 Long as a member of theNew Mexico Lobos men's basketball team, circa 1971 | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1950-03-01)March 1, 1950 (age 75) Fort Wayne, Indiana, U.S. |
| Listed height | 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) |
| Listed weight | 225 lb (102 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | South Side (Fort Wayne, Indiana) |
| College | New Mexico (1968–1971) |
| NBA draft | 1971: 2nd round, 35th overall pick |
| Drafted by | Cleveland Cavaliers |
| Playing career | 1971–1974 |
| Position | Small forward /power forward |
| Number | 30 |
| Career history | |
| 1971–1972 | The Floridians |
| 1972–1974 | Denver Rockets |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Stats atBasketball Reference  | |
Willie Long (born March 1, 1950) is an American former professionalbasketball player.
Long starred atSouth Side High School inFort Wayne, Indiana, where he earnedIndiana Mr. Basketball honors in 1967 after averaging 25.6 points per game. He led the Archers to the state finals, losing in the semi-finals to traditional Indiana powerLafayette Jefferson. As a junior, he led the Archers to an IHSAA Regional title (the equivalent of the Sweet Sixteen).
Long played college basketball at theUniversity of New Mexico under head coachBob King. Long was the leading scorer for the Lobos in 1969-70 and 1970–71, averaging 23.9 points a game both seasons, leading theWestern Athletic Conference in scoring as a senior.[1] He amassed 1,542 career points and 800 rebounds, averaging 20 points and 10 rebounds a game, ranking #10 in Lobo history in points scored and #4 in rebounds. He was selected All-WAC in 1969-70 and 1970–71 and a Helms All-American in 1970–71.[2]
Long was selected by theCleveland Cavaliers in the second round of the1971 NBA draft, but he never played in the NBA. He instead spent three seasons in theAmerican Basketball Association withThe Floridians and theDenver Rockets. In 213 games over his professional career, he averaged 11.4 points and 6.0 rebounds per game.[3]
In 1999 Long was inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame.[4]
Long later became an executive withTaco Bell, based in Atlanta.[1]