Jayson Williams’ daughters are speaking out against their father’s induction into the St. John’s Athletics Hall of Fame.
The former NBA All-Star, who served time in prison after the accidental shooting death of his driver, is set to be inducted during the school’s homecoming on Saturday.
Tryumph and Whizdom Williams wrote open letters to St. John’s that were obtained by the Associated Press denouncing the induction.
Whizdom, 18, wrote that her father was an alcoholic and “a deadbeat father who lacks any sense of remorse.”
Both sisters accused their father of abuse — verbal and emotional — and neglect. Tryumph, 19, said that her father once locked her sister in a trash chute.
“Why are you being honored and inducted into the hall of fame when I’ve always had to earn my survival, let alone my success, in spite of you? St. John’s University — you should be ashamed of yourself,” Tryumph wrote to her father.
In 2002, Jayson Williams shot his limousine driver, Costas Christofi, at the former’s home in New Jersey. Williams had been showing a 12-gauge shotgun to friends but did not properly check the gun; after turning toward Christofi who was a few feet away he snapped the barrel shut and the gun fired. After Christofi was shot, Williams attempted to make it look like he had shot himself. Williams’ lawyer contended that the shooting was an accident and that the attempted cover-up was a panic reaction.
In 2010, Williams pled guilty to aggravated assault.
The daughters said that Williams never made amends with them in the incident’s aftermath.
“I knew that I couldn’t change who my father was or the way he viewed and treated me,” Whizdom wrote. “I knew that the contrition and apologies were never coming.”
In 2019, Williams told The Post he had been sober for more than three years, and expressed regret about his relationship with his daughters.
“When my kids tell me you have not put enough time in to be my dad, I understand I haven’t been in their lives,” Williams said. “I have not learned with my own family to make it work. Does that eat me up inside? Yes.
“I love helping people get better. … But I have not done a good job as a father. I’m a great brother. I’m a great friend. But I’m not a good father.”
A St. John’s spokesperson told the AP they plan to go along with the ceremony.
“Jayson Williams’s life journey is one that includes childhood trauma, time spent in a homeless shelter, addiction, incarceration, and recovery; issues that impact countless American families. The family dynamic between Jayson and his children is not a matter that St. John’s University will discuss,” St. John’s said in a statement.
“Part of the recovery and redemption process is restoring trust, accepting help, and finding comfort and support in the journey and that, coupled with his athletic accomplishments, is what St. John’s University recognizes with Jayson Williams during this Homecoming weekend.”
Williams played at St. John’s from 1987 through 1990. He played his first two NBA seasons with the Sixers, then his final seven for the Nets.