NBL legend Corey ‘Homicide’ Williams makes appearance amid cancer battle

Beloved basketball legend and commentator Corey Williams has delighted fans with a public appearance amid is ongoing cancer battle.

Beloved basketball commentator Corey ‘Homicide’ Williams has delighted Aussie fans with a rare public appearance at an NBL game amid his ongoing cancer battle.

Williams played for both Melbourne United and the Townsville Crocs in the NBL, winning the league’s MVP award in 2010 before carving out a career in Australia as a commentator renowned for his passion and hot takes.

Watch every game of the NBL season LIVE with ESPN on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start Your Free Trial Today >

But in the 44-year-old revealed earlier this year he was suffering from stage four colon cancer and returned to America to undergo chemotherapy treatment in New York.

Williams has been absent from NBL commentary this season but made his return to the league, attending Thursday night’s game between Melbourne United and South East Melbourne Phoenix.

The man known as ‘Homicide’ was sitting courtside at John Cain Arena, enjoying the action and explained he had returned to Australia to continue his treatment.

“Man I miss you all too,” he said.

“Thank god I’m here. Grateful but it’s a new chapter in this journey I’m going through. I feel good. I’m happy and things are going the right way. That’s all I can ask for right now.

“I’m glad I decided to come back to Melbourne to get healed and healthy because it’s been so peaceful for me and that’s half the battle.

Corey Homicide Williams was back courtside at an NBL game. (Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images)

Andrew Gaze, Corey 'Homicide' Williams and Trevor Gleeson.

“I’m feeling good. This is my first game back. I miss it. I watch the games back at home. Everybody’s doing a great job. I’m loving what I’m seeing basketball wise on and off the court — storylines, the commentary, just everything.

“In my DMs, I still haven’t finished responding back — that’s how many people hit me up.

“Thank you to the NBL, saying ‘Corey, we’ve got your back 100 per cent. Whatever you need. We are here. We got you’. I appreciate you all.”

ESPN’s Neroli Meadows said: “We love you. The whole stadium, every fan in here and around the country. We miss you dearly and Corey may I say, we appreciate you my friend.”

We have all missed you @chomicide 💚 pic.twitter.com/g7uss2m2vK

— NBL (@NBL) December 15, 2023

Gosh I love ya @chomicide! https://t.co/pBfCsihjBD

— Neroli Meadows (@Neroli_Meadows) December 14, 2023

United, top of the ladder and in imperious form, ran riot to win 106-78, registering their third win over Phoenix this season.

Phoenix had no answer to the domination of United twin towers Jo Lual-Acuil Jr and Ariel Hukporti.

Lual-Acuil Jr was particularly dominant on the defensive end, recording seven blocks, before taking over on the offensive end in the fourth to finish with 17 points and eight rebounds.

United will enter Saturday night’s clash with Adelaide 36ers as the clear title favourite on the back of this performance, improving to 12-3 on the season.

Phoenix is 8-7 and will need to improve significantly to get within a bull’s roar of United, but will be stronger next time out with new import Abdel Nader, a forward with NBA experience, signed.

With only two days before their next game against Illawarra on Saturday night in Traralgon, Phoenix’s woes could be compounded after Mitch Creek went off with a jarred knee in the fourth.

— With Lance Jenkinson, NCA Newswire