Beyond March Madness: NCAA Title And More For These Virginians

Written By JR Duren on March 4, 2022

Virginia knows basketball.

Virginia is a place where champions are made, whether they were born and raised in the Old Dominion or achieved fame in the prestigious university arenas of the commonwealth. It’s not just about winning an NCAA title, but so much more.

Famous NBA, WNBA, and Olympic championship winners have also emerged from Virginia basketball.

As we anticipate the upcoming March Madness tournament, where the next set of college champions will be determined, let’s take a glimpse at renowned Virginia basketball teams that have previously secured titles.

Dawn Staley: University of Virginia, 1989-1992

There is no doubt that Dawn Staley is the most iconic basketball player to emerge from Virginia, whether through her birth or college career.

Throughout her four-season tenure with the University of Virginia Cavaliers, the exceptionally skilled college basketball prodigy showcased her prowess as a point guard, consistently achieving a minimum of 14 points per game. Under her guidance, the team reached the prestigious NCAA title game, while she earned the esteemed title of National Player of the Year twice. Upon her graduation, she left an indelible mark on the NCAA record books, holding the record for most steals.

After her time at Virginia, her career shone brightly – quite literally. Staley achieved the remarkable feat of winning four Olympic gold medals as both a player and coach with the US Olympic women’s basketball team.

I participated in the Olympic Games held in Atlanta in 1996, Sydney in 2000, and Athens in 2004.
In my role as a coach, I am looking forward to Tokyo in 2020.

In addition to that, in 2019, Staley achieved the feat of winning an NCAA national championship as the coach of the South Carolina Gamecocks.

Moses Malone: Petersburg, Virginia native

Moses Malone, who has since passed away, was both born and raised in Petersburg, Virginia.

Making his debut at Petersburg High School, he made an explosive entrance by guiding his team to consecutive state championships. His exceptional abilities allowed him to achieve what no previous prominent player had accomplished: transitioning directly from high school to the professional basketball league. In the 1974 ABA draft, the Utah Stars selected him as their promising prospect.

After two seasons in the ABA, Malone transitioned to the NBA, joining the Houston Rockets for a fruitful six-season stint. In 1982, he left the Rockets and joined the Philadelphia 76ers.

During his debut season with the team, Malone guided the Sixers to the NBA Finals. Against formidable opponents Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul Jabbar, the Lakers were completely overwhelmed by the 76ers, resulting in a flawless 4-0 victory. Malone consistently dominated in scoring and rebounding throughout all four games for the team. Notably, he displayed a remarkable performance in the final game of the series, recording an impressive 24-point and 23-rebound achievement.

Virginia native Moses Malone won an NBA championship in his first season with the Philadelphia 76ers. (AP photo)

Alonzo Mourning: Chesapeake, Virginia

In the realm of Virginia high school basketball, Alonzo Mourning undeniably stood out as the epitome of talent. His exceptional skills guided Indian River High School to an astonishing streak of 51 consecutive wins, ultimately resulting in a well-deserved state championship in the year 1987.

Following his final season, Mourning was awarded the prestigious titles of high school player of the year by Gatorade, Naismith, Parade, and USA Today.

After joining Georgetown University, Mourning continued his basketball journey and showcased remarkable performances throughout his four years. Impressively, during his final season, he maintained an average of 21.3 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 5.0 blocks per game. Although Georgetown managed to reach the Elite Eight in Mourning’s first year, they unfortunately fell short and were eliminated in the second round in the subsequent three seasons.

In the 1992 NBA Draft, the Charlotte Hornets made a wise choice by selecting Mourning as their No. 2 draft pick. He achieved great success with the Hornets, but unexpectedly declined a contract extension in 1995.

After being traded by the Hornets, Mourning joined the Miami Heat and played for them from 1995 to 2002. He later returned to the Heat for another stint from 2005 to 2008. It was during his time in 2006 that Mourning played a crucial role in securing the Heat’s first-ever NBA championship, marking the sole championship victory of his career.

Mamadi Diakite: University of Virginia, 2016-2020

Despite not having the same level of fame as the other players mentioned, Mamadi Diakite has an exceptional achievement to his name. He stands alone as the sole basketball player to have secured victories in the NCAA, G League, and NBA championships.

He played a crucial role in the UVA Cavaliers’ championship journey during the 2019 tournament. His remarkable shot at the buzzer in the Cavs’ Elite Eight game against Purdue became a legendary moment.

After going undrafted in 2020, Diakite was given a chance by the Milwaukee Bucks when they signed him to a two-way contract following the draft. Throughout the season, Diakite had stints with both the Bucks and the G League, and he even managed to secure a championship victory with the Lakeland Magic.

In the 2020-2021 NBA season, Diakite’s fortunate streak carried on as he secured a spot on the roster and played a modest role in the Bucks’ triumphant journey towards clinching the NBA Championship.