Jackson State head men’s basketball coach and former NBA all-star Mo Williams has been named to the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2025. The Jackson, Mississippi native coached at fellow SWAC HBCU Alabama State before returning to his hometown to coach at Jackson State in 2022. Below is a press release courtesy of the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame.
JACKSON, Miss. – The Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame proudly unveiled the Induction Class of 2025 at a press conference today at the Museum. This year’s eight-member class includes four football legends, two basketball stars, one baseball standout, and a distinguished golfer.
“Our selection committee has once again excelled in identifying remarkable individuals for this class,” said Museum Executive Director Bill Blackwell. “Each inductee has made significant contributions to their sport and has embodied the spirit of excellence that we celebrate. Their legacies inspire future generations of athletes in Mississippi and beyond.”
The Class of 2025 is as follows:
- Scott Berry – Head Baseball Coach at the University of Southern Mississippi for 14 seasons, leading the team to nine NCAA tournament appearances.
- Steve Freeman – Standout defensive back at Mississippi State and in the NFL, currently a veteran NFL official.
- Mike Justice – Veteran high school football coach with a remarkable record of 297 wins and 98 losses over 35 years, including four state championships.
- Dexter McCluster – Ole Miss All-SEC and All-American running back, receiver, and kick returner, who enjoyed an 8-season NFL career.
- Derrick Nix – USM star running back and long-time college coach, currently on the coaching staff at Auburn.
- Steve Rives – Accomplished high school and college basketball coach with over 700 career wins, known for his successful tenures at Jackson Prep and Delta State University.
- Robbie Webb – Golf professional at Canton Country Club and Deerfield, who mentored numerous junior golfers.
- Mo Williams – Current Head Basketball Coach at HBCU Jackson State University and Murrah High School graduate, who went on to play basketball at Alabama and enjoyed a 13-year NBA career.
These exceptional individuals will be formally enshrined during the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame Induction Weekend on August 1-2, 2025. Tickets will go on sale in January 2025. This event supports the 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that operates the Hall of Fame and celebrates the achievements of those who have brought fame and honor to the State of Mississippi.
About Mo Williams
Williams was named Mr. Basketball during his senior year at Murrah High in 2001 and also earned McDonald’s All-America and Parade Magazine third-team All-America honors. He went on to play two seasons at Alabama, averaging more than 13 points and four assists per game. Williams was named Sporting News National Freshman of the Year and Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Year in 2002, helping lead The Tide to the SEC regular season championship and NCAA Tournament appearance. Williams also earned third-team all-conference accolades in 2003 before turning pro after his sophomore year.
Williams spent 14 years in the NBA, averaging more than 13 points and nearly five assists per game. Drafted by Utah, Williams would play his rookie season with the Jazz before spending the next four seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks. Williams played three seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers (2008-11) where he teamed up with LeBron James and helped the Cavs post a league-best 66 wins in 2008-09 and a berth in the NBA Finals. Williams was selected to the NBA All-Star Game in his first season with Cleveland.
After stints with the Los Angeles Clippers (2011-12), Portland Trail Blazers (2013-14), Minnesota Timberwolves (2014-15), and Charlotte Hornets (2015), Williams returned to Cleveland for the 2015-16 campaign as the Cavaliers completed an historic comeback from a three-game-to-one deficit to defeat the Golden State Warriors to win the NBA Championship.
The former NBA All-Star cut his teeth in HBCU basketball at Alabama State for two seasons. Williams went 13-35 at Bama State and finished 12-24 in Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) play under his tenure. Recently, Mo Williams signed his son, Mike Williams to play HBCU basketball under his father at Jackson State. Williams is a three-star recruit and ranked as the No. 187 prospect in the 2025 class per 247Sports.