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Vale Corey Williams


THE tragic, premature and sadly inevitable death of one of the NBL's past great players and by far its most strident international advocate and ambassador, Corey "Homicide" Williams, at just 46, has left a massive pall over the off-season and feelings of inestimable loss.

To put it bluntly, Corey was family, part of an extended basketball community and maybe as much loved as any other single individual in the history of the NBL.

That truly is saying something because very few can successfully make the transition from being a league MVP as Corey was for Townsville Crocodiles in the NBL's 2009-10 season, to a colourful and controversial commentator whose passion always was on show.

Yes, some of what he would say was designed to get a reaction but beneath even his most outrageous statements, there was a twinkle and a smile that were irresistible.

Regardless of the circumstance, he always had a ready smile and was happy to engage with anyone, from a league owner to a newfound fan, Corey was always the same fun person to be around.

Who will ever forget him running around Perth's Challenge Stadium with his uniform pulled up, giving Wildcats fans hell after enduring their derision all game but having the last laugh as Townsville eliminated them from the playoffs?

That was the night he coined the phrase "Croc Nation" while winning the hearts of every non-Wildcats fan in Australia. And maybe just a few in Perth, too.

He was an amazing import in a class of his own. Despite no reliable mid-range jumpshot to speak of, he remained a prolific scorer. In 25 games during the 2007–08 NBL season, Williams averaged 21.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.8 steals per game for the Crocodiles and was named in the All-NBL Second Team.

Across 32 games in the 2008–09 NBL season, he averaged 18.7 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.2 steals per game to again be named in the All-NBL Second Team.

Returning to Townsville for the 2009–10 NBL season, he averaged 18.6 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.1 assists, shooting the ball at 50.6 per cent from the field to claim the MVP award.

In four NBL seasons, Williams played 114 games - 91 for Townsville Crocs and 23 for Melbourne Tigers - to average 19.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.7 assists over his career. Not bad for not having a jumpshot, but he was a baller, no question.

When he moved into television commentary, a new side of him - his ebullient and fun-loving personality - suddenly was to the fore. Whether viewers loved or hated his calls, few would dispute he was a compelling listen.

Back in those better days when commentators attended all games, he had sideline shenanigans in Perth with Bryce Cotton.

In Adelaide well after a 36ers game, I received live video on my mobile of him being taught "dabbing" in a nightclub by one of my daughters.

(Those of you who know them will know which one.)

It was hilarious then and my only regret now is I didn't hang on to the vision.

The word "great" is thrown around far too loosely these days. But if greatness is measured by the degree of impact one person can have on others, then Corey assuredly qualifies.

Unlike the overwhelming majority of us, the one joy he managed to experience was the outpouring of love and genuine affection he received from all parts of Australia and all parts of our basketball family while he was still alive.

Most will never hear their own eulogy or ever know how many people loved them. Never afraid to share his illness or fear its inevitable conclusion, that chance to see how much he meant to so many people was a blessing Corey was gifted, in contrast to the tragedy he suffered.

May he Rest in Peace while we count our blessings we had the privilege to know him.

May 13

Content, unless otherwise indicated, is © copyright Boti Nagy.