Will Cherry is a professional basketball player from the United States who currently plays for Skyliners Frankfurt in the German Basketball Bundesliga.
The athlete was named Big Sky Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 2012 and 2013 while playing college basketball for the University of Montana.
During his professional career, Cherry has played for six different European teams and two NBA Development League (G-League) teams, as well as a brief stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
According to Will, his favorite moment of his career thus far was his rookie season in Lithuania with Zalgiris Kaunas, one of the EuroLeague’s oldest teams. Cherry and his team won the Lithuanian Basketball League title for the fourth time in a row.
Cherry is optimistic about the future, having already completed eight seasons and feeling like he’s in his prime.
The basketball player has enjoyed many challenges and obstacles which he faced during his playing career, and he believes they have left an indelible impression on him.
Cherry has gained a lot of knowledge, but he would not trade the experience for anything. And the athlete is not even close to being finished.
In this article, we will discuss everything there’s about the basketball player. But before getting into details, let us look at the quick facts about him.
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Will Cherry |
| Nickname | Not Available |
| Birth Date | February 8, 1981 |
| Birth Place | Oakland, California |
| Residence | Not Available |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | African American |
| Education | McClymonds (Oakland, California) and Montana (2009–2013) |
| Zodiac Sign | Aquarius |
| Father’s Name | Not Available |
| Mother’s Name | Yvette Martin |
| Siblings | 1 (brother) |
| Age | 41 years old |
| Height | 6 feet 1 inch |
| Weight | 176 lb (80 kg) |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Body Type | Athletic |
| Profession | Basketball Player |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Wife | Joycie Pooh |
| Children | 2, Logan |
| Active since | 2013–present |
| Teams |
|
| Endorsements | Not Available |
| Net Worth | $1.5 million |
| NBA Draft Pick | 2013/Undrafted |
| Position | Point Guard |
| League | Basketball Bundesliga |
| Merch of Cleveland Cavaliers | Hoodie |
| Social Media | Instagram, Twitter |
| Last Update | July 2022 |
Early Life & Family
Cherry was born in the city of Oakland in the state of California. Yvette Martin, his mother, raised him alone.
Martin gave birth to the basketball player early while in high school. She didn’t attend college. In addition, she raised Cherry and her younger brother in a violent neighborhood.
His mother began her career at a bus station and is now one of her community’s most respected social workers.
“My mother made sure we had everything we needed at all times. She helped me get into good basketball programs and kept me out of trouble by putting me in a situation where I could be the best person I could be,” the athlete said in an interview.
Cherry is an athlete today due to her, and he gives her full credit.
“Every day, I thank my mother for preventing my brothers and me from engaging in violence. She is a hero, to be sure,” he stated regarding his mother.
Martin, on the other hand, paid no attention to the skeptics. She insisted on order and structure in her home. Martin steered her sons toward the many positive aspects of the West Oakland neighborhood. She emphasized faith while also demanding excellence.
Martin did not throw a party for Cherry when he brought home an elementary school report card with straight A’s. Every semester, she expected it.
Cherry was only allowed to have a cellphone if he maintained a 3.5 GPA in high school.
Supportive Mother
Cherry was in sixth grade when he approached a teacher and told him that his dream of playing in the NBA was a pipe dream.
After learning of the incident, Martin promised to support him when he told her as a child that he wanted to play professional basketball. She drove to the school and approached the teacher for a private conversation.
“You don’t tell this child he can’t make it,” she told him.
Not only that, she assisted Cherry in remaining focused. Yvette told him that he needed to get serious if he truly wanted to play at the highest levels. She took him to a nearby recreation center to practice.
When he was in high school, she conducted mock interviews with him. She criticized his demeanor and responses to questions she assumed reporters would pose to him at some point.
Early Career
Cherry went to Oakland, California’s McClymonds High School. For the undefeated (33–0) Warriors, he averaged 12.0 points, 5.0 assists, a league-leading 4.0 steals, and 8.0 rebounds per game as a senior, earning him league and team MVP honors.
Will averaged 12.8 points on.430 shooting, 3.4 assists, 2.3 steals, and 3.6 rebounds in 30.7 minutes per game for the Montana Grizzlies in 116 career collegiate games (104 starts).
He was named first-team All-Big Sky Conference three times, he was named Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year in 2011–12 and 2012–13.
Moreover, he ranks seventh all-time in scoring with 1,484 points.
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Professional Career
Will joined the New Orleans Pelicans for the 2013 NBA Summer League after going undrafted in the 2013 NBA draft. The athlete was acquired by the Canton Charge of the NBA Development League on February 13, 2014.
The point guard joined the Cleveland Cavaliers for the 2014 NBA Summer League in July 2014. He signed with the Toronto Raptors on August 3, 2014.
However, on October 25, 2014, he was waived by the Raptors. Cherry was re-acquired by the Canton Charge on November 2, 2014.
He signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers later that day. The Cavaliers waived the point guard on November 30, 2014, after appearing in eight games and averaging 1.9 points and one assist per game.
Cherry signed a contract with Zalgiris Kaunas of Lithuania for the remainder of the season on December 7, 2014. He helped Zalgiris win the LKL championship for the fifth time in a row on June 6, 2015.
