Former Purdue All-Big Ten guard Willie Deane answering the call

Former Purdue All-Big Ten guard Willie Deane may have been the fastest Boilermaker guard from baseline to baseline, ever. And that is saying something.

So, it is safe to say that Deane knows a thing or two about the transition game, in basketball and life.

The 2002 Big Ten scoring (average) leader has come a long way, and that has been a consistent theme throughout his life.

Consider this: Deane was the key cog on his state championship team in his home of Schenectady, New York. That spawned an opportunity to go to Boston College on scholarship. But it didn’t work out for him after a year in Chestnut Hill, and Deane wondered what was next. Well, what was next was that his father had taken a new job in Fort Wayne, and Willie decided to enroll at Purdue as a regular student.

But he hadn’t lost his love for hoops. He befriended Ukari Figgs, a Boilermaker Hall of Famer who helped lead Purdue to the 1999 women’s basketball national title, and she helped motivate him to keep his game in tune. Combining that with his father clandestinely reaching out to the Boilermaker coaching staff allowed Deane to get an opportunity with the Boilermakers.

“I was at Purdue taking summer classes and had no idea that my father had a setting up a private meeting with coach Frank Kendrick, rest in peace,” said Deane, who credits Kendrick, who passed away on Dec. 18, 2024, along with his dad, for helping him to get a chance at Purdue.

But Figgs had a role too in helping Deane get confidence again in his basketball acumen

“Ukari encouraged me, and after playing at the Co-Rec, word traveled fast,” Deane said. It took longer for the coaching staff to see what Deane’s skill set was than his future Boilermaker teammates as they were immediately impressed during pick-up games played at the facility.

“It so happened that some Purdue players saw me strength and conditioning coach Greg Lehman helped me,” Deane said. “I was allowed to work out with the team. And the rest is history.”

That history was remarkable. He averaged over 17 points per game in his junior and senior seasons and helped Purdue return to the NCAA Tournament after a three-year hiatus in his senior year. It would be coach Gene Keady’s last trip to the Big Dance. Heading into the 2024-25 season, he ranks 29th on the Purdue all-time scoring list with 1,328 points.

Though he was on scholarship in his latter years at Purdue, Deane joins Jim Rowinski and Grady Eifert as some of the most successful former walk-ons to don the Gold and Black uniform.

“Coach Keady will always be special for giving me the opportunity and having faith in me,” Deane said.

The Edey connection

Despite living in the Albany area, Deane has tried to take his family to see a game in Mackey Arena every year since his overseas pro playing career ended in 2018. Watching Zach Edey was a highlight and the opportunity to have his three kids be pictured with the two-time national player of the year was extra special.

Deane also ran into Edey this past summer in the Las Vegas Summer League.

“It was great to meet him (in that environment) and to see him be successful at the next level, especially when so many people were questioning whether he would be able to make the transition from college to a professional (has been great), Deane said. “I never doubted it, because even though he didn’t shoot threes (in college), you could see his soft touch and his excellent form.

“He is so unselfish as a player, too.”

Playing Hoops Oversees and Lessons Learned

Deane’s pro career took him all over Europe, including stops that included Bulgaria, Latvia, Russia and France. He credits his time in Russia as having the most significant impact on his life. He spent time learning the Russian language in his 30s, something very challenging for anyone at any age.

He knows people on both sides of the current Russia-Ukrainian war.

“Not to get too political, but I just keep people in both countries in my prayers,” Deane said.

He remains hopeful that peace will be in the region before long, but knows the challenge of the history between the two sides.

Family life

Deane has been married to his wife, Han, for 16 years and they have two daughters, Su Han, 14, and Celine 9, and a three-year-old son Gihan. He spends his time as an electrician but has also been involved in the community, serving as an interim parks director.

“I stay around the game of basketball by mentoring 25-plus young girls; most of them do not have a father in their life,” Deane says. “My non-profit L.I.F.E. Enrichment is a big part of that and I can use basketball as the hook to teach them about science, math, and English. It’s primarily an academic program, but we teach them science through the sport of basketball and what they really need to know to be successful in life.”

An Accomplished Author

Deane is also the proud author of a childrens book “Love.” and is a conduit to reach young people in a positive way.

“Love is a story about a young girl named Sara who uses the word Love often but doesn’t understand its true meaning,” Deane says. “It is a nonfiction book comprised of examples taken from my childhood infused with experiences with my children as a father. The image and likeness of the main character Sara, is comprised of three people. Two of those being my daughters Sue Han and Seline while the third is my late grandmother from my father’s side whose name was Sara, who was a teacher and passed away from cancer before I had the pleasure of meeting her.”

What Deane sees for the 2024-25 Boilermakers

Deane, who was in Mackey Arena most recently for the Northern Kentucky game on Nov. 8 has been impressed with the 2024-25 team. Like just about every former Boilermaker, he was relieved and glad for coach Matt Painter and his staff for getting over the hump and reaching the Final Four. But Deane is bullish on this year’s team too and is proud to wear his Purdue gear in his home in the Albany, New York area.

“As always, Coach Painter and the entire staff are doing a wonderful job getting the players to compete on a very high level playing basketball the right way!,” Deane said. “I also congratulate Braden Smith for all the milestones he has achieved.”

And yes, he is aware that Deane has a strong physical resemblance to fellow East Coast backcourt player freshman C.J. Cox.

“It is a pleasure to have him repping the number 0,” Deane says. “I am watching him and the entire team every chance I get.”

Making contributions and making a difference is the focus of Deane, 44, as he continues through life’s transition. And like he did on the court, he does it with speed, skill, and energy.

L.I.F.E. Enrichment is an educational nonprofit where we use basketball as the hook to teach participants Science, Math, Leadership, English and Financial Literacy.  If there are any Purdue Alumni or fans who would like to help out they can reach Deane at (518) 417-0169.

For more information on Deane’s children’s book, click here