Ex-NBA Player Jayson Williams To Speak At Camden County Vigil For Addiction

BLACKWOOD, NJ — Jayson Williams, a former NBA player who's sought to help others following a string of legal incidents, will speak next week at Camden County's vigil for people lost to addiction.

Williams competed for the 76ers and the Nets throughout the 1990s. In 2002, he was charged in the accidental shooting death of limousine driver Costas "Gus" Christofi.

As the case lingered, Williams was accused of several other offenses, including an alleged assault during a bar fight and a crash that landed him a DWI. In 2010, Williams pleaded guilty to aggravated assault in Christofi's death and served 27 months in prison.

Since then, Williams founded the Rebound Institute, which offers counseling and services to help people rediscover their true selves.

Williams will serve as keynote speaker for the Camden County Remembrance and Hope Memorial Vigil, sharing his story of recovery. The event begins at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in Timber Creek Park (236 Taylor Ave. and Chews Landing Road, Blackwood).

"The Camden County Board of Commissioners and the Addiction Awareness Task Force invite family and friends to remember the loved ones we lost and spread the message of hope to those still fighting the disease of addiction," the event listing says. "Help raise awareness of the crisis we're facing within our community."

The vigil is rain or shine. Click here for more event info.