May 1st, 2024 marked the 26th anniversary of the Spike Lee film, He Got Game. LeVelle Moton, the head basketball coach at North Carolina Central University (NCCU), an HBCU located in Durham, North Carolina, took to social media to reflect on his cameo in the iconic hoops movie.
27 years ago, I received a call from Spike Lee…He saw me play in The Rucker and told me he had a movie he was working on, and he wanted me to have a role in it… I said “Hell Yea I’ll be in it”…..💯💯 Soon after, we started shooting scenes in New York and Winston-Salem…So many scenes were edited and Although this was my only cameo that made the film, being on set with Denzel & Rosario Dawson was Priceless 🔥🔥🔥 “He Got Game” would premiere in theatres soon after. Something I’ll cherish forever! Coach Moton posted on his Instagram account.
LeVelle Moton is a North Carolina basketball icon who has rubbed elbows with some of the best in the game and has the stories to prove it.
From playing summer ball at UNC with Vince Carter to being involved in legendary closed-door pickup games with Michael Jordan before his return to the NBA in 1995, the two-time MEAC coach of the year has had his share of memorable moments as a player and coach. Including being in the opening credits of one of the greatest basketball movies ever made in He Got Game.
Although Moton shot scenes for the film all over North Carolina and New York City, his only cameo in the film comes during the opening credits. LeVelle Moton can be seen in front of an old country store going up for a layup before text pops up on the screen reading, “A 40 Acres and A Mule Filmworks Production.”
40 Acres and A Mule Filmworks is the flagship brand for Spike Lee and some of his most memorable movies.
While his cameo only lasts seven seconds, it is another fascinating basketball moment from one of the most interesting figures in HBCU basketball.