Willie McCarter

Willie J. McCarter (July 26, 1946 – April 18, 2023) was an American basketball player. A 6-foot-3-inch, 175-pound guard, he played at Drake University, where he averaged 19.9 points per game across three seasons. The Los Angeles Lakers drafted him with the 12th pick in the 1969 NBA draft, and he spent three NBA seasons with the Lakers and the Portland Trail Blazers.

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

On September 23, 2005, McCarter suffered the first of three strokes within nine months, recovering with the help of his doctors. In February 2009, Drake University retired his No. 15 Bulldogs jersey. His younger brother, Andre, also played in the NBA. McCarter died in Jackson, Michigan, on April 18, 2023, at the age of 76.