Willie McCarter

Willie J. McCarter (July 26, 1946 – April 18, 2023) was an American basketball player. He was a 6'3" (1.90 m) 175 lb (79 kg) guard. He played at Drake University, averaging 19.9 ppg in three seasons. He was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers with the 12th pick in the 1969 NBA draft, and played three seasons with the Lakers and Portland Trail Blazers.

Willie McCarter
McCarter in 1971
Personal information
Born(1946-07-26)July 26, 1946
Gary, Indiana, U.S.
DiedApril 18, 2023(2023-04-18) (aged 76)
Jackson, Michigan, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Listed weight175 lb (79 kg)
Career information
High schoolTheodore Roosevelt
(Gary, Indiana)
CollegeDrake (1966–1969)
NBA draft1969: 1st round, 12th overall pick
Selected by the Los Angeles Lakers
Playing career1969–1973
PositionShooting guard
Number15, 17
Career history
1969–1971Los Angeles Lakers
1971–1972Portland Trail Blazers
1973Grand Rapids Tackers
Career highlights and awards
Career NBA statistics
Points1,090 (7.0 ppg)
Rebounds248 (1.6 rpg)
Assists304 (2.0 apg)
Stats  at NBA.com
Stats  at Basketball-Reference.com

After his NBA career ended in 1972, he became the coach at Harper Creek High School in Battle Creek, Michigan.[1] In January 1973, he signed to play with the Grand Rapids Tackers of the Continental Basketball Association, playing only when it did not conflict with his coaching.[2] McCarter later served as head coach at the University of Detroit Mercy for three seasons from 1979 to 1982, replacing Smokey Gaines after Gaines was hired as the head basketball coach at San Diego State University.

On September 23, 2005, McCarter suffered the first of three strokes within nine months. With the help of his doctors, he recovered.[3]

In February 2009, Drake University retired his No. 15 Bulldogs jersey.[4]

McCarter's younger brother Andre also played in the NBA.[5]

McCarter died in Jackson, Michigan, on April 18, 2023, at the age of 76. His former teammate Dolph Pulliam was with him at the time of his death.[6]

Head coaching record
Statistics overview
Season Team Overall Conference Standing Postseason
Detroit Mercy Titans (Midwestern City Conference) (1979–1982)
1979–80 Detroit Titans 14–13
1980–81 Detroit Titans 9–181–56th
1981–82 Detroit Titans 10–176–65th
Detroit: 33–48 (.407)7–11 (.389)
Total:33–48 (.407)

      National champion         Postseason invitational champion  
      Conference regular season champion         Conference regular season and conference tournament champion
      Division regular season champion       Division regular season and conference tournament champion
      Conference tournament champion

References
  1. Frank, Bill (December 24, 1972). "Coach Willie McCarter feels zone defense on way out". Battle Creek Enquirer. p. C-4. Retrieved February 4, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. Frank, Bill (January 7, 1973). "Once Over Lightly". Battle Creek Enquirer. p. C-4. Retrieved February 4, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. Mundy, Chip (March 20, 2008). "Stroke victim hopes he and his team are in for a long run". Jackson Citizen Patriot. Retrieved March 11, 2009.
  4. Andrew Logue. "Drake men's basketball: Bulldogs' hoops legends honored". Des Moines Register. February 22, 2009. Retrieved on March 11, 2009.
  5. "Collegiate Record Winning Streak In Serious Jeopardy Now". The News-Palladium. March 27, 1972. p. 16. Retrieved February 4, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. Fales, Andy (April 20, 2023). "Drake basketball legend Willie McCarter dies". who13.com. Retrieved April 23, 2023.


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