Submitted by Kelsee Dodson-Carter
Age is just a number, especially on the basketball court. Will Causey, number 5 and shooting guard for the Quad City Flames, is not only lead captain, but the oldest member on the team. At age 47, Causey doesn’t let anything stop him from getting that shot or dunking on the young guys especially his age. Causey has been with the Quad City Flames since 2015.
“I get told I have a sweet shot and that I don’t show my age,” he said.
When asked about his stats this year, Causey said he could care less. It is clear that this team has one thing on their mind and one thing only. Winning.
“I just go out and do what I can do,” he said. “I just want to win.”
The main goal for this season is to help get the other players on the team overseas. Causey wants them to gain the exposure that they need to make their basketball dreams come true.
This is Causey’s last year playing basketball and he has no regrets. He said he has accomplished everything he wanted to accomplish. He enjoys giving pointers and advice to the younger players and hopes that they take it and run with it.
“Listen to what people tell you and follow your dreams,” Causey said. “Work on your game and improve. Eventually someone will end up seeing you and pick you up.”
Causey said that most players want the NBA, but if they can’t make it ABA is the next best thing. “Nobody is going to do the work for you,” he said. “You have to put the work in yourself.”
Marcus Stancil, head coach of Quad City Flames first met Causey in 2007 at a tournament at Bremerton Navy Base. His first impression of Causey was that he could shoot and he could shoot deep. “He tries to make sure he gives 110 percent on the court,” Stancil said. “As the lead captain on the team, he brings experience and knowledge.”
Stancil said that although Causey is the oldest player on the team, he keeps working as if he is in in twenties.
The first weekend of 2020 features two great home match ups. Concessions are available at each game and they will be live streamed on Facebook with a play by play announcer.
- January 4, 2020 at 7:00 p.m.: The Quad City Flames take on Elite Prep at the Nisqually Youth Center (Lashi Street SE, Olympia, WA 98513). You can buy tickets here.
- January 5, 2020 at 5:00 p.m.: The Quad City Flames also face the Seattle Mountaineers. You can buy tickets here.
Before the Quad City Flames, Causey played for the Lakewood Panthers in the ABA from 2010-2014. Playing in Washington state has been a great experience for Causey. He thanks Coach Dave Wiliams for the exposure when playing for him for the Lakewood Panthers. Causey first met Williams after his first deployment. Just like Causey, Williams is also a retired army veteran.
“He gave me that chance to prove myself not only on base playing basketball here at JBLM, but taking my talents and skills to play off base in a lot of tournaments and leagues in Seattle and the surrounding areas,” Causey said.
This is where Causey got major recognition for not only playing in the biggest summer pro basketball league, but in the semi pro basketball league as well. He played in the International Basketball League, American Basketball Association, National Athletic Basketball League and Minor League Basketball Association.
Falling in love with street basketball growing up, Causey always had a thirst for competition. Growing up, he played against the older kids in the neighborhood and then went on to play on his junior high team. Born and raised in Waycross, Georgia, Causey went on to Clayton State University in Morrow, Georgia. He is a father of four – a 22-year-old son, 21-year-old daughter, 19-year-old daughter and 4-year-old son. In May of 1993, Causey enlisted into the Army. He was able to play basketball on every base team in both of his terms. He was on All-Army basketball team from 1996-1997.
“Traveling to other countries was a great experience and to play at that level of how international players play along with seeing and meeting people of different cultures,” Causey said. “It was very exciting to experience that outside of what I actually did as my job while serving.”
Playing basketball for the army bases got Causey out of field training.
“It was lovely, especially when the weather was bad,” he said. “But that also gave my unit recognition as well because of how well I played.”
Causey arrived in Washington from Korea in June 2002. He was also deployed to numerous places across the world, including Haiti, Egypt, Iraq and Afghanistan. Causey had the chance to play basketball on base when time was feasible and if no mission was needed for his time off.
“I didn’t know how Washington state was going to be basketball-hoop-wise. But after my first deployment, I had the honor to play for coach and owner of the Lakewood Panthers/Club Parkside,” he said.
Causey retired from the Army June 2014 at JBLM, Washington.
Jamaal Miller, number 13 and guard for the Quad City Flames, played against Causey 13 years ago playing basketball in a men’s league at the Lakewood Community Center. Miller said he was averaging around 50-55 points a game and Causey came up and blocked his shot.
“I went up kind of easy,” Miller said. “Not thinking this older guy would even challenge my shot, let alone block it.” Miller’s first impression of Causey was that he was very athletic, in great shape and consistent with his unorthodox shooting style. “He is just a good human being overall,” Miller said.
According to Miller, Causey brings a plethora of tangible and intangible traits to the team. “Such as, leadership, experience, competitive spirit, the will to win, hard work, high basketball IQ, unselfishness and heart,” Miller added. “He never gives up and is a great teammate.”
When asked what surprises Miller about Causey on the basketball court he said the fact that at age 107, Causey can still dunk the basketball.
Don’t miss the Quad City Flames take on Elite Prep at Nisqually Youth Center January 4, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. Causey is looking forward to this game and team getting their chemistry down and everybody knowing their roles.
“We need that chemistry to further on in the league,” Causey said. “I am looking forward to playing more with each other, practicing and trusting each other.”
Miller said we should expect a win from the Quad City Flames as well as good entertaining basketball, a family atmosphere and an overall great experience.
“It’s going to be a very exciting game,” Causey said. “Come out and see it.”
Purchase advance tickets to the game here and follow Quad City Flames on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. For more information about game schedules, stats and more visit the Quad City Flames website.
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