A Whiteville native who went on to play for 12 seasons in the NFL is set to be posthumously inducted into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame next spring.
Chester McGlockton and 10 others will join more than 400 sports icons who’ve been welcomed into the hall of fame since 1963, according to an NCSHOF press release.
McGlockton’s football career.
While playing football at Whiteville High School, McGlockton was named a second-team All-American by USA Today, the release said. As a senior, McGlockton was a key part of the team that led Whiteville High School to the 1987 N.C. 2A Football Championship with a 15–0 record. His nine interceptions returned for touchdowns are still the NCHSAA career record.
McGlockton joined Clemson University in 1988 and played three seasons with the Tigers. McGlockton was a first-team All-ACC selection in 1991, the release said.
McGlockton played for four teams during his 12-season professional football career with the NFL, beginning in 1992 when the Los Angeles Raiders chose him as a first-round draft pick. While with the Raiders, he appeared in four straight Pro Bowls and was a first-team All-Pro selection in 1995.
McGlockton would later play for the Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs before finishing his NFL career in 2003 with the New York Jets.
Over 179 games with the NFL, McGlockton recorded 555 tackles, 51 sacks, 14 forced fumbles and four interceptions, according to the release.
McGlockton died in 2011 at the age of 42 at his home in California. At the time, he was in his second season as a defensive assistant coach for the Stanford University Cardinal football team.
Induction ceremony
Other inductees joining McGlockton in the state hall of fame in May include Cullen Jones, a swimmer and four-time Olympic medalist; Wendy Palmer, a Women's NBA All-Star; and Bobby Isaac, who was named one of NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers.
“The Class of 2025 of the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame is wonderfully diverse, just like the sports landscape of this great state,” said Rick Webb, president of the hall’s board of directors. “Trailblazers, icons and luminaries, from the high school ranks to the professional circuits — there is so much history encapsulated within these 11 inductees, all of whom contributed to the sports culture of North Carolina.”
McGlockton was previously inducted into the Greater Wilmington Sports Hall of Fame and the Tri-County Sports Hall of Fame in 2009.
McGlockton and the other inductees will be recognized at the NCSHOF 61st annual induction celebration, to be held at the Sheraton Greensboro in the Joseph S. Koury Convention Center. The celebration will be held May 2, 2025.
Tickets are now on sale for the ceremony. Go to ncshof.org for more information.
Copyright 2024 The News Reporter. All rights reserved.
WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) -
Tamera Young’s record-setting college basketball career and ten-year WNBA career may not have happened, had it not been for a decision made by her older sister when the two were teenagers. Tamera started playing the game outside her parents’ house in Wilmington and at Girls Inc, an after-school program in the city. Tamera and her sister Nikia both played AAU basketball, but when their team in Wilmington folded, they wanted to join a team in Raleigh. That’s when a gesture of love kept Tamera’s development on track.
“My mother couldn’t afford for both of us to play with the traveling, it was just a lot more expensive,” Tamera says. “My sister said ‘Mom, since Tamera loves the game more than I do, I’ll just sit out and let her do it’. So my sister sat out and I continued to play AAU. I’m always forever grateful for that, it’s a blessing. The sacrifices that my mother made, to put the money aside for me to the have the opportunity to play.”
Along with her skills, Tamera’s height grew dramatically as she entered Laney High School. A growth spurt took her to 6’2”, and she went from playing point guard to forward and center. Tamera became a star on Coach Sherry Tynes’ Lady Buccaneer teams, leading Laney to Mid-Eastern Conference championships in her junior and senior seasons. Despite her success, Tamera was not highly-recruited as a college prospect. She talks about the decision to attend James Madison University of the Colonial Athletic Association at 11:15 of the podcast.
“I remember playing in the East-West All-Star Game, and at that time I had already signed to James Madison,” Tamera remembers. “Even then were still college coaches didn’t know who I was. I won MVP for that basketball game, and I remember the coach for (University of North) Carolina asked one of my family members ‘who is this kid?’ People even then didn’t know who I was, but they knew I won MVP and I guess they saw something they hadn’t seen before.”
Coaches and fans that did not know who Tamera Young was, would soon learn about her talents. Under the guidance of James Madison Head Coach Kenny Brooks, Tamera took her game to new heights as a member of the Lady Dukes. She made the All-CAA first team as a sophomore, setting the first of her many school records for points, three-point field goals made and double-doubles (double-digit points and rebounds in a game). The prospect of Tamera playing professional basketball began to grow.
