Hargrave Postgraduate Basketball recently celebrated it’s 30th season. To commemorate the sustained excellence of the program, we are proud to announce our All-Decade teams from the 1990’s (released yesterday), 2000’s (released today), and 2010’s (released tomorrow). The teams were selected by a panel of Hargrave insiders and are comprised of five players and one coach, all of whom had a tremendous impact on the Hargrave Basketball program.
Joe Alexander (’04-’05): One of the best success stories to come through Hargrave, Alexander did not have a single scholarship offer prior to arriving in Chatham. He showcased his athleticism in Walter Davis Gymnasium and eventually signed with West Virginia University after helping his Tiger team to a 27-1 record. He exploded onto the scene during his Junior season at West Virginia under Bob Huggins, earning First Team All-Big East honors, as well as Honorable Mention AP All-American recognition. He averaged 16.2 points and 6.1 rebounds per game that season. He was selected with the 8th pick in the 2008 NBA Draft and is still currently playing professionally overseas. Alexander is a member of the Hargrave Basketball Hall of Fame.
James White (’00-’01): Another one of Hargrave’s McDonald’s All-American selections, White starred for the 2000-01 Tigers that went 25-1. White averaged 18 points and 6 rebounds per game that season, was ranked in the top 3 nationally for forwards, and was one of the most highly recruited players in the nation that year. White would sign with the University of Florida following his time at Hargrave. One of the highest flyers to ever come through the program, White also competed at High Jump his Freshman year at Florida. White finished his standout college career at the University of Cincinnati, where he became a member of the 1,000 point club in just three seasons. White was selected with the 31st pick in the 2006 NBA Draft and is currently still playing professionally in Europe. He was a member of the 2006-07 San Antonio Spurs team that won the NBA Championship.
Mike Scott (’06-’07): A Virginia native, Scott starred on the 2006-07 Tiger team that advanced to the National Final Four. Scott averaged 23 points and 14 rebounds per game that season, one of the most dominant statistical seasons in the history of the program. Scott signed with the University of Virginia, where his name is scattered throughout the record books. Scott ended his career 16th all-time in points scored, 3rd all-time in both rebounding and double-doubles, all achieved as a guard. He earned All-ACC honors as a senior when he averaged 18 points and 8 rebounds per game. Scott, a member of the Hargrave Basketball Hall of Fame, was a Second Round selection in the 2012 NBA Draft and is still currently playing in the NBA with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Vernon Macklin (’05-’06): Hailing from Portsmouth, Virginia, Macklin burst onto the scene with Hargrave in the 2005-06 season. He helped lead the Tigers to a 28-2 record while averaging 20 points and 15 rebounds per game. For his efforts, he was named to the prestigious McDonald’s All-American team in 2006. He was also awarded “Mr. Basketball” in Virginia for that season. Macklin signed with Georgetown University and eventually transferred to the University of Florida, where he led a Gators team, that went to the Elite Eight, in points and rebounds. He was drafted in the Second Round of the 2011 NBA Draft and is still currently playing professionally overseas.
Marreese Speights (’05-’06): Speights became an instant fan favorite at Hargrave for his personality both on and off the court. He adopted a quiet, hardworking approach that made him a favorite of coaches, teachers, and staff alike. On the court, he averaged 17.9 points and 10.3 rebounds for a Tiger team that went 28-2. Speights signed with the University of Florida and helped the Gators capture an NCAA Championship in his freshman year. He was selected in the First Round of the 2008 NBA Draft and is currently still playing professionally overseas. His 11-year NBA career saw him as a major contributor to some of the top teams in NBA history, notably capturing the NBA Championship with the Golden State Warriors in the 2014-15 season and helping the Warriors to a 73-9 record in the 2015-16 season. Speights, a member of the Hargrave Basketball Hall of Fame, is one of just 46 players in the history of the sport to win an NCAA and NBA Championship in their career.
Kevin Keatts (Coach; ’99-’01, ’03-’11): Keatts was in charge of the Tigers for the better part of the decade and had a staggering run of success. He coached the Tigers to their first two National Prep Championships (2004, 2008), as well as the program’s first undefeated season (2008). During his time, he sent 103 players on to the NCAA Division 1 level and coached 16 players that reached the NBA level. Keatts owns a career win-loss record at Hargrave of 262-17 (93.9% winning percentage). For the 2011-12 season, Keatts departed Hargrave and became an Assistant Coach at the University of Louisville and earned a National Championship with the Cardinals in 2013. He was then hired as the Head Coach at UNC-Wilmington prior to the 2014-15 season and saw immediate success. He was named CAA Coach of the Year in his first two seasons at UNC-Wilmington while increasing his win totals from 18 to 25 to 29 in his first three seasons. He guided his teams to the NCAA Tournament in 2016 and 2017 before accepting the Head Coach position at North Carolina State University, a title he currently holds. Keatts again made an immediate impact on the Wolfpack, guiding them to an NCAA Tournament berth in his first season. Keatts, a member of the Hargrave Basketball Hall of Fame, has led NC State to three straight seasons of 20 or more wins.
