John Williamson: The Forgotten Scoring Machine Of The ABA And NBA Nets
Discover the powerful career of John Williamson, a high-scoring guard who led the Nets to two ABA titles and left a lasting mark in both leagues. Learn how “Super John” became a franchise legend with unforgettable clutch performances.
Jul 25, 20255.6K Shares207.6K Views
He rose from New Mexico State to become one of the most feared scorers in the ABA and early NBA. During his rookie year with the Nets, he helped bring home a championship and earned ABA All Rookie honors by averaging 14.5 points per game. Known for his cold-blooded shooting and clutch play, he delivered one of the most memorable performances in the 1976 ABA Finals, dropping 28 points and sparking a stunning comeback in Game 6. Over his ABA/NBA career, he scored nearly 9,000 points and averaged around 20 points per game, firmly cementing his reputation as a lethal scorer. His iron jaw and scoring skill earned him a place in Nets history, including having his jersey number retired by the franchise.
High School Career
John Williamsonplayed at Wilbur Cross High School in New Haven, Connecticut. His team won the state championship in both 1966–67 and 1967–68. In the 1968 title game, Williamson scored 17 points in a big win. In his senior year (1969–70), he led the nation in scoring with an amazing average of 38.7 points per game. He had a stretch of nine straight games where he scored 40 or more points. That year his team lost in the semifinals 105–103, but he was named a First team Parade All American and became the first player from Connecticut to earn that honor.
College Career
Williamson went on to play college ball at New Mexico State University from 1971 to 1973. He joined former high school teammates Alex Scott and Clint Davis there. In both seasons, he was the team’s top scorer, averaging around 27 points per game. He left college early to turn professional after just two seasons.
Professional Career
John Williamson began his pro career in the 1973–74 season when he signed as a free agent with the New York Nets in the ABA, after being drafted but not kept by the Atlanta Hawks. He became a starter alongside Julius Erving and Larry Kenon, helping the Nets overcome a rough start to win the ABA championship in his rookie year. He was named to the ABA All Rookie team that same season.
Williamson played a key role again in the 1976 ABA Finals. In Game 6, he scored 28 points, 16 of them in the fourth quarter, to help the Nets erase a 22 point deficit and secure the title in the final ABA game ever. He and Erving combined for 59 points that night.
When the Nets joined the NBA in 1976–77, Williamson continued to be a scoring leader. That season, he averaged 20.8 points over 42 games before being traded to the Indiana Pacers mid season. He returned to the Nets partway through the following year, where he averaged 29.5 points over 33 games. In the 1978–79 season, he averaged 22.2 points per game before being traded to the Washington Bullets in early 1980.
Across his ABA and NBA career, Williamson played eight pro seasons (1973–1980). He scored a total of 9,017 points, with an overall average between 11.5 and 29.5 points per game depending on the season. He also recorded 1,274 rebounds and 1,441 assists. On the Nets, he played parts of four full seasons and remaining games in three others, tallying 7,202 points with a franchise average of 17.8 PPG, ranking sixth in all time scoring for the team.
Williamson’s aggressive, physical style earned him the nickname “Super John.” During his prime, fans and teammates praised his forceful drive through defenders, midrange accuracy, and clutch performances, especially the famous Game 6 ABA Finals burst many still remember.
His career declined by 1980 due to weight and health issues, and he never played in the NBA again after his stint with the Bullets. His number 23 jersey was retired by the Nets on December 7, 1990, honoring his place in franchise history.
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