“I remember Coach Brooks telling me if I met him halfway, he could help me get to the WNBA,” she says. “It was always in the back of my mind, because I loved the game so much, and I knew that after college I wanted to still play.”
According to jmusports.com, here is a list of the school or league records Tamera held after her college career:
CAA and school career scoring record (2,121)
Second player in school history with more than 1,000 rebounds (1,127)
School record for points in a game (38)
School record season points (693)
School record season scoring average (20.4)
School-record career scoring average (16.7)
School-record career steals (275)
School-record career starts (125)
School-record 44 consecutive games in double figures
School career record 112 games scoring in double figures
School record 1,428 career points by a junior;
School sophomore records for points, field goals attempted, three-point field goals made and attempted
On April 9, 2008, Tamera’s dream became of playing in the Women’s National Basketball Association became reality. She was taken with the eighth pick of the first round by the expansion Atlanta Dream franchise, becoming the first JMU player drafted into the league. Tamera talks at 21:25 of the podcast about how nervous she was on draft night waiting for her name to be called.
“The waiting, my nerves were just going crazy, because you don’t know actually (when it will happen),” she says. “You hear things, there are predictions. But you don’t know exactly when your name is going to be called until it’s called. The night that my name was called, I was shocked.”
Basketball then became a job for the rookie from Wilmington. It wasn’t easy. Tamera was used to starting games, playing a lot of minutes, and winning. In her first season with the Dream, Tamera started just 15 of 33 games, and played just 22 minutes a game. Her 7.3 scoring average was well below what she was used to contributing, and the team finished with a 4-30 record.
“I did a lot of shopping that year,” Tamera says with a laugh. “Retail therapy. It was a big difference, you know, coming from winning, coming from playing all the time and having fun. Losing isn’t fun. No matter what you’re doing, no matter how much you love the game. Losing isn’t fun.”
Tamera’s career took another turn after that first season, when the Dream traded her to the Chicago Sky. Things started slowly with her new team, but in 2013 the team went 24-10 and won the WNBA’s Eastern Conference championship. The next season, the Sky made a second straight trip to the WNBA Finals, with Tamera starting all nine playoff games and coming up big for her team at a crucial moment. In game 2 of the Eastern Conference Championship series against the Indiana Fever, Tamera hit a last second shot to force overtime. The Sky ended up winning the game and advancing to the finals. Tamera talks about her time in Chicago and that highlight at 27:55 of the podcast.
During the 2017 season, Chicago traded Tamera back to Atlanta. She finished her tenth season and is currently a free agent, looking to sign with a team for 2018. During the offseason, Tamera is busy as CEO of her clothing line, TY1. Tamera launched the company in November 2016, and talks about becoming a businesswoman during the podcast.
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“I didn’t want to only focus on sports gear,” she says. “I also wanted to focus on different lifestyle clothing that you could wear outside of working out or training as well. It’s interesting. It’s something that I enjoy and that I love.”
In 2015, Tamera and former New Hanover HS star Kris Clark started an annual charity basketball event at the Martin Luther King Center in Wilmington. Proceeds from their Kill Cancer 3-on-3 Tournament benefit the American Cancer Society. Both athletes have a personal reason for donating their time and energy to the cause.
“It’s something that I dedicate to my father who died from cancer, and Kris dedicated to his father who passed from cancer as well,” Tamera says. “It makes us feel good to be in a situation where we can do something to make our fathers proud, but also do something for our city as well.”
Tamera Young says she has always lived by the motto of “prove doubters wrong”. Even to this day, she says there are people who second guess whether she can get the job done. Tamera has used that as motivation to succeed, both on and off the basketball court.
You can listen to the entire interview with Tamera Young on the free “1on1 with Jon Evans” podcast:
For iPhone/iPad/iPod listeners – Click here to go to the iTunes store to download the free Podcasts App and subscribe to the “1on1 with Jon Evans” podcast. Every time Jon produces a new episode, you’ll get it downloaded right on your device. Please subscribe to the podcast, and leave a review or a rating.
The "1on1 with Jon Evans" podcast is also available on SoundCloud. Click here to visit the podcast page and listen to the interview with Tamera Young.
For Android listeners – Click here to visit the podcast page on Stitcher Radio. You can also download the Stitcher Radio app and search for “1on1 with Jon Evans” podcast.
