ALEXANDRIA TOWNSHIP, N.J. -- A limousine driver was found shot to death Thursday at the estate of former Nets star Jayson Williams, authorities said.

Costas Christofi, 55, was found with a shotgun wound to his chest at 2:54 a.m. inside a bedroom in the home, about 30 miles northwest of Trenton, Acting Hunterdon County Prosecutor Steven C. Lember said.

Christofi had been hired by Williams to transport friends from a sporting event in Bethlehem, Pa., to a restaurant in Hunterdon County, and then to Williams' home. Williams, his brother Vincent and about 10 guests were in the home at the time of the shooting, Lember said.

State police Sgt. Al Della Fave originally said the Harlem Globetrotters and a group of Lehigh students were at the house. However, Della Fave later said that was incorrect and neither group was present.

The death was reported to authorities as a suicide, and police were investigating how the shooting occurred. State police Della Fave said Williams, now a studio commentator for NBC's NBA telecasts, has a skeet shooting range on the property and shotguns.

No one answered a call at Williams house Thursday afternoon. The 30,000-square-foot home, dubbed the "Who Knew?" estate by Williams and his friends, sits on 65 acres in a rural area.

Williams, once one of the NBA's best rebounders, retired after a nine-year career cut short by leg injuries. His last game was April 1, 1999, when he broke his right leg and injured his right knee in a collision with Stephon Marbury.

Williams averaged 7.3 points and 7.5 rebounds for his career.

He played at St. John's and spent his first two NBA seasons with the 76ers. He was traded to the Nets in 1992.

The 6-foot-10 center was an All-Star in 1997-98, when he averaged 13.4 points and 13.5 rebounds.