Will with Different Teams
Cherry joined the San Antonio Spurs for the 2015 NBA Summer League in July 2015.
He signed with Alba Berlin of Germany for the 2015–16 season on September 1, 2015. In 2016, he won the German Cup with Alba.
Cherry joined Gaziantep Basketbol of the Turkish Basketball Super League in August 2016. He signed with Croatian club Cedevita Zagreb for the 2017–18 season on July 29, 2017.
The point guard joined the Golden State Warriors on October 8, 2018. But only after three days, he was released.
The Warriors’ G League affiliate, the Santa Cruz Warriors, added him to their roster. He averaged 9.1 points, 4.2 assists, and 1.6 steals per game in 46 games for the Warriors.
Present Team
Cherry signed a one-year contract with Olympiacos of the Greek Basket League on April 13, 2019. He signed a one-year contract extension with Olympiacos on July 23, 2019.
Will and Olympiacos officially parted ways on January 15, 2020. On January 26, he signed with Pallacanestro Reggiana of Lega Basket Serie A (LBA).
Furthermore, he made one appearance for Hapoel Eilat of the Israeli Basketball Premier League in 2021.
He signed with Cluj of the Romanian Liga Națională on September 29, 2021. Cherry signed with Skyliners Frankfurt of the German Basketball Bundesliga on October 30, 2021.
Strength of Cherry
Will Cherry is a tough defender who takes pride in his work. He is an excellent on-ball defender.
He’s also great in the passing lanes, having been one of the best steal artists in the NCAA during his time at Montana. He has a great ball sense and contributes well on the glass for a PG.
Furthermore, for the majority of his career, Will played significant minutes while primarily guarding the opposing team’s best player. Offensively, he has some penetrating ability. Will was aggressive in his approach to the line.
As a senior, he significantly reduced fouls. Will has improved as a passer and is able to enlist the help of his teammates.
He exhibited leadership qualities by leading the Griz to two consecutive NCAA Tournament berths in the Big Sky Conference.
The player is extremely quick, both with and without the ball. Cherry is a strong competitor who isn’t afraid of contact.
Awards & Achievements
- Lithuanian League champion (2015)
- Croatian League champion (2018)
- German Cup winner (2016)
- Croatian Cup winner (2018)
- ABA League Supercup winner (2017)
- Croatian Cup MVP (2018)
- 3× First-team All-Big Sky (2011–2013)
- 2× Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year (2012, 2013)
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Injury
Will Cherry, a former top defender for Montana and a candidate for conference player of the year, was out for 6-8 weeks after reportedly breaking his foot in late 2012. This impacted the national level all the way down to the Big Sky Conference race.
According to Missoula reporter Shaun Rainey’s tweets, it was a broken foot. This type of injury derailed his season and hampered his ability to play at the level he had previously demonstrated.
Cherry was inspired by Damian Lillard, a former Big Sky teammate who went on to be drafted first overall in the NBA Draft after a productive season in the Big Sky.
That year, his goal was to repeat the feat, and he was already regarded as a conference player of the year candidate and one of the top 100 players in the country.
Wife & Kids
Will Cherry is married to Joycie Pooh. She is a licensed esthetician. The basketball player often posts pictures with her on his social media.
The 6’1″ athlete is the father of two young daughters, the oldest of whom, Logan, is only three years old.
“It’s been crazy; my oldest child is a character and looks exactly like me,” Cherry said during the 2020 interview.
Cherry has always valued family and community, and he was excited to have another opportunity with an NBA team close to home in the 2018-19 season.
Will Cherry: Age, Height & Weight
The basketball player is 41 years old, having been born on February 8, 1981.
In terms of exterior features, he is of average height compared to other NBA players, i.e., 6 feet 1 inch and weighs 80 kilograms.
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Will, on the other hand, has tattoos covering his entire body. The player has brown eyes and dark brown hair. He is of African-American ancestry and holds American citizenship.
The athlete was born under the astrological sign of Aquarius.
Will Cherry: Net Worth
According to different sources, Will Cherry’s net worth is estimated to be around $1.5 million. He primarily earns as a professional basketball player.
Will Cherry: Controversy
A former Montana guard was arrested in downtown Missoula in 2013, allegedly for disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. Missoula police also detained sophomore guard Keron DeShields and a third man.
DeShields was charged with disorderly conduct, while Jason Shawn Snyder was charged with marijuana possession and drug paraphernalia.
The incident happened at 2:04 a.m. on April 27 in a Front Street bar. According to the Missoulian, local cops responded to a report of a fight between the three men, and Cherry – a three-time All-Big Sky selection – had to be tased before submitting.
He spent an hour in jail without being charged, and he has no criminal history. According to Cherry, he was later released because there was no reason to arrest him.
“I’m a guy who defends his friends and the players on the team. They are my family, and there’s nothing I won’t do for them.”
“I’m a big-hearted guy who doesn’t always understand me. I have a soft spot for my friends, and I can’t be blamed for it,” he stated after the incident.
Social Media
FAQs
Is Will Cherry a good basketball player?
Cherry is recognized as a good basketball player with remarkable skills. In 2013, the two-time Big Sky defensive player of the year finished in the top-10 all-time scorers for the Grizzlies, capping off a stellar career at Montana.
