MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Memphis Grizzlies assistant general manager Kenny Williamson has died of cancer, the team announced Tuesday.
The Grizzlies released a statement Tuesday after Williamson's wife, Nicole, notified team officials that he had died overnight. He was 65.
Williamson had just had just begun his sixth season with the Grizzlies. Nicknamed "Eggman" in basketball circles, Williamson previously spent three seasons with the Charlotte Bobcats, leading their scouting of college and high school prospects while assisting with the team's international scouting efforts. Williamson
also worked as a New York Knicks scout from 1997-2003.
"Kenny and his vibrant personality touched so many people throughout the years in the basketball community, and each and every one of us will miss him dearly," Grizzlies CEO and managing partner Jason Levien said in a statement. "Not only was Kenny a great basketball mind, anyone who knew him knows he was a devoted family man, a trusted colleague and an outstanding friend to all."
Before coming to the NBA, Williamson worked 21 years as a college assistant at St. John's, Seton Hall, Columbia, Louisville, Iona and Florida State. He worked as an associate head coach on Pat Kennedy's staffs at Iona and Florida State. During his college coaching career, he worked with such future NBA players as Sam Cassell, Pervis Ellison, Jeff Ruland, Bob Sura and Charlie Ward.
Williamson is survived by his wife as well as five children and four grandchildren. The Grizzlies will announce funeral arrangements and plans to honor Williamson at a later date.
"Anyone who ever met 'Eggman' will never forget him," Grizzlies general manager Chris Wallace said in a statement. "He had a huge personality and was extremely well respected, both professionally and personally.
Kenny was as true and committed a friend as one will ever have. He deeply cared for his friends and the youth of Memphis and of every community he touched. He was the greatest people person I have ever known. Every place I ever traveled with him, from Argentina to Turkey and throughout the U.S., he made an indelible impression and made countless friends. He was well known is all basketball circles, both domestically and internationally, and his presence will be sorely missed."
Williamson's death is the latest tragedy to hit the Grizzlies' front office. Dana Davis, the Grizzlies' vice president of basketball operations, was found dead in his apartment last month.
