HBCU Men's Basketball Programs That Produced NBA Champions
HOUSTON — We are on the verge of tipping off a new HBCU basketball season in 2023-24. Stay tuned for news, notes, and nuggets from the SWAC, MEAC, CIAA, and SIAC as the conferences host their respective media days in October.
Last year's MEAC Player of the Year from Norfolk State, Joe Bryant Jr., and Bankston are pursuing their dreams in international professional basketball. In the 2023 Summer League, players from HBCUs like Makur Maker (Howard), Anthony Tarke (Coppin State), and Javonte Cooke (Winston-Salem State) were hoping to continue their NBA dreams, and eventually landed spots on G League squads.
Despite the HBCU All-Star game showcasing players, the NBA has yet to draft an HBCU player since Norfolk State's Kyle O'Quinn in the second round of the 2012 NBA Draft. It's been an exceptionally long drought for HBCU talent. Only 351 HBCU men's basketball players have been drafted in NBA history. Since 2013, Tennesse State forward Robert Covington (Clippers) has been the one HBCU basketball star listed on an active NBA roster.
Fadeaway World set out to "analyze the rosters from all NBA teams that have ever made it to the Finals and the schools that NBA players on those teams attended." We analyzed their list and found 17 HBCU programs — out of the 139 colleges and universities — that produced National Basketball Association champions.
NCCU Eagles guard Sam Jones who won NBA Championships with the Boston Celtics.
The results may be shocking to most:
- North Carolina Central: 10
- Grambling State: 4
- Tennessee State: 3
- Jackson State: 2
- Norfolk State: 2
- Texas Southern: 2
- Alabama A&M: 1
- Albany State: 1
- Coppin State: 1
- Dillard University: 1
- Florida A&M: 1
- Hampton: 1
- Howard: 1
- Southern University: 1
- Virginia Union: 1
- West Virginia State: 1
- Winston-Salem State: 1
HBCU Legends will have more news and updates on the upcoming basketball season in the SWAC, MEAC, CIAA, and SIAC.