Notable NBA Players Who Attended HBCUs
|
Posted By: S. Moore on December 19, 2022 Phoenix Suns star point guard Chris Paul on Friday participated in the commencement ceremony at Winston-Salem State University, a historically Black college in North Carolina. Aside from the fact that the perennial all-star decided to go back to school while still playing professionally to complete his unfinished degree, Paul’s graduation from an HBCU draws attention to other NBA players who also attended historically Black colleges and universities. Paul has deep ties to WSSU. Both of his parents, Robin and Charles Paul, attended the school. He also hosted a star-studded charity basketball game at the school that included his fellow NBA stars, including Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James and Kevin Durant, and has donated $25,000 to WSSU’s athletic program through his philanthropic organization, the Chris Paul Foundation. “Everyone in my family went to HBCUs except for me,” said Paul at the time. “If you grow up in the South, you’re going to have that culture and DNA in you so for me it’s just been about trying to give a voice to the voiceless. Everyone doesn’t always know about HBCUs and why they were created. I’m just trying to bring attention to them.” It also can’t be forgotten that Paul enrolled at Winston-Salem State University during an election year in part to help ensure that HBCU students exercise their right to vote. He joined forces with two NBA players to provide transportation for students to get to the polls. Paul said he was dedicated to utilizing his platform and resources to spread awareness about the importance of HBCUs and create opportunities for students within the HBCU community. It was in that context that Paul in 2020, through his foundation, teamed up with Live Nation Urban and North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, an HBCU, for the creation of a course that focused on the intersection of entertainment, media and sports. “We are grateful for the generosity of Chris Paul and Live Nation Urban in providing these tremendous opportunities for our college,” said Kevin James, Ph.D. who serves as dean of the Willie A. Deese College of Business and Economics. “Our students have been very excited to be part of this experience as they are being introduced to a whole new world of opportunity in an active and engaging way.” While other NBA players attended HBCUs, none has ever done it while playing professionally. Here’s a look at other NBA players who attended HBCUs. Who are we forgetting? 1. Darrell Armstrong, Fayetteville State University Darrell Armstrong attended Fayetteville State University from 1988-1991 and went undrafted by the NBA before the Orlando Magic signed him as a free agent in 1994. He went on to play for five NBA teams before retiring and becoming a coach. 2. Dick Barnett, Tennessee State University Dick Barnett starred at Tennessee State University from 1955 to 1959 and was selected by the Syracuse Nationals as the fourth overall pick of the 1959 draft. He played with three NBA teams over the course of 14 seasons and notably was a key part of the New York Knicks’ championship teams in 1970 and 1973. 3. Zelmo Beaty, Prairie View A&M University 4. Bob Dandridge, Norfolk State University 5. Travis Grant, Kentucky State University 6. Devin Green, Hampton University 7. Cleo Hill, Winston-Salem State University 8. Avery Johnson, Southern University and A&M College 9. Lindsey Hunter, Jackson State University 10. Earl Lloyd, West Virginia State University 11. Bob Love, Southern University and A&M College 12. Rick Mahorn, Hampton University 13. Anthony Mason, Tennessee State University 14. Carlos Rogers, Tennessee State University 15. Mo Williams, Jackson State University 16.Charles Oakley, Virginia Union University 17.Willis Reed, Grambling College 18.Earl Monroe, Winston-Salem State College 19.Kyle O’Quinn, Norfolk State University 20. Truck Robinson, Tennessee State University 21. Woody Sauldsberry, Texas Southern University 22.Ben Wallace, Virginia Union University SOURCE NEWSONE If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
 |
Want to be a millionaire? Start Pretending!!Before more money shows up, your mindset has to shift.
Take it from me, I pretended to be the millionaire I desired to become, until that very dream came true.
It’s the very reason I continue t ...more
How May I Help You NC • 292 Views • March 15th, 2026 |
 |
Jimmy Smith - Jackson StatePride of the Jaguars: Jimmy Smith
New Pride of the Jaguars inductee Jimmy Smith sits with Brian Sexton and reflects on his career, his struggles and his life today.
https://www.jaguars.com/video/pri ...more
How May I Help You NC • 564 Views • February 10th, 2026 |
 |
Della Miles takes Michelle Obama to the stage in "Obama the Musical"When Della Miles was a student at Prairie View A&M University in Texas, everyone new she would be a brighter star one day having been selected Miss PVAMU and 4th Runner-up to Miss Texas/America 1984. ...more
Frederick Roberts • 90,042 Views • April 11th, 2010 |
 |
Oprah WinfreyOprah Winfrey, the multi media mogul, has garnered international appeal for her talk show. As the first Black woman billionaire in world history, Winfrey has overtaken EBay CEO, Meg Whitman, as the ri ...more
Reginald Culpepper • 37,706 Views • September 30th, 2005 |
 |
Kerry D. ChandlerKerry D. Chandler, a San Diego, CA native, is the Executive Vice President of Human Resources at the National Basketball Association responsible for leading the league's global human resources strateg ...more
Ryan Rogers • 34,131 Views • May 3rd, 2011 |
 |
Rick Ross - Yep Another HBCU AlumnusWilliam Leonard Roberts II (born January 28, 1976), better known by his stage name Rick Ross, is an American rapper. Ross founded the record label Maybach Music Group. He was born in Coahoma County, M ...more
Reginald Culpepper • 32,277 Views • September 1st, 2010 |
