Grizzly Sports Hall of Fame
Will Cherry
- Induction:
- 2026
- Class:
- 2013
Will Cherry was one of the premiere mid-major guards in the nation as a Grizzly, and a leader on some of Montana's most successful basketball teams in program history. During his four-year career, the Griz set a then school record 14-straight wins in the 2011-12 season, went 93-35 overall, 55-11 in the Big Sky, 6-2 against Montana State, and 8-1 in the Big Sky Tournament. The program won two Big Sky Regular Season Championships (2012, 2013) and three Big Sky Tournament Championships (2010, 2012, 2013) to make three NCAA Tournament appearances. In his junior and senior seasons alone, the Grizzlies went a combined 34–2 in conference play, posting records of 15–1 and 19–1 respectively, an unprecedented run in one of the most successful programs in Big Sky history.
As of his induction Cherry remained the team's all-time steals leader with 265 in his career, ranks 12th on the all-time scoring list with 1,484 points, and sixth in career assists with 397, making him one of only five players in program history to record 1,000 points, 300 rebounds, and 300 assists at the time.
He was a three-time First Team All–Big Sky Conference selection, a two-time Big Sky Conference Defensive Player of the Year and earned three All-Tournament Team honors. He was named to the NABC All-District First Team in both 2011–12 and 2012–13, the Lou Hensen Mid-Major All-American Team following the 2012–13 season, and the CollegeInsider.com All-American Team following the 2009–10 season. He was selected as the Carl E. Dragstedt Award winner (Team MVP) in 2011–12 and received the John Eaheart Memorial Award for Outstanding Defensive Player four times.
He was a leader on Montana teams that ended Weber State's season in three consecutive years (2010, 2011, 2012) – twice in the Big Sky Championship game – during the era in which Damian Lillard, later named one of the 75 greatest NBA players of all time, was a star for the Wildcats.
Cherry earned his bachelor's degree in communications in four years, becoming the first male in his family to earn a college diploma.
Following graduation, he has gone on to a long and successful professional career in the top European leagues after a short eight-game stint in the NBA with the Cleveland Cavaliers and another stop in the G League with Santa Cruz where he played in 46 games and averaged 9 points and 4.2 assists per game.
Overseas, he won a Lithuanian League championship in 2015 with Zalgiris Kaunas, a German Cup championship in 2016 with Alba Berlin, an ABA League Supercup in 2017 with Gaziantep in Turkey, and a Croatian League championship in 2018 with Cedevita Zagreb when he was named Croation Cup MVP. He recently completed his 12th season in Europe playing for Boulazac Basket Dordogne at the highest level of professional basketball in France.
Quoting Cherry: "It's amazing to be inducted into the Grizzly Sports Hall of Fame. It's very telling of the hard work and dedication I put into this sport and craft of mine. It's also a testament to my teammates, coaches, and especially my mom, who had a hand in all this from day one. This honor isn't just for me it's for all of them.
"Everything I do is for my friends and family. I know it's much bigger than me, so I'm glad to represent everybody in my life who's had a hand in my journey."
As of his induction Cherry remained the team's all-time steals leader with 265 in his career, ranks 12th on the all-time scoring list with 1,484 points, and sixth in career assists with 397, making him one of only five players in program history to record 1,000 points, 300 rebounds, and 300 assists at the time.
He was a three-time First Team All–Big Sky Conference selection, a two-time Big Sky Conference Defensive Player of the Year and earned three All-Tournament Team honors. He was named to the NABC All-District First Team in both 2011–12 and 2012–13, the Lou Hensen Mid-Major All-American Team following the 2012–13 season, and the CollegeInsider.com All-American Team following the 2009–10 season. He was selected as the Carl E. Dragstedt Award winner (Team MVP) in 2011–12 and received the John Eaheart Memorial Award for Outstanding Defensive Player four times.
He was a leader on Montana teams that ended Weber State's season in three consecutive years (2010, 2011, 2012) – twice in the Big Sky Championship game – during the era in which Damian Lillard, later named one of the 75 greatest NBA players of all time, was a star for the Wildcats.
Cherry earned his bachelor's degree in communications in four years, becoming the first male in his family to earn a college diploma.
Following graduation, he has gone on to a long and successful professional career in the top European leagues after a short eight-game stint in the NBA with the Cleveland Cavaliers and another stop in the G League with Santa Cruz where he played in 46 games and averaged 9 points and 4.2 assists per game.
Overseas, he won a Lithuanian League championship in 2015 with Zalgiris Kaunas, a German Cup championship in 2016 with Alba Berlin, an ABA League Supercup in 2017 with Gaziantep in Turkey, and a Croatian League championship in 2018 with Cedevita Zagreb when he was named Croation Cup MVP. He recently completed his 12th season in Europe playing for Boulazac Basket Dordogne at the highest level of professional basketball in France.
Quoting Cherry: "It's amazing to be inducted into the Grizzly Sports Hall of Fame. It's very telling of the hard work and dedication I put into this sport and craft of mine. It's also a testament to my teammates, coaches, and especially my mom, who had a hand in all this from day one. This honor isn't just for me it's for all of them.
"Everything I do is for my friends and family. I know it's much bigger than me, so I'm glad to represent everybody in my life who's had a hand in my journey."
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