Hip-hop mogul and entrepreneur Grasp P, born Percy Miller, was not too long ago appointed because the President of Basketball Operations on the College of New Orleans (UNO). In shaping his imaginative and prescient for this system, Grasp P not too long ago expressed how he plans to attract inspiration from NFL Corridor of Famer Deion Sanders’ teaching blueprint in HBCU soccer throughout his time as head coach at Jackson State.
In a current interview on X.com, Grasp P expressed his admiration for Sanders’ achievements and his intent to emulate that success at UNO. He remarked, “Deion Sanders is opening doorways, he did it in soccer, he did an important job. That’s the GOAT; I salute him.” Grasp P additional elaborated on his aspirations, stating, “If I can try this in New Orleans, within the basketball world—and we talked rather a lot about this—that is my time to shine.”
Deion Sanders, affectionately generally known as “Coach Prime,” made headlines in 2020 when he accepted the top teaching place at Jackson State College (JSU), an HBCU. His tenure introduced unprecedented nationwide consideration to this system, together with top-tier recruits like Travis Hunter and continuous nationwide media protection. Notably, Sanders’ dedication to HBCUs was private; he coached his sons, Shilo and Shedeur, at JSU, each of whom performed pivotal roles on the group.
Grasp P’s HBCU connection
Grasp P’s connection to HBCUs can be deeply private. He holds honorary doctorates from HBCUs Lincoln College and Grambling State College. His son, Hercy Miller, initially dedicated to play basketball at Tennessee State College (TSU), one other distinguished HBCU. Hercy’s resolution was seen as a big endorsement of HBCU athletic packages. Nonetheless, as a consequence of issues over medical sources, Hercy transferred from TSU after a short tenure.
Miller was requested if he deliberate to emulate the father-son factor of Deion Sanders’ HBCU tenure by bringing his son Mercy to play for UNO. “My son making his personal identify, he’s on his personal journey so I’m gonna let him do his journey,” mentioned Miller of his son Mercy Miller, who has dedicated to play basketball for the College of Houston.
Deion Sanders responded to Grasp P’s feedback with heat and encouragement. Posting, “Love this brother from day 1. He’s blessed extra of us than darn close to anybody within the sport. And he’s nonetheless giving.” in response to the video.
Grasp P’s imaginative and prescient for UNO
Grasp P’s imaginative and prescient for UNO extends past the basketball court docket. He goals to raise the college’s profile, appeal to a various scholar physique, and supply mentorship to student-athletes. Drawing from his entrepreneurial background, Grasp P plans to implement packages that put together college students for achievement each on and off the court docket.
“That is greater than the sport,” mentioned Miller on his position with UNO. “It’s about educating and creating future leaders on the identical time. I’m right here to ensure that these younger student-athletes have the alternatives, sources, and mentorship to succeed on and off the court docket. UNO is our tradition, our group, our metropolis, our group and our household. It’s time to carry the love and keenness again to New Orleans basketball.”
The collaborative spirit between Grasp P and Deion Sanders highlights a broader motion to boost the prominence and sources of athletic packages at HBCUs and related establishments. As Grasp P embarks on this new chapter with the College of New Orleans, the blueprint laid out by Deion Sanders serves as each a information and an inspiration. Their shared dedication to excellence, mentorship, and group improvement hopes to proceed to usher in a brand new period for collegiate athletics the place distinguished figures give again to their communities with their time, sources, and affect.
