By Dorothy J. Gentry
Texas Metro News
https://texasmetronews.com
Decades ago, William “Po Bill” Patterson funneled his love of basketball and the City of Dallas into a small local tournament that eventually turned into one of the premier pro-am tournaments in the country. The “Po Bill’s Basketball Classic,” which is in its 48th year, has been a driving force in Dallas’ growing Pro-Am basketball scene.
Moments before his induction into the Texas Black Sports Hall of Fame on Saturday afternoon, Patterson reflected on his journey and his love for youth and basketball.
“This, Dallas, the kids, it all means the world to me. Dallas got me started in this,” he said. “The kids have always mattered. I had the Pro-Am at the Martin Luther KIng Jr. Center and they (potential sponsors) tried to get me to go to North Dallas.
“I told them no and the reason why,” Patterson continued. “Because these kids in South Dallas can’t afford to go to all these other places. They can’t afford it.”
Patterson stood his ground but it cost him. “I refused. It costs me sponsorships but I’m still here. I’m still kicking 48-years-later.”
The 87-year-old Patterson was inducted Saturday into the Texas Black Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2026 along with 13 other historic sports legends. The annual event, marking 30 years this year, was held at the Renaissance Dallas Hotel and was presented by The Friends of Sports History of the African American Museum, Dallas and sponsored by the Parrish Charitable Foundation.
Four-time NBA All-Star and Dallas Mavs legend Rolando Blackmon was honorary chair and long-time D/FW radio personality and Class of 2019 HOF inductee Chris Arnold was the Master of Ceremony.
James Mays II, District 13-5A Coach of the Year, was honored with the Legends Award for his work in Dallas ISD over 3 decades, including South Oak Cliff High school head boys basketball coach since 1999 and 13 years as South Oak Cliff Athletic Director.
“Our stories matter, even when they try to erase us,” said HOF inductee Laquan Stallworth, a former professional women’s basketball player whose career spans elite competition, coaching and creative leadership.
“I learned early on I was not responsible just for myself, but for those who came behind me” she said. “Thank you so much. I take this honor with gratitude. Thank you for the recognition,” said Stallworth who was inducted into the Texas High School Basketball Hall of Fame in 2025.
Basketball coaching legend Robert “Snake” LeGrand – who passed away in July of 2025 at the age of 81 – was posthumously inducted and was represented by his wife, Gloria.
“I am really excited that everyone gets to see what he did because people say, ‘we didn’t know he did this, we didn’t know he did that,” said LeGrand’s wife of 44 years. “This is a showcase for what he did. He did not brag about it, he was too busy uplifting other people. I’m thankful for his family and his friends who he loved so dearly.
“And I want to end with: the legacy of the man, the myth, the ‘LeGrand’ will live on forever.”
Longtime D/FW and Texas journalist Price, who has spent 51 years as a professional journalist, opened his acceptance speech with this: “To God be the Glory.”
“Anyone who gets in my car, the first song they will hear is ‘My God is Awesome,” said Price. “There’s a line in that song that says to look back over your life and see where the Lord has brought you from. And I can honestly say the Lord has brought me from a mighty long way. I had no idea this would happen to me some day.
Toward the end of the ceremony in a surprise move that even he didn’t see coming, Roland Parrish was honored as the last inductee of the Class of 2026 and received his purple jacket at the end of the standing-room only event.
In addition to Patterson, Stallworth, LeGrand and Price, the Class of 20206 included:
- Lovie Smith (coach) – Veteran football coach who led the Chicago Bears to a Super Bowl and was named NFL Coach of the Year in 2005. Raised in Big Sandy, Texas.
- Jerry Mumphrey (baseball) – Tyler native and MLB outfielder who played for five teams and was an All-Star with the Houston Astros in 1984.
- Calvin “C.J.” Miles Jr. (basketball) – Dallas Skyline standout who went from high school to the NBA, earning Texas Mr. Basketball honors in 2005 and playing 16 NBA seasons.
- Cydryce McMillian (coach) – Veteran volleyball coach with more than two decades of experience, known for building successful programs and strong team culture.
- Winston Hill (football, posthumously) – Texas Southern alum and standout offensive tackle who anchored the New York Jets during the Super Bowl III era, earning multiple Pro Bowl honors.
- Johnny Roland (football) – Corpus Christi native who led Roy Miller High School to a 1960 state title, became NFL Rookie of the Year and later coached in the league.
- Dick Hall (soccer) – Former Dallas Tornado defender and U.S. national team player who later helped develop North Texas soccer programs.
- Leslie Oduwole (tennis) – Two-time collegiate All-American who went on to become a coach and athletic administrator in Texas.
- Sara Davis (track) – Track and field coach who became head women’s coach at Texas A&M University-Commerce in 2008.
Anthony Reed (track and field) – Distance running leader who served as executive director of the National Black Marathoners Association.
