NYC streetball legend Corey ‘Homicide’ Williams diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer
Corey ‘Homicide’ Williams, a streetball legend from the Bronx, has been diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer, his colleague revealed on a TV broadcast.
Williams, just 46 years old, was scheduled to work on a broadcast of Friday’s FIBA World Cup game between Australia and Slovenia. Instead, his commentary partner Trevor Gleeson announced the scary reason for Williams’ absence.
“I want to give a shout out to my good mate Corey ‘Homicide’ Williams. Corey has been diagnosed with stage four colon cancer and he is going to start treatment real soon,’ Gleeson said. “‘He’s a fighter. He’s an [Australian] league MVP in 2010. We wish you well Corey and the challenge ahead. There is nothing but love for the fight ahead and we know that you’re a fighter mate, you’re gonna beat it. Much love Corey.”
Williams, whose professional overseas career included a successful stint in Australia, posted on his Instagram, “Pray for me as I go on this journey. I will beat this.
Williams picked up his nickname and streetball legacy during the summer circuits in New York City. He killed the competition (figuratively, of course) at Rucker Park, Dyckman, West 4th St. and other spots as a streetball star in the early to mid-2000s.
Williams, who attended Rice HS in Harlem with Felipe Lopez, never cracked the NBA despite a couple training-camp invites. But he learned to play well enough without the ball in his hands — which is often a problem for players bred by NYC streetball — for the lengthy pro career in China, France, China and Lebanon, among others.
More recently, he’s worked as a commentator for the Australian National Basketball League and is known for his hot takes.
“‘He’s had a brilliant career in basketball,” Gleeson added on the Australia-Slovenia broadcast. “Controversial with the commentating but he’s never shy. Corey can talk underwater.
“If you’re going to run into the guy, you’re going to have a big smile on your face, he’s that kind of guy.”
About 1 in 23 men in the U.S. will develop colon cancer, according to the American Cancer Society, which estimated that over 10,000 U.S. men will get colon cancer this year before they turn 50.
