that's what stopped him making NBA - at that time, he was Just too good for the NBL, he could not be guarded, by anyone. You'd watch a game, and you'd think gees Williams was quiet- but evhad 25 pts at 60% and 17 boards kings guy

His 3 point shot wasn't great, but he sure did pick his moments to hit one. Inside the paint he was like no one we've ever seen here. Wasn't great but had immaculate footwork and the sweetest pair of hands you'll ever see with great touch and timing around the basket. He had that sense like Rodman, where despite being undersized he just seemed to know where every rebound was going to end up......but also with sublime offensive skills

**That should say "wasn't huge". Great he certainly was

Verbal agreement, 3rd or 4th option, ehh "close" enough... ;)

Nah.

He was never going anywhere else but Germany.

They were paying him much more tahn any team here could afford.

Also .. I remember having discussions with folk around GF 2003 time as to why he wasn't in the NBA.

The answer seemed to be that as good as was.. there were already quite q few guys of his ilk before him in line.

But he was a great player.

Sad news indeed.

I remember being surprised a few years ago when I checked on the leagues he played in post-NBL, but he was a freakish athlete at the time in comparison to other NBL players. Also re: NBA chances, back in those days the "tweener" tag was a real negative, and that's exactly what he was.

I read this on facebook & thought someone might have shed some light on here as to what caused his demise?

Looks like english wiki is wrong, he only played until 2013 then probably retired?

Very sad to hear. He was a class player and seemingly a classy bloke.

Watching him play there was nothing he was specifically amazing at, but just read the game well, was a very good athlete and knew how to take advantage of mismatches.

As mentioned by others his opportunities at the highest level were limited due to being really undersized. Would have been interesting to see if someone gave him a chance if he was a college grad in 2017 as the game has changed to give smaller 4s a chance.

Tragic is the word alright

Incredible player. NBL MVP and title straight out of college, German title the next year, then dominated Euroleague the following year averaging 19p, 7r, 3a, 3s and 1b which are ridiculous numbers in that comp.

He then cashed in throughout Asia after that but could have dominated Europe or Australia his whole career had he wanted.

NBLFacts tweeted he is just one of three players to average 20p, 12r, 4a, 2s and 1b in an NBL season, and he is the only one to do it in the professional era.

So sad that he is dead so young. Makes you stop and think.