JL Bourg signs veteran with NBA and EuroLeague experience

JL Bourg made a quick decision. Forced to strengthen after William McDowell-White’s injury, sidelined for approximately eight weeks due to a fourth metacarpal fracture, the Jeu chose experience by recruiting Will Cherry until the end of February. A seasoned profile accustomed to high-level demands, capable of bringing stability and leadership during a crucial period of the season.

Will Cherry en renfort 🚨

Meneur d’expériences sur tous les continents, Will rejoint l’équipe ! Son adaptabilité, une expérience riche des différents styles de jeu seront une clé précieuse pour l’effectif.

🔗 https://t.co/YULtIAPt6n

Welcome Will 👋 pic.twitter.com/bFXbJMq55l

— JL Bourg Basket (@JLBourgBasket) January 9, 2026

A tough blow to compensate after William McDowell-White’s injury

Already physically fragile this season, William McDowell-White was sidelined again in late December after a violent collision with the backboard during a Betclic ELITE game. A long-term absence that pushed the Ain club to search for a medical substitute, with a clear guideline: not to disturb the collective balance.

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JL Bourg therefore prioritized a player with solid experience, capable of quickly integrating into a team engaged on multiple fronts.

A rich career spanning NBA, EuroLeague and major European leagues

Originally from Oakland, California, Will Cherry emerged at the University of Montana, where he was twice named defensive player of the year in the Big Sky Conference. Undrafted in the NBA, he quickly found his place in the professional world, going through the D-League – now G-League – before experiencing a brief stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers (eight games).

This springboard then led him to Europe, where he finished the 2014-2015 season with Žalgiris Kaunas, with whom he won the Lithuanian championship. Several major references on the Old Continent followed: ALBA Berlin, Gaziantep, Cedevita Zagreb and Olympiacos in 2019-2020, for a second EuroLeague adventure. All stages that forged his reputation as a reliable player, defensively intense and with a true understanding of the European game.

Recent adventures outside traditional circuits

Since 2023, Will Cherry has chosen to continue his career in less media-exposed championships, but very different in their approach to the game. The American has thus played in Iran with Shahrdari Gorgan BC, then in Egypt with Al Ittihad Alexandria for the BAL, before experiencing a South American adventure.

In Venezuela in spring 2025, he played 13 games with the Cocodrilos de Caracas in the Superliga Profesional de Baloncesto. Used as a point guard and experienced leader, he averaged 13.3 points (with a high of 31 points on April 18), 4.1 rebounds and 4.1 assists, confirming his impact in several areas of the game and his ability to adapt to very diverse contexts.

François Lamy: « We cannot take any risk with the collective chemistry »

JL Bourg’s sporting director François Lamy also explained the context of Will Cherry’s signing, a player who has been away from the European circuit for two and a half years and hasn’t played in competition for eight months:

« The extremely deteriorated situation of the player market has already been the subject of numerous statements this year. This search was even more complicated since it involves a short contract, and we have a team with a remarkable mindset and positive momentum. We cannot take any risk with this collective chemistry.

Before another even more complicated sequence of games with grueling travel, we persisted in this search, targeting players already active this season, but none of the leads could materialize. The choice of Will Cherry is based on several criteria. Even though inactive since the start of the season, he’s a player with recognized physical qualities. He has stayed in shape, and even if he lacks competitive rhythm, the experience factor is irreplaceable. He will therefore bring us reinforcement during a difficult period, with qualities quite similar to William’s, and above all bring his natural leadership of a player with such experience. »

With Will Cherry’s arrival, who will not be eligible to face Strasbourg this Saturday, JL Bourg is banking on experience to navigate a decisive sequence of the season, while awaiting William McDowell-White’s return. A profile reminiscent of E.J. Rowland (1.89m, 42 years old). Let’s hope for the Jeu, who doesn’t want to disrupt their collective, that he’ll be able to contribute quickly, while the latest recruit Tajuan Agee is struggling to make an impact in the paint (4.8 points and 3.4 rebounds in 14 minutes).