DETROIT (5/9/2023) -- The University of Detroit Mercy is in mourning after learning that former head men's basketball coach Willie McCarter recently passed away.

McCarter entered eternal life on April 18, 2023, in Jackson, Michigan.

McCarter was an assistant coach under Smokey Gaines in 1978-79 when the Titans were 22-6 and earned a bid to the NCAA Tournament. He then took over as head coach and went 33-46, coaching the likes of Earl Cureton, Jerry Davis and Joe Kopicki.

He was a two-time All-American basketball standout at Drake in college and was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers with the 12th pick in the 1969 NBA draft before playing three seasons with the Lakers and Portland Trail Blazers. 

After injuries ended his career, he went on to coach high school at Harper Creek High School in Battle Creek and at Ottawa Hills High School in Grand Rapids and was also an assistant coach for a season at North Dakota State.