Former basketball player Willie Cager did not play in the NBA.
Although Cager was drafted by the Baltimore Bullets in the 12th round of the 1968 NBA Draft, after his college career, he never competed as a professional, partly due to a heart condition.
The Bronx native Cager played collegiate basketball at Texas Western (now UTEP).
He was among the 1966 Texas Western (now UTEP) college basketball team that won the 1966 National Championship. In Texas Western’s championship game victory, Cager had eight points and six rebounds. The school’s website describes him as “A skilled low post player” during his career.
During the 1965–1966 season, Cager suffered from a heart murmur, so when he recovered enough to play, Texas Western was compelled to use him sparingly, in four-minute shifts.
Willie Cager appeared in 77 contests for the Miners from 1964-1968 and averaged 8.5 points and 5.3 rebounds while playing under Hall of Fame coach Haskins.
Despite not playing in the NBA, Cager made a home in El Paso and became a fixture in the community. He worked as the coordinator of the Ysleta Independent School District’s After School Basketball Program.
Cager also launched the Willie Cager Foundation, which aims to fund building construction in El Paso.
In March of 2022, the Willie Cager Endowed Basketball Scholarship was announced by the Miner Athletic Club. The scholarship is funded by donor Don Scott to honor Cager.
Willie Cager died on Sunday, March 19, 2023, at age 81 in El Paso, United States.