Former Cleveland Cavalier John ‘Hot Rod’ Williams dies at 53
Former NBA player John “Hot Rod” Williams died Friday at age 53, his agent Mark Bartelstein confirmed to ESPN.
Williams, who had been battling prostate cancer since June, played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks during his 13-year NBA tenure.
In his nine seasons with the Cavs, Williams averaged 13 points and 7.1 rebounds, while shooting at a 48.0% clip.
Williams averaged 11 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game in 887 career NBA contests. He retired from the league after one season with the Mavericks in 1999.
A Sorrento, La. native, Williams was a second-round selection in the 1985 NBA draft by the Cavaliers out of Tulane, where he was named the Metro Conference player of the year in 1984.
The Suns released a statement on Friday in regards to the passing of Williams.
