Willie Worsley facts for kids
Worsley in 1966.
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| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | November 13, 1945 Bronx, New York, U.S. |
| High school | DeWitt Clinton (Bronx, New York) |
| Listed height | 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) |
| Listed weight | 175 lb (79 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College | UTEP (1965–1968) |
| NBA Draft | 1966 / Undrafted |
| Career history | |
| 1968–1969 | New York Nets |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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Willie James Worsley, born on November 13, 1945, is a former American basketball player. He was a key guard for the Texas Western Miners team. Even though he was only 5 feet 6 inches tall, he helped his team win the amazing 1966 NCAA championship. This was a very important game in basketball history! After college, he also played for the New York Nets in the ABA.
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Willie Worsley's Basketball Journey
Willie Worsley is famous for being a talented basketball player. He was a guard, which is a player who handles the ball and sets up plays. His story shows that being determined and working hard can lead to great success, no matter your size.
High School Star
Willie played basketball at DeWitt Clinton High School in the Bronx, New York. He was a true leader on the court. In 1963, he led his team to win the New York City Championship. This big game was played in front of a huge crowd at Madison Square Garden. Willie was even named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the championship! His team also had an amazing 38-game winning streak during his time there.
Another famous basketball player, Nate "Tiny" Archibald, looked up to Willie. Nate was two years younger than Willie. Later, they both played together at Texas Western (now UTEP).
College Champion
Willie Worsley played college basketball for the Texas Western Miners. In 1966, his team made history. They won the NCAA championship against a strong team from Kentucky. This was a huge moment because Texas Western was the first team to win the NCAA title with an all-Black starting lineup. It was a big step forward for sports and civil rights.
Willie remembered this victory for a special reason. He said, "It was the only time my mother, Julia, got to see me play. She'd never seen me play at all." This shows how much that game meant to him and his family.
Life After Playing
After his college career, Willie Worsley played 24 games for the New York Nets. This team was part of the ABA, which was another professional basketball league at the time.
Willie later became a coach for young people. He coached at a children's shelter called Woodycrest in the Bronx. He helped run their sports programs. Later, he became a director there. After that, he coached the boys' basketball team at Spring Valley High School in New York.
While still coaching at Spring Valley High, Willie also worked with the famous Boys Choir of Harlem. He became their Dean of Students. In this role, he helped guide and support the young singers.
Willie Worsley in Film
The amazing story of the 1966 championship team was made into a movie. The film is called Glory Road, and it came out in 2006. In the movie, Willie Worsley was played by actor Sam Jones III.
