HBCU Legend Kevin Granger's Retired Jersey Banner Removed from Texas Southern Arena
|
Posted By: Will Moss on March 07, 2026 HOUSTON, TX - The banners still hang high over H&PE Arena, a row of white fabric honoring some of Texas Southern's greatest men's basketball players. Bennie Swain's No. 21, Gaylord Davis' No. 10, Alonzo Bradley's No. 22, Marcella Singleton's No. 13 and Harry Kelly's No. 43 all sway gently in the building's rafters. But one once-familiar tribute is missing: the banner for Kevin Granger, the former NCAA scoring champion whose No. 10 jersey was retired by TSU in 2002. HBCU Legends' Kyle T. Mosley snapped a photo of the missing banner during Thursday's Texas Southern-Prairie View basketball game. Granger, a 1990s Tigers standout who led Division I in scoring at 27.0 points per game during the 1995-96 season, long occupied a prominent place in the arena's skyline alongside the other legends whose numbers are no longer worn. "Kevin Granger's banner no longer hangs in the rafters at Texas Southern..." His banner served as a visual anchor for a generation of fans who watched the player carry the program and later return as a coach and administrator. Now, photos from inside H&PE Arena show only five retired-number banners, with the space where Granger's tribute once hung sitting conspicuously empty. Texas Southern has not publicly announced the removal of the banner or explained its absence. The quiet disappearance comes less than a year after Granger was placed on administrative leave following a civil lawsuit accusing him of sexual assault and harassment by a university staff member. Key Takeaway: The optics inside the arena now tell a complicated story about legacy and accountability. On one hand, the rafters still recognize Granger's era through the retired No.
10 of Gaylord Davis, who wore the same number in the 1970s and had his jersey retired alongside Granger's in a joint ceremony two decades ago. On the other hand, the absence of Granger's own banner suggests a reevaluation of how institutions should honor athletic accomplishments when serious off-court allegations surface against the person behind the jersey. Many remember Granger not just for his scoring titles and SWAC accolades, but for his role in helping steer the department through multiple coaching changes and NCAA Tournament appearances as an administrator. Now, as the legal process plays out away from the public eye, the rafters in H&PE Arena have become an unmistakable symbol of the uncertainty surrounding one of the school's most decorated figures. Why This Matters for the HBCU Community This story hits at the heart of the complex challenges HBCUs face in balancing their rich athletic legacies with the need to confront troubling off-field misconduct allegations. Kevin Granger was a bona fide HBCU star, dominating the court and leaving an indelible mark on Texas Southern's basketball history. But the removal of his retired jersey banner speaks to the difficult decisions institutions must make when high-profile figures become embroiled in controversy. For the HBCU community, this case underscores the importance of transparent accountability, while also highlighting the unique position of HBCU sports programs as cornerstones of their campuses and alumni networks. As Texas Southern navigates this sensitive situation, HBCUConnect will continue to provide thoughtful analysis on how the HBCU community can learn from this experience and ensure the integrity of its athletics programs moving forward. Originally reported by HBCU Sports. If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
 |
Will Moss
Founder & CEO, HBCU CONNECT, LLC Hampton University class of 1995 Member Since June 1999 |
