DURHAM, N.C. – The North Carolina Central University Department of Athletics will be retiring the basketball jerseys of Amba Kongolo,
LeVelle Moton and Charles "Tex" Harrison, and honoring legendary hall of fame coach John McLendon in separate ceremonies during the NCCU hoops season, starting Saturday, Feb. 3.
On Saturday, Kongolo will have her jersey retired following the NCCU women's basketball contest versus Delaware State University at 2 p.m. Moton's jersey will be retired on Monday, Feb. 5, during halftime of the NCCU men's basketball game against Hampton University, which starts at 7 p.m. on ESPNU. Harrison's jersey retirement and McLendon's recognition will take place on March 1 during halftime of NCCU's men's basketball match-up with North Carolina A&T State University.
Kongolo (1999-2002) is a two-time CIAA Women's Basketball Player of the Year (2001 and 2002) and 2002 NCAA Division II All-American, who became the first CIAA student-athlete drafted by the WNBA after amassing 1,536 points and 833 rebounds as a Lady Eagle.
Moton (1992-96) is the 1996 CIAA Men's Basketball Player of the Year, two-time CIAA All-Tournament Team selection, two-time NCAA Division II All-America Honorable Mention and the school's third all-time leading scorer with 1,714 career points.
Harrison (1950-54) scored 1,304 points as an Eagle, was a member of the 1950 CIAA Tournament Championship team and became the first player from an HBCU to earn all-America honors. He went on spend six decades as a player and coach with the Harlem Globetrotters.
McLendon coached the Eagles from 1940-52, capturing six tournament or visitation (regular season) championships and registering 239 victories by winning more than 77 percent of his games. McLendon has been inducted into numerous halls of fame, including the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame twice, as both a pioneer and a coach.
Each of these celebrations will be held in McDougald-McLendon Arena. For tickets, contact the NCCU Ticket Office at (919) 530-5170 or visit NCCUEaglePride.com.
