2012-13 Men's Basketball Roster
Will Cherry
- Year:
- Senior
- Hometown:
- West Oakland, Calif.
Will at a glance: Will is a great scorer and defender, and was expected to start for the fourth year in a row in 2012-13, but he injured his foot in a pick-up basketball game in late September, and is not expected to begin competing until early December this season.
He's played in 94 career games and started in 83. He begins his senior year as the all-time leader in school history with 223 career steals, is 11th in career assists, and 14th in career scoring with 1,191 points. He has scored in double figures in 60 games. He has been a member of two Griz teams (2009-10 and 2011-12) that have advanced to the NCAA tournament.
His 223 career steals rank him fifth in Big Sky Conference history, and he needs 61 more to pass the all-time leader (282, DaShawn Freeman, Sacramento State, 2002-06). Cherry holds the league's postseason record with 20 career steals.
2011-12: He had another exceptional season and was named to the Lou Henson Mid-Major All-American team, as well as to the CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Defensive All-America team. He led the Big Sky and was ranked sixth in Division 1 (338 teams), averaging 2.6 steals (83 in 32 games) per game.
He was tabbed a first team All-Big Sky selection (he was a unanimous selection as a junior) for the second year in a row and named to the All-District VIII team. He was the co-recipient (with forward Art Steward) of the John Eaheart Award (Outstanding Defensive Player) for the third consecutive season, and the co-recipient of Montana's Carl Dragstedt Award (MVP), sharing it with guard-forward Kareem Jamar.
He was fourth in the league in scoring (15.8 ppg), sixth in minutes played a game (33.8), seventh (tie) in assists (3.3), 10th (tie) in three-pointers made per game (1.6), and 11th in free throw percentage (76.0%).
2010-11: He a first team All-Big Sky pick, and seventh in the league in scoring, averaging 14.1 points a game. He led the conference and was ranked ninth in the nation in steals (2.6 per game). He was third in the Big Sky in assists (4.3 apg). He was the recipient of the John Eaheart Award.
2009-10: He had a break-out season as a true freshman, playing in all 32 games and starting in 22...was the team's fourth leading scorer at 8.3 points a game... named to the Mid-Major Freshman All-American team by CollegeInsider.com....ranked fourth in the Big Sky and 52nd in the nation with 1.9 steals per game...15th in the Big Sky with 2.4 assists per contest...an honorable mention all-league pick...co-recipient of the John Eaheart Award with center Brian Qvale.
High School: He averaged 12.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and a league-leading 4.0 steals a game as a senior for the undefeated (33-0) McClymonds High School Warriors, who were ranked eighth in the nation his senior year...scored a game-high 19 points and grabbed 14 rebounds in the state championship game...his Bay Area team was the first East Bay squad in 38 years to complete an unbeaten season... league and team MVP as a senior and also served as team captain that year...his high school coaches were Dwight Nathaniel and Brandon Brooks.
Personal: Will's mom is Yvette Martin of Oakland. He is a business major. Birth date: February 8, 1991.
Cherry's Career Highs
Points: 30 at Northern Colorado, 2/9/12
Rebounds: 11 vs. Idaho, 11/17/11
Field goals: 12 at Northern Colorado, 2/9/12
Field goal attempts: 20 at Northern Colorado, 2/9/12 & 20 at North Dakota, 11/23/11
3-point field goals: 4 vs. Idaho, 11/17/11 & 4 at Sac State, 1/8/11
3-point field goal attempts: 8 at North Dakota, 11/23/11
Free throws: 12 at Sac State, 2/11/12
Free throw attempts: 15 at Sac State, 2/11/12
Assists: 10 at Portland State, 2/24/11
Blocks: 2 in Two Games
Steals: 9 vs. Great Falls, 12/10/10
Minutes played: 43 at North Dakota, 11/23/11 & 43 at E. Washington, 2/26/11
A PERSONAL LOOK AT WILL:
Favorite Food: Baked Mac and cheese.
Favorite class: Native American Sports and Games.
Favorite book: Road to Ecstasy.
Favorite TV show: Jersey Shore.
Favorite movie: Love & Basketball.
Favorite musical group: Young Money.
If a movie were made of my life, I would like the following actor to play me: Morris Chestnut.
The person in history I would most like to meet is: Michael Jordan.
Favorite sport other than basketball: Football.
Favorite sports figure: LaBron James.
Many people don't know this, but I: love Nickelodeon cartoons.
My greatest moment in sports was: Hosting the tournament last year and winning it.
If I were not playing college hoops, I would be: in another college.
The best player I ever faced was: Damian Lillard.
The thing I like best about Montana basketball is: The fans.
The thing that impresses me about Coach Tinkle: how he gets the crowd involved.
My advice to youngsters is: work hard at everything and you will do fine in life.
My future goals are: To make it to the N.B.A.
Year:G-S-Min-Avg.-FG-FGA-Pct.-3-PT-Att.-Pct.-FT-FTA-Pct.-O-D-REBS.=Avg.-PF-FO-A-TO- BLK-STL-PTS=Avg.
2009-10: 32-22-728-22.8-100-229-.437-6-35-.171-58-106-.547-16-73-89=2.8-59-2-78-57-61-264=8.3
2010-11:30-29-1032-34.4-139-326-.426-23-102-.225-121-166-.729-22-97-109=3.6-66-1- 128-68-7-79-422=14.1
2011-12:32-32-1082-33.8-161-362-.445-51-137-.372-132-169-.781-20-104-124=3.9-80-1- 105-90-11-83-505=15.8
TOTAL: 94-83-2842-30.2-400-917-.436-80-274-.292-311-441-.705-48-274-322=3.4-205-4- 311-215-25-223-1,191=12.7
