The Case Charles Oakley’s induction into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame

Inducted into Virginia Hall of Fame

Charles Oakley may not be a name most people remember, but he was once one of the most prominent power forwards in the NBA. A skilled defensive player and prolific rebounder, he was a core member of the New York Knicks throughout the 80s and 90s. Yet, before he was snatching up jump balls at Madison Square Garden, he was sinking baskets at Virginia Union University.

 

During Virginia Union’s winning 1984-85 season, Oakley averaged 24 points and 17.3 rebounds a game. However, what was even more impressive was his leadership skills. Oakley was instrumental in securing the Panther’s 31-1 record and helping them win the NCAA championship, cementing his legacy as one of the best collegiate athletes of his generation.

In recognition of his achievements, the students at Eleanor Roosevelt High School in Greenbelt, Maryland, decided to break down Oakley’s stats and build a case for his induction into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame. Using various tools and metrics, they crunched the numbers and built a proposal to send off for evaluation. In doing so, the students not only learned valuable real-world analytical skills but also called to memory one of basketball’s past greats.

 

Former Virginia Union University and National Basketball Association great Charles Oakley was inducted into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame in 2016.  The Virginia Sports Hall of Fame class of 2016 was chosen by the statewide Honors Court committee.

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