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Odds of making the NBA for the average HS hooper = 3 out of every 10,000
Odds of making the NBA for the average hooper from Kinston, North Carolina = 1 out of every 52.7
How a town of 21,000 has, per capita, become the greatest producer of NBA players in America.
Odds of making the NBA for the average hooper from Kinston, North Carolina = 1 out of every 52.7
How a town of 21,000 has, per capita, become the greatest producer of NBA players in America.
The story of Kinston basketball starts in 1948, when the Grainger High School Red Devils, which would later become Kinston High School, reached their first state title game, falling to the Hendersonville Bluebirds 46-44.
Despite the loss, Kinston hoops was on the map.
Despite the loss, Kinston hoops was on the map.
As the hoop scene grew, Kinston's many factories, warehouses, and mills started hosting rec leagues.
The leagues were loaded with local ex-college or high school players who couldn't wait to hoop after a long day's work
The leagues were loaded with local ex-college or high school players who couldn't wait to hoop after a long day's work
But the best run was at Holloway Recreation Center. Adults played on one half, kids on the other. If you were good enough, you’d graduate to the adult side.
“That was our proving ground” - said @jerrystackhouse, a Kinston native.
“That was our proving ground” - said @jerrystackhouse, a Kinston native.
As a teenager, Stackhouse faced a much older baller by the name of Donald Ingram. Sound familiar? It should.
Donald Ingram is the father of NBA superstar, @B_Ingram13.
Donald Ingram is the father of NBA superstar, @B_Ingram13.
How’d Stackhosue repay the favor? By roughing B.I. up of course.
This cycle of the OG’s training the new wave created a reputation that continues today.
"If you look at the history of players from Kinston, all these guys are tough," said @jeffcapel.
This cycle of the OG’s training the new wave created a reputation that continues today.
"If you look at the history of players from Kinston, all these guys are tough," said @jeffcapel.
In the last 50 years, that cycle has produced seven NBAers from Kinston HS.
@cedricmaxwell81, @ReggieBullock35, Charles Shackleford, Tony Dawson, Herbert Hill, and of course Stackhouse and Ingram.
@cedricmaxwell81, @ReggieBullock35, Charles Shackleford, Tony Dawson, Herbert Hill, and of course Stackhouse and Ingram.
"If I hear there's a player in Kinston, I am going to go there quicker than I would go to New York City." - Roy Williams.
Is there something in Kinston’s water? Maybe. But more likely it’s the cycle. Guys come back to the community; the old guard teaches the new.
Is there something in Kinston’s water? Maybe. But more likely it’s the cycle. Guys come back to the community; the old guard teaches the new.
As for Kinston HS well, since that famous loss in 1945, they’ve posted a 76.4 winning percentage, advanced to 21 state title games - winning 11 of them.
Not bad for a town of 21,000.
Not bad for a town of 21,000.
