Willie “Mike” McCarter

1965 graduate of Gary Roosevelt High School, he was a key for the Panthers’ semi-state team under HOF coach Bo Mallard…  His noted career at Drake University blossomed as a senior, averaging a team-high 20.4 points and keying the Bulldogs to the 1969 NCAA Final Four… he recorded 24 points and 16 rebounds in their 85-82 national semifinal loss to eventual champion UCLA and averaged 24.3 points in their four NCAA tournament games…  was 1969 1^st team All-American, all-NCAA Final Four and MVP of the NCAA Midwest Regional…  two-time 1^st team Missouri Valley all-conference, he totaled 1,626 career points, setting school records for career field goals (694) and season field goals (272)…  the 12^th pick in the 1969 NBA Draft, he played two seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers and one season with Portland… named to the Missouri Valley Conference All-Centennial Team and had his jersey retired by Drake…  assistant coach at the University of South Dakota and was head coach of the University of Detroit Mercy.