Basketball

Former St. John’s Basketball Greats Inducted Into NYC Basketball Hall of Fame

Alfieri, Williams part of 2016 Hall of Fame class.

by
Kayla Machlica
September 15, 2016

Jayson Williams

Two of St. John’s former basketball greats, Gus Alfieri and Jayson Williams were inducted into the New York City Basketball Hall of Fame as members of the 2016 class on Wednesday night during the 27^th annual induction dinner at the New York Athletic Club in Manhattan.

Gus Alfieri was elected as a coach after leading St. Anthony’s High School of Long Island to a huge amount of success for almost two decades. The St. John’s All-Century Team honoree constructed a 328-106 head coaching record. He also steered his teams to a pair of New York State Championships, along with four NSCHSAA titles. He was also inducted into the St. Anthony’s High School Hall of Fame in this past June

Alfieri, who was also a three-year letterwinner at St. John’s from 1956-59 under renowned coach Joe Lapchick, starred on the 1958-59 NIT Championship team. He averaged 10.8 points and guided the Redmen to a 52-23 record.

Jayson Williams was an elite athlete at St. John’s, playing three seasons under Hall of Fame coach Lou Carnesecca. He helped lead St. John’s to a 61-35 record and to two NCAA Tournament appearances. Williams, who was an All-BIG-EAT selection, averaged 19.5 points and 7.5 rebounds during the 1988-89 run. He also helped the team to an NIT Championship, where he was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP). He finished his collegiate career in Queens with 1,072 points and 490 rebounds.

Being picked the 21^st overall in the 1990 NBA Draft, Jayson Williams played nearly a decade in the NBA, spending the majority of his professional career with the New Jersey Nets. He recorded 3,472 points, 3,584 rebounds and 301 blocks during his career in the NBA. Williams was named to the 1998 NBA All-Star Team and finished the season as the league leader in offensive rebounds.

Dating back to its inaugural class in 1990, the New York City Basketball Hall of Fame has inducted 233 players, coaches, teams, contributors and trustees of the City Game.

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