Chris Paul. | Source: Mitchell Leff / Getty

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.

After beating the Clippers in LA last night, Suns guard Chris Paul is getting ready to graduate from Winston-Salem State University in North Carolina this morning. @andscape pic.twitter.com/pjQpzFg1w0

— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) December 16, 2022

Paul enrolled at Winston-Salem State University in 2020 right around the same time as the height of Black Lives Matter protests surrounding the police murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

At the time, the North Carolina native was starring for the Oklahoma City Thunder and decided it was time to take steps to finish his collegiate studies that were interrupted when he left for the NBA following his sophomore year at Wake Forest University, which is about a 10-minute drive from Winston-Salem State University.

“Man it’s cool. I’m excited. Long time coming.”

Chris Paul on receiving his degree in mass communications at Winston-Salem State as he’ll attend the ceremony Friday. #Suns pic.twitter.com/Svuww0sSls

— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) December 16, 2022

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


Source:Getty

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

College Basketball Facts:

HBCU alum Travis Grant, who scored 4,045 points during his career at Kentucky State University, holds the all-division NCAA scoring record. He’s nicknamed “Machine Gun” & “The Machine”. pic.twitter.com/4GgJ6qggcs

— 247 Live Culture (@247LC) March 12, 2021

6. Devin Green, Hampton University


Source:Getty

Hampton v University of Connecticut WASHINGTON DC – MARCH 15: Devin Green #2 of the Hampton Pirates looks to move the ball from the perimeter in the game against the University of Connecticut Huskies during the first round of the NCAA Division I Mens Basketball Championship at MCI Center in Washington, DC on March 15, 2002. The Huskies won 78-67. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2002 Getty Images (Photo by Doug Pensinger /Getty Images) devin green – hampton v university of connecticut

7. Cleo Hill, Winston-Salem State University

Cleo Hill played guard for Winston Salem State University. Hill was the first big-time player to play for Hall of Fame coach Clarence “Big House” Gaines. As a senior guard, he averaged 26.7 points a game for the Rams. He completed his college career with 2,488 points. #BHM pic.twitter.com/HLPAOjHZry

— HBCULegacy (@HBCULEGACY1837) February 5, 2019

8. Avery Johnson, Southern University and A&M College

Avery Johnson solidified himself as a magnificent point guard for Southern University. In 1988, he led the nation in assists with 13.3 assists a game. He also averaged 11.4 points that season. #repost @slam magazine#HBCUAllStarGame #TheBestInBlackCollegeBasketball pic.twitter.com/9vR5IBvnfa

— HBCU All-Star Game (@HBCUAllStarGame) August 24, 2022

9. Sam Jones, North Carolina Central University


Source:Getty

10. Lindsey Hunter, Jackson State University


Source:Getty

JSU Tigers SWAC Tourney Champs # 11 Lindsey Hunter, SWAC Tourney MVP, heavyweight Champ Evander Holyfield (black sweater) & Com. James Frank JSU Vs TX So. 3/2/91. (Photo by Jackson State University via Getty Images) microphone,color image,photography,horizontal,usa,adult,sport,men,basketball – sport,event,competition,1990-1999,nba,award,sports clothing,suit,gesturing,sports uniform,achievement,winning,handshake,speech,heavyweight,championship,coach,most valuable player,basketball uniform,evander holyfield,basketball player,historically black colleges and universities,sports jersey,sportsperson,sports court,southwestern athletic conference

11. Pee Wee Kirkland, Norfolk State University

Richard “Pee Wee” Kirkland
Norfolk State, Guard 1967-1968 pic.twitter.com/IurVJPOHeH

— Random College Athletes (@RandomAthletess) November 15, 2021

12. Earl Lloyd, West Virginia State University

Earl Lloyd was a three-time All-CIAA standout and led the 1947-48 West Virginia State University team to a 23-0 record to win the league title.

He averaged 14 points and eight rebounds a game his senior year.

@WVStateU pic.twitter.com/ysr9DVBM1p

— Andscape (@andscape) February 8, 2021

13. Bob Love, Southern University and A&M College

24/29: Meet my Alpha Phi Omega Fraternity Brother Bob Love.

After starring at Morehouse High School in Bastrop, Louisiana, Love played basketball for Southern University, where he also became a brother of Alpha Phi Omega, pledging Kappa Lambda Chapter.
1/#BlackFact pic.twitter.com/rpzM2wMjQI

— A. Cedric Armstrong (@cedteaches) February 24, 2020

14. Rick Mahorn, Hampton University

The Baddest Bad Boy of them all!

Rick Mahorn scored 2,418 points during his time with @Hampton_MBB!#HUWeek pic.twitter.com/goasqVqOFy

— Big South Conference (@BigSouthSports) October 3, 2020

15. Anthony Mason, Tennessee State University

Anthony Mason a Tennessee State University alum and NBA legend In his 13-year career He averaged 10.8 points and 8.3 rebounds in his 13-year NBA career. Mason earned the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award in 1995 and led the NBA in minutes played in the following two seasons. pic.twitter.com/jBHAPVOE1O

— CashvilleEtc (@cashville_etc) August 2, 2020

16. Earl Monroe, Winston-Salem State College

Earl Monroe was a champion with HBCU Winston-Salem State College, but he didn’t become “The Pearl” until his smooth moves with the Baltimore Bullets. Known as one of the greatest one-on-one players of his era, Monroe introduced spin moves to the game. #BHM pic.twitter.com/zFSJMwIA5u

— NBA (@NBA) February 19, 2021

17. Charles Oakley, Virginia Union University

18. Kyle O’Quinn, Norfolk State University


Source:Getty

College Basketball: NCAA Playoffs: Norfolk State Kyle O’Quinn (10) victorious after winning game vs Missouri at CenturyLink Center. Omaha, NE 3/16/2012 CREDIT: Bill Frakes (Photo by Bill Frakes /Sports Illustrated via Getty Images) (Set Number: X154491 TK2 R12 F88 )

19. Willis Reed, Grambling College

Willis Reed at Grambling College in the early 1960s.

Reed averaged 26.6 PTS & 21.3 REB in 1963-64 and helped lead the Tigers to the NAIA championship in 1961. pic.twitter.com/LVHnYt2CK5

— NBA Cobwebs (@NBACobwebs) October 24, 2022

20. Truck Robinson, Tennessee State University

21. Carlos Rogers, Tennessee State University

Carlos Rogers (Tennessee State) pic.twitter.com/b8TaOYSM36

— Dad (@RealBisi) August 27, 2020

22. Woody Sauldsberry, Texas Southern University

23. Ben Wallace, Virginia Union University

24. Mo Williams, Jackson State University

Former Cavs Player Mo Williams Hired to Jackson State University Basketball Team as Head Coach! Congrats, Mo! pic.twitter.com/t3LIp4Iosm

— Cleveland Sports Talk (@CLEsportsTalk) March 11, 2022

25.

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