Chance Gray’s Family Legacy Adds Special Meaning to Coretta Scott King Classic for Ohio State Guard

January 22, 2026

The Coretta Scott King Classic women's basketball doubleheader takes place Monday at Newark's Prudential Center, featuring four ranked teams in games that will be nationally televised on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The event holds particular significance for Ohio State senior Chance Gray, whose great-grandfather Benjamin Hooks was a civil rights leader who worked directly with Dr. King and served as NAACP executive director.

Who is affected

Ohio State senior Chance Gray (great-granddaughter of Benjamin Hooks)
The No. 14 Ohio State Buckeyes women's basketball team
The 10th-ranked TCU Horned Frogs women's basketball team
The fifth-ranked Vanderbilt Commodores women's basketball team
The No. 8 Michigan Wolverines women's basketball team
Michigan star Syla Swords
Vanderbilt coach Shea Ralph
TCU coach Mark Campbell and guard Donovyn Hunter
Bernice King, CEO of The King Center
Athletes, fans, and leaders attending or watching the event

What action is being taken

Four ranked women's basketball teams are playing in a doubleheader at the Prudential Center on Monday
The games are being nationally televised on MLK Day
Vanderbilt is spending multiple days in the area, having gone to dinner in New York and seen The Lion King on Saturday
Michigan is staying in the area for several days to also play Rutgers on Thursday

Why it matters

This event matters because it honors the legacy of Coretta Scott King and her contributions to education and public engagement during the civil rights movement. The classic provides educational opportunities for a new generation of athletes to learn about civil rights history and recognize often-overlooked contributions, particularly Coretta Scott King's behind-the-scenes work that enabled Dr. King's achievements. It celebrates Black excellence in basketball and provides a platform for ranked teams to compete on a meaningful stage during MLK Day. For players like Chance Gray, whose family was directly involved in the civil rights movement, the event creates a personal connection between sports and historical legacy.

What's next

Michigan will face Rutgers on Thursday after the classic, taking advantage of being in the area for multiple days.

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint