Mahershala Ali could play some hoops

Under the name of Hershal Gilmore, then Mahershala Gilmore, he played for St. Mary’s (California), where he was a point guard.

His college career was underwhelming, but here is a nice article about his high school years, when he led his tiny school to an unlikely berth in the California state championship game. He earned praise for his talent, his unselfish play, his academic record, his tutoring of the younger kids, and for just being an overall great and humble guy.