If you don’t have a mobile device – you can always listen to this episode by clicking on http://1on1withjonevans.libsyn.com.
Copyright 2017 WECT. All rights reserved.
http://www.wect.com/story/36597707/tamera-young-former-laney-hs-star-finds-success-on-and-off-the-wnba-courts-1on1-with-jon-evans-podcast
Devin McGlockton: Big man with big hustle
Learn more about Vanderbilt’s not-so-silent game-changer who gives his all on the court.
By Tyler Chueh, Staff Writer
Feb 18, 2025
From a young age, Devin McGlockton played all kinds of sports.
By first grade, he had tried soccer, baseball, basketball and football but ultimately fell in love with the latter two. He fondly remembers his first game of organized basketball, which he played in a local church league. From there, McGlockton progressed to travel ball, eventually joining the Georgia Stars — one of the top AAU clubs in Georgia — which has produced NBA stars such as Malik Beasley and Malcolm Brogdon.
Georgia holds a large part of McGlockton’s identity. Hailing from Forsyth County, the Georgia native grew up a fan of his local teams,
“I’m a Georgia guy, so I liked the [Atlanta] Braves, Hawks and Falcons,” McGlockton said. “My all-time favorite basketball player is definitely LeBron [James] because I’ve been watching him my whole life.”
While James was McGlockton’s favorite player, his biggest mentor came off the court. The junior credits his father, Leon, with his love for the game.
“[My] biggest mentor in my basketball journey [has been] my dad,” McGlockton said. “He was my mentor in all my sports. He’s more of a football guy, but he would give me the same advice [for] basketball [and] football and it really just molded me to who I am on the court.”
In high school, McGlockton remained a two-sport athlete, playing basketball and football. He started to shine in his junior year on the court, averaging 18 points and 8 rebounds and was named the Forsyth County News 2020-2021 player of the year. His senior year was no different. He averaged a double-double (18 points and 10 rebounds) and led his squad to a sensational season as South Forsyth High School won its first regional championship in 23 years. On top of the record-breaking season, McGlockton was also named first-team all-state as a tight end on the gridiron.
McGlockton often reminisces about his football playing days.
“I was a tight end. I was nasty,” McGlockton said.
Before West End
McGlockton always had hopes and dreams of going Division I in either football or basketball, but ultimately chose to pursue basketball at Boston College, the only Power Five school that offered him.
“I just wanted to go to the best school, football or basketball — it didn’t really matter to me.” McGlockton said, “[Head] coach [Earl] Grant at Boston College gave me a chance; that was my only Power Five school, so that’s where I went to.”
He spent two seasons with the Eagles under Grant. In his sophomore season at Boston College, McGlockton averaged 10.2 points and 6.3 rebounds per game, showcasing his offensive and defensive capabilities in the paint. His 3-point shooting flashed potential, as he shot 36.7% from downtown at nearly 2 attempts per game. His balanced game caught the eye of first-year head coach Mark Byington when he was tasked with bringing in transfers to put together his first Vanderbilt team.
“[McGlockton] has an ability to affect the game in every way — scoring, passing, rebounding, defending and making game-changing toughness play,” Byington said in an interview.
The Boston College transfer was ready for a change and excited to play for Byington.
“I just felt like it was time to change, [go] closer to home. I like the city of Nashville,” McGlockton said, “Everything was good about here — new facility and stuff. I heard good things about Coach [Byington], and I wanted to live up to the expectations for me. I love playing for him.”
A role to play
McGlockton stands at 6’7 and weighs 230 pounds, the size of a traditional power forward, but has been tasked with much more in the wake of Kijani Wright’s season-long absence. With Vanderbilt missing the only true center on its roster, McGlockton has been forced to play up in size. He’s done the majority of the team’s rebounding, averaging 8.1 boards per game, and leads the SEC in total offensive rebounds at 82. It’s not just his rebounding, though, as McGlockton is ranked second in offensive rating in the SEC, per BartTorvik, and twelfth nationally, per KenPom. When McGlockton is on the court, Vanderbilt does better as a team, and Byington knows that. The head coach went out of his way after a road loss to Tennessee to say it.
“[McGlockton] only played 17 minutes. He’s probably our most valuable guy, and not having him in there, maybe he can get something for us,” Byington said.
He was in foul trouble for much of the contest and couldn’t play his usual 24.4 minutes per game; Vanderbilt missed his presence.
The junior has proven himself an invaluable and durable piece to Vanderbilt’s squad, starting all 25 games this year — one of just two Commodores to do so (Tyler Nickel is the other). McGlockton never gives up on a play and has showcased his signature hustle in a number of clutch moments throughout the season.
Against South Carolina on Jan. 15, McGlockton had arguably his biggest moment of the season. The Gamecocks and Commodores were locked at 63 when he blocked Nick Pringle’s go-ahead layup with under 11 seconds remaining.
McGlockton followed his game-saving block on the other side of the court, boxing out Gamecocks and grabbing an offensive rebound after an AJ Hoggard missed layup. He then drew a foul and got the bucket to fall, all with 0.6 seconds remaining. The junior made the free throw to cushion the lead and put Vanderbilt on top, ultimately winning a crucial home game to keep Commodore NCAA Tournament hopes alive.
“Right after I got the putback, I knew there was time left, so I didn’t celebrate right away because I didn’t want anything to happen,” McGlockton said. “After the clock went down, it was very exciting to me; my parents were very excited, [and so were] my friends [and] teammates. It was really a great moment for me.”
The Commodores’ win over South Carolina may have had McGlockton’s most critical moments, but it was far from the team’s most exciting win. Vanderbilt went into Memorial Gymnasium soon after on Jan. 18 against No. 6 Tennessee, its in-state rival, and emerged victorious. McGlockton recorded 8 points and played exceptional defense against Tennessee’s bigs, helping the ‘Dores beat the Volunteers by one point.
“I know I’m new here, but I’ve seen the atmosphere. I’ve seen a lot of Tennessee fans come here for the football games and basketball games,” McGlockton said. “So it was good to rub it in their faces because it’s a rivalry.”
Exactly one week after their win against Tennessee, McGlockton and the Commodores secured yet another victory over No. 9 Kentucky. McGlockton delivered an even better performance in that matchup, putting up 14 points, 6 rebounds and 2 steals as he flashed his versatility as both an offensive and defensive dual-threat.
Hustle and heart
McGlockton might be playing center, but he offers so much more to this team. He can also shoot from 3-point range — he’s at 38.5% from downtown on the year. Still, it’s his hustle that sets the junior apart from similar players is his hustle on the court.
“My play style is to play hard and just never give up — that’s a big part of it. That leads to my offensive rebounds, my defensive rebounds, my blocks and my buckets,” McGlockton said. “That’s just how I like to play. I like to do the dirty stuff [and] I like to make the hustle plays. That’s just what I do.”
The Georgia native is the type of player who creates opportunities for his teammates, not needing the spotlight. Some of his connections on the court run deep, especially one with North Texas transfer Jason Edwards.
“Me and [Edwards] have a good connection on the court [since] we used to play AAU together in high school,” McGlockton said. “We went to visit [Vanderbilt] together, committed the same day; we just had that connection. It’s good to play with him at this level.”
McGlockton has excelled as the season has gone on and the competition has gotten stiffer. He poured in an SEC-high 22 points against Oklahoma on Feb. 1 and followed that up with a 14-point, 8-rebound performance on the road against then-No. 6 Florida. On the season, McGlockton is averaging 10.8 points and 7.8 rebounds while shooting 60.2% from the field, which ranks second, first and first, respectively, among all Black and Gold players.
As McGlockton continues his first season with the Commodores, what he hopes to achieve is pretty clear.
“I mean, all of our goal[s] are to make it to the NCAA Tournament, and it’s looking good right now,” McGlockton said. “So if we just keep up what we’re doing, keep being us, then I think we have a good shot at it.”
Though short, McGlockton’s tenure at Vanderbilt has been felt around campus athletics. If the Commodores reach the NCAA Tournament for the first time in nine years, it will be with the help of No. 99. While the postseason is up in the air, one thing is for certain: He will continue to bring his team wins through a willingness to hustle.
More than anything else, though, McGlockton loves being part of a team. He and the majority of his fellow Commodores might have only arrived on West End this year, but they’ve built an instant bond that’s led to on-court chemistry and a stellar season.
“Basketball has taught me how to be a part of a team and how to work with other people,” McGlockton said. “[It taught me] how to lead and how to work together for a shared goal.”
He’ll have a chance to flash his heart and hustle against on Feb. 19 at 6 p.m. CST as Vanderbilt goes for the season sweep against its rivals to the north in No. 17 Kentucky.
