Pat Williams, the basketball executive who helped bring the NBA’s Orlando Magic to Florida, passed away at the age of 84. His team announced in a statement that his death was due to complications from viral pneumonia.

Williams was instrumental in bringing the Orlando Magic to life, starting with his meeting with Orlando businessman Jim Hewitt while he was the general manager of the Philadelphia 76ers. This partnership led to the successful establishment of an NBA expansion team in Orlando in 1987, with the Magic playing their inaugural season in 1989.

Although the Magic have not yet clinched an NBA title, they have made it to the playoffs 17 times in 35 seasons and secured the Eastern Conference championship twice, in 1995 and 2009.

Williams began his sports career in baseball as a minor league catcher before transitioning to executive roles with the Philadelphia Phillies and Minnesota Twins. In 1968, he made the switch to basketball with the Sixers, embarking on a career that spanned over four decades primarily with the Magic as their general manager and senior vice president.

During his tenure, Williams oversaw the drafting of legendary players like Shaquille O’Neal and Dwight Howard, as well as notable trades for stars such as Penny Hardaway and the signing of Tracy McGrady.

In recognition of his contributions to the sport, Williams was honored with the John W. Bunn Lifetime Achievement Award by the Naismith Hall of Fame in 2012 and inducted into the Magic’s Hall of Fame as part of its inaugural class.

After retiring in 2019, Williams leaves behind his wife Ruth and their 19 children, 14 of whom were adopted from foreign countries, as his lasting legacy.