Alumni

Willie grew up in the Bronx and didn’t start playing basketball until he was 15. He played for the New York City Gauchos, where he learned his baby hook shot (El Ganchito), which has been his most potent offensive move during his high school, college, and professional career. Willie attended Salesian High School where he played alongside future N.B.A. lottery pick Eric Mobley. After graduating from Salesian, he received a full scholarship to Champlain Junior College. Two years later he continued his college career at Duquesne University. Starting in 1994 he began his professional playing career overseas. Willie has played in ten different countries. He annually returns to New York every summer to work basketball camps and clinics for kids.

Willie started the program, “Baloncesto Mundial,” in Ourense, Spain. It gives opportunities for immigrant kids, boys and girls, with low family income, a chance to learn basketball. The City Hall and Social Services help fund the program. So far kids come from Senegal, Ecuador, Peru, Ghana, Venezuela, Colombia and China. He also runs a program called "Basket and English." It consists of teaching local kids the game in English. It gives them a chance to learn two things at once.

On Saturday August 2^nd, members of Willie Ladson’s “Basketball and English” program will take on Salesian High School students and alums.