Courtesy: CIAA
CHARLOTTE, NC – The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), the nation’s oldest historically black athletic conference, is proud to announce the 2021 John B. McLendon Hall of Fame Class.
The CIAA recognizes inductees for their excellence in the conference, significant contributions in the community, leadership within CIAA athletics, and commitment to the conference mission. This year’s class features six inductees, whose accolades within the conference span over four decades, to include Cassie King (North Carolina Central University), Kenny Phillips (Fayetteville State University), Johnny Stoutamire, Jr. (Livingstone College), Greg Toler (Saint Paul’s College), Celeste Trahan-Davis (Elizabeth City State University) and Johnnie Walton (Elizabeth City State University).
The 2021 John B. McLendon CIAA Hall of Fame class will be celebrated in a virtual presentation that will air on Friday, February 26 via the CIAA Sports Network. This event will be a part of the schedule of events encompassing the CIAA virtual tournament experience, being held February 23-27, 2021. Details on how to take part in the virtual experience will be announced at a later time.
Since its inception in 1967, the CIAA Hall of Fame has enshrined 293 honorees. It was renamed after legendary coach and administrator John B. McLendon in 2000. A 1978 Hall of Fame inductee, McLendon is also credited as one of the founding fathers of the CIAA Basketball Tournament, which began in 1946.
Cassie King, North Carolina Central
King starred at North Carolina Central University from 2004-07 where she was a three-time All-CIAA selection (2005-07), four-time CIAA Tournament selection (2004-07), and named to the CIAA All-Rookie team in 2004. She was a three-time South Atlantic All-Region team selection (2005-07) while being named to the WBCA All-America team (2005-07) as honorable mention for three straight seasons.
In 2004-05, King broke the NCCU single-season scoring record with 664 points (22.9 points per game) and in the same season set a school and CIAA Tournament record with 59 points in a game. As a senior, King recorded just the second triple double in NCCU program history with 26 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 blocked shots against Fayetteville State and helped lead the Lady Eagles to their first CIAA title in 23 years.
In four seasons, King registered 44 double doubles and totaled 2,150 points and 1,076 rebounds, ranking as the fifth-leading scorer and sixth-leading rebounder in CIAA history. NCCU’s all-time scoring leader and second-leading rebounder, King became just the second CIAA player and 15th in NCAA Division II women’s basketball history to amass 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds for a career.