JACKSON – The Mississippi Community & Junior College Sports Hall of Fame held their 20th annual induction ceremony on Tuesday night at the Muse Center and Northwest Mississippi Community College standout Detric Golden became the 23rd inductee for the Rangers, honoring his incredible accomplishments for both Northwest and at the University of Memphis, Troy University, and in professional basketball.
Joining him during the evening were his wife, April, and daughter, Alana, along with Northwest President Dr. Michael J. Heindl, Athletic Director Jake Gordon, and members of the Ranger men's basketball team.
"It's a great honor," Golden said. "I appreciate the call, the nomination. Any time someone appreciates your body of work, it's a great honor. Thank you to President Heidl and everyone for nominating me for the award."
The award was presented to him by President Heindl, and it was one that he said was an honor to present to the standout alumnus of Northwest for more than just his athletic accomplishments.
"It is truly an honor to recognize Detric as this year's Sports Hall of Fame inductee," President Heindl said. "His stats for the Rangers were record-setting, but his continued positive influence in working with youth makes this award even more special as it aligns so closely with the College's mission of transforming student lives."
Gordon echoed that, saying that Golden's numbers speak for themselves.
"Detric is very deserving of getting into the state Hall of Fame," he said. "He was a great basketball player for the Rangers, and a great representative for Northwest."
Golden was a standout for the Rangers on the basketball court from 1995-97, helping to lead Northwest to a 58-10 record, playing in 67 career games while averaging 18.3 points, 9.6 assists, 2.9 steals, and 2.9 rebounds per game. He finished his two years at Northwest as the all-time leader in points scored with 1,223, assists with 642, steals with 192, and free throws made with 315.
This resulted in the Rangers winning two state championships, two division titles, a Region 23 championship, and a sixth-place finish at the 1996 NJCAA Tournament. He was named a two-time all-state selection and a 1997 NJCAA Second Team All-American.
"It was my first time living in a new state, and Coach Dukes was my dad away from home," Golden, who is originally from Memphis, said. "The way we had a winning record, and we were a great team that won a lot, that's one of my funnest memories of being there."
After playing at Northwest, he moved on to the University of Memphis, where he averaged 14.2 points, 3.0 assists, and 2.7 rebounds in 29 games, earning an All-Conference USA selection for the Tigers. He transferred to Troy University for his senior season, where he averaged 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, becoming the first player in the Division I era to accomplish the feat.
He spent time in the professional ranks after being selected by the Gulf Coast SunDogs of the USBL draft in 2000, with stints with Hamburg (Germany), Memphis HD (USA-ABA), and Bervard BD (USA-USBL).
"A lot of the habits I took from Northwest I took to Memphis, and also the short stint in Germany," Golden said. "Just that winning tradition that Coach Dukes instilled in me. He was a tough coach, and when I needed to be disciplined, he got on me if I wasn't playing to my potential, and when I was playing great, he praised me. Just the winning attitude, and I took that with me."
Golden moved on from basketball to help with the organization Boys Town, which gives him a chance to work with young boys, where he can help instill the same values that he learned while at Northwest.
"It's a boys' home for kids that have been displaced with their families. Sometimes they age out with us, sometimes they are lucky enough to be, and that's kind of what I do, I build them up in what matters and how to conduct themselves in the real world."
Golden is the sixth member of the Ranger men's basketball team to be inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame, and the fourth player, joining his former coach Marc Dukes (2022), Galen Young (2018), Don Randolph (2011), Jamie W. Howell Sr., and Harry Adair (2008).
