Former New York Knicks guard Ray Williams died on Friday at the age of 58.
He had been battling battling colon cancer at Manhattan's Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.
Williams was the 10th overall pick in the 1977 draft, taken by the Knicks.
He played 10 NBA seasons, including two stints with the Knicks.
The 6-foot-3 Williams had career averages of 15.5 points a game and 5.8 assists a game.
Williams had difficulties after he retired. He was bankrupt and
homeless for periods, which led to his wife and children leaving him.
---Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol were scheduled to be in the Los Angeles Lakers' starting lineup for their game Friday night against the Washington Wizards at Staples Center.
Both players made it through practice Thursday without issue, ESPN.com reported.
A foot injury has sidelined Gasol since Feb. 5. A sprained ankle and the flu have slowed Bryant for the past week.
---All-Star point guard Tony Parker, who was been out because of a severely sprained left ankle since March 1, was expected to play Friday night against the Utah Jazz.
The Spurs listed Parker as probable, but he took part in a five-on-five practice session Thursday without any issues.
---Indiana Pacers forward David West is not expected to play this weekend while he continues to battle back problems.
The team's second leading scorer at 17.3 points per game, West is
having pain and experiencing difficult walking, The Indianapolis Star
reported.
---The Miami Heat
signed forward Juwan Howard for the remainder of the season. The Heat
previously signed Howard to a 10-day contract on March 2. He has not
appeared in a game for Miami this season.
