Willie Long

Who is Willie Long?

Willie Long is an American former professional basketball player.

Long starred at South Side High School in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he earned Indiana Mr. Basketball honors in 1967 after averaging 25.6 points per game during the. He led the Archers to the State Finals, losing in the afternoon semi-final game to traditional Indiana power Lafayette Jeff. As a junior, he led the Archers to an IHSAA Regional title.

He attended the University of New Mexico, where he scored 1,542 career points and led the Western Athletic Conference in scoring as a senior. Playing for long-time college coach Bob King, he led the Lobos to a WAC title in 1968-69. He was the leading scorer for the Lobos in 1969-70 and 1970-71. He ranks at #9 in scoring and #4 in rebounding on the Lobo career lists. He was selected All-WAC in 1969-70 and 1970-71 and a Helms All-American in 1970-71.

Long was selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second round of the 1971 NBA Draft, but he never played in the NBA. He instead spent three seasons in the American Basketball Association as a member of The Floridians and the Denver Rockets. In 213 games over his professional career, he averaged 11.4 points and 6.0 rebounds per game.