NYC Mourns Death of Streetballer James “Stixx” Williams, Who Collapsed During Game

A well-known and respected hooper from the NYC-area, James “Stixx” Williams, suffered a fatal heart attack during a game at the Nike Pro City summer tourney last Thursday night at Baruch College. Fellow New Yorkers  Taj Gibson and Kemba Walker took to Twitter to express their sorrow and pay their respects. Williams played in a handful of other tournaments in the city throughout the summers. Tonight, Pro City will hold a moment of silence in his honor as well as “a donation to help his family.” More from the NY Post:

A popular street basketball player died Thursday after tweeting “Thank God for another day alive” the day before.

 

James “Stixx” Williams, 34, of Brooklyn, died after suffering a heart attack during a game at Nike Pro City at Baruch College, the league said. Williams was married with two children.

 

“He was a fun-loving, warm kind of guy,” said Williams’ coach with the team Queensbridge, Lou Garnes. “He was a committed guy to the game of basketball, he loved the game of basketball and he was an all-around good guy.”

 

According to eyewitness accounts, Williams collapsed and went into cardiac arrest. A Nike Pro City certified trainer and a firefighter in attendance administered CPR, but he died on the way to a local hospital.

 

Williams was popular on the city’s streetball circuit, playing in a variety of leagues. Friends, former teammates and opponents — including NBA players Taj Gibson and Kemba Walker — took to Twitter and Instagram to express their grief.