Carlisle Towery

William Carlisle Towery (June 20, 1920 – November 25, 2012), nicknamed "Blackie" or "Big Boy", was an American professional basketball player.

A power forward-center, Towery played for the Western Kentucky University Hilltoppers from 1938 to 1941. He was a two-time All-America selection and the first Hilltopper to score 1,000 points. He also led the Hilltoppers to three Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association titles.

After graduating, Towery began his professional career with the Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons of the National Basketball League. He played three seasons with the Pistons before entering military service in World War II, where he earned a Bronze Star as an infantryman.

In 2003, Western Kentucky University retired his #42 college jersey. He became the sixth Hilltopper to receive such honors.

BAA/NBA career statistics Legend GP Games played FG% Field-goal percentage FT% Free-throw percentage APG Assists per game PPG Points per game Bold Career high

Regular season Year Team GP FG% FT% APG PPG 1948–49 Fort Wayne 22 .259 .712 1.6 7.5 1948–49 Indianapolis 38 .265 .753 3.6 11.5 Baltimore 68 .327 .757 2.1 8.8Career 128 .293 .748 2.4 9.4