Northwest Mississippi Basketball Star Detric Golden Inducted into Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame
JACKSON — Detric Golden was inducted into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame during the organization’s 20th annual ceremony Tuesday night at the Muse Center. The Northwest Mississippi Community College alumnus was recognized for his accomplishments at Northwest, the University of Memphis, Troy University, and in professional basketball, according to organizers.
The ceremony was attended by Golden’s wife, April, daughter Alana, Northwest President Dr. Michael J. Heindl, Athletic Director Jake Gordon, and members of the Ranger men’s basketball team. Golden expressed appreciation for the honor, saying, “It’s a great honor. I appreciate the call, the nomination. Any time someone appreciates your body of work, it’s a great honor.”
Heindl presented Golden with the award, praising his athletic achievements and his positive influence in youth mentorship. “His stats for the Rangers were record-setting, but his continued positive influence in working with youth makes this award even more special,” Heindl said, noting how Golden’s work aligns with the college’s mission of transforming student lives. Gordon added that Golden’s numbers speak for themselves, calling him “a great basketball player and a great representative for Northwest.”
Golden played for Northwest from 1995 to 1997, helping lead the team to a 58-10 record. He played in 67 games, averaging 18.3 points, 9.6 assists, 2.9 steals, and 2.9 rebounds per game. He finished his two seasons as the school’s all-time leader in points scored with 1,223, assists with 642, steals with 192, and free throws made with 315. His team won two state championships, two division titles, a Region 23 championship, and finished sixth at the 1996 NJCAA Tournament. He was a two-time all-state selection and a 1997 NJCAA Second Team All-American.
Originally from Memphis, Golden said, “It was my first time living in a new state, and Coach Dukes was my dad away from home. We had a winning record and a great team—that’s one of my fondest memories of being there.” After Northwest, he transferred to the University of Memphis, where he averaged 14.2 points, 3.0 assists, and 2.7 rebounds in 29 games, earning All-Conference USA honors. He transferred to Troy University for his senior year, averaging 18 points, 5.9 assists, and 3.8 rebounds per game. He was named Conference Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year at Troy, the first player in the Division I era to earn both honors.
Golden also played professionally, being drafted by the Gulf Coast SunDogs of the USBL in 2000 and later playing in Germany with Hamburg, as well as stints with Memphis HD (USA-ABA) and Bervard BD (USA-USBL). “A lot of the habits I took from Northwest I took to Memphis and Germany,” he said. “The winning tradition Coach Dukes instilled in me shaped my attitude. He was a tough coach who disciplined and praised me when I deserved it. That winning attitude stayed with me.”
Beyond basketball, Golden now works with Boys Town, a boys’ home supporting displaced youth. He helps young boys build character and life skills, passing on the values he learned at Northwest. He is the sixth member of the Northwest men’s basketball team to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, and the fourth player, joining fellow inductees such as Marc Dukes (2022), Galen Young (2018), and others.
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