ROANE STATE ATHLETICS INDUCTS TWO NEW HALL OF FAME MEMBERS

Roane State inducted two basketball standouts into its Athletics Hall of Fame on Saturday, February 21, honoring former player DeMierre Black and longtime coach and director of athletics Randy Nesbit as part of the 2026 class.

The ceremony, held on the Roane County Campus in Harriman, celebrated the duo's contributions to the Raiders' men's basketball program, blending prolific scoring on the court with enduring leadership off it.

Director of Athletics David Lane praised the inductees for their impact on the program's identity, emphasizing their roles in fostering a fast-paced, defensive style that continues to define Roane State today.

Black, a 6'1" combo guard from Hillgrove High School in Powder Springs, Georgia, arrived at Roane State in 2017 and quickly became one of the program's most dominant scorers.

Over two seasons, he averaged 22 points per game, earning NJCAA Second Team All-American honors in 2018-19. That sophomore year, Black started 33 of 34 games, scoring 749 points while shooting 46.8% from the field, 40% from three-point range and 84.6% from the free-throw line. He added 5.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.1 steals per game, leading the Raiders in scoring.

The team's run-and-jump press suited Black's skillset perfectly, allowing him to excel in transition with finishes in traffic, open threes and frequent trips to the line. His efficiency ranked him among national leaders in free-throw percentage and steals, providing offensive firepower and defensive versatility. Black's efforts helped elevate Roane State's profile in Region 7 play.

After Roane State, Black transferred to Purdue Fort Wayne, appearing in 49 games over two seasons in NCAA Division I. He completed his eligibility at Columbus State University in Division II before turning pro. In 2024, he signed with GIE Cibao Immortals in the Dominican Republic's LDC league, averaging nearly 18 points per game early in his stint.

Current coach Alan Holt, who spoke at the induction, highlighted Black's intangibles. "Anybody who knows DeMierre knows he's not a man of many words, but he's a very silent assassin," Holt said. "What made him so special wasn't all the accolades and the points he scored. It was the presence and the toughness that he brought to our team, and the dedication he put in everything."

Holt noted Black's work ethic, recalling how he often studied film on his laptop or at his apartment desk outside of team reviews. "He translated that to everything," Holt added. "His work ethic bled into our program. Still to this day, we have guys like him that put in that level of work and dedication to their craft."

Nesbit, who served as athletic director and men's basketball coach from 1992 to 2021, amassed 413 victories over 29 seasons, but his legacy extends to program-building. A native of Herminie, Pennsylvania, Nesbit starred at Yough High School before playing at Gulf Coast Community College and transferring to The Citadel, where he set the career assists record with 324 and tied a single-game mark with 13 against Marshall in 1979. He earned All-Southern Conference honors and helped the Bulldogs to their first 20-win season.

After a brief ABA stint, Nesbit coached at The Citadel, compiling a 75-121 record as head coach before joining Roane State. As AD, he oversaw expansions, including the return of men's golf and additions of women's golf and volleyball.

When Nesbit stepped away from athletics in 2021, the college named the gym court in his honor. His nomination for the TCCAA Hall of Fame in the Institutional Administration category recognized his success in the conference.

"The only thing to keep me in good stead with my soul was to care as much as I could about each player on and off the court," Nesbit said.

Lane noted the Hall of Fame event's significance. "Having them on campus and letting our current players and community hear their stories allowed us to pull on our past to build our future," he said.

The Athletics Hall of Fame, established in 2019, continues to recognize contributors to Roane State's sports programs.