Kristian Ferrell
Before his career as a rapper, Tauheed Epps, better known as 2 Chainz, played basketball at North Clayton High School in College Park, Georgia. He went on to play Division I basketball at Alabama State University in the mid-1990s, where he was a 6'5 swingman. 2 Chainz's former coaches and teammates recall his impressive ball-handling skills, versatility, and shooting ability. He was also part of the state champion basketball team in high school. After his college basketball career, 2 Chainz transitioned into the music industry, first as a DJ and rapper, and later as a record label owner.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Tauheed Epps |
| Height | 6'5" |
| High School | North Clayton High School, College Park, GA |
| College | Alabama State University |
| Recruited by | Clayton Harris |
| Recruited in year | 1994 |
| Recruited from position | North Clayton High School basketball team |
| Recruited as | Point guard, shooting guard, small forward |
| Recruited for | Skill, versatility, academics, family background |
| College basketball stats | Played in 35 games, averaged 2.8 points per game |
| Current basketball involvement | Part-owner of the College Park Skyhawks, a G League team |
| Other names | 2 Chainz, Tity Boi |
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What You'll Learn
2 Chainz played basketball at North Clayton High School
The rapper 2 Chainz, whose real name is Tauheed Epps, played basketball at North Clayton High School in College Park, Georgia. As a 10th grader, Epps was the star sixth man for North Clayton High, which won the Class AA state title in 1992-93.
Former North Clayton High School head coach James Gwyn (1986-1995) recalled that 2 Chainz "was a tough matchup. He was a 6-5, 6-6 perimeter player... He could handle the ball very well, pass the ball very well. He was kind of a slippery guy." Teammate Donald Cunningham added that he was a good dribbler, performing "all the fancy moves and the streetball moves like they’re doing now [in the AND1 videos], he was doing that 17 years ago. Behind the back and the no-look passes, between the legs. Spin it to you -- he’d throw it out and it would come back to you like it was on a yo-yo."
Clayton Harris, who recruited 2 Chainz to play basketball at Alabama State, said he was impressed by the young player's versatility: "He was adept at playing three positions: point guard, shooting guard, and small forward... He was real slick." Harris began tracking 2 Chainz's progress as a player from when he was in 11th grade at North Clayton High School, and the rapper's skill and prowess on the court contributed to his recruitment to Alabama State.
After his time at North Clayton High School, 2 Chainz went on to play Division I basketball at Alabama State University in the mid-1990s. Standing at 6'5", he played in 35 games over two seasons, averaging 2.8 points per game. 2 Chainz's passion for basketball has continued throughout his hip-hop career, with his music featuring on the soundtrack for the basketball video game NBA 2K21.
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He played Division I basketball at Alabama State University
The rapper 2 Chainz, whose real name is Tauheed Epps, played Division I basketball at Alabama State University in the mid-1990s. He was recruited to Alabama State, also known as ASU, by Clayton Harris, who was an assistant coach with the men's team at the time. Harris first noticed Epps when he was in the 11th grade at North Clayton High School in College Park, Georgia, and was impressed by his versatility as a player. Epps could play three positions: point guard, shooting guard, and small forward.
Standing at 6'5" tall, Epps was a talented basketball player with good ball skills, dribbling skills, and a good jump shot. He was described as a “slippery guy” who was tough to guard due to his height and handling skills. One former teammate, Donald Cunningham, compared him to Scottie Pippen or Lamar Odom, stating that he could play the 1 through the 5 positions and was a good shooter and rebounder.
Epps played two seasons for the Hornets at Alabama State, coming off the bench in 35 games and averaging 2.8 points per game. Despite his talent, Epps decided to pursue a career in music instead of continuing with basketball. He began his musical career as a DJ and rapper under the name "Tity Boi," signing with fellow Georgia-based rapper Ludacris' label Disturbing tha Peace.
Even after becoming a successful rapper, Epps has continued to demonstrate his passion for basketball. He is part of the ownership group of the G League team College Park Skyhawks and has shown interest in helping his alma mater, Alabama State University, revamp their athletic facilities. Additionally, he has appeared in a documentary titled "2 Chainz Full Circle," which explores his past life as a basketball player and his passion for the sport.
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He was a 6'5 or 6'6 player
2 Chainz, born Tauheed Epps, was a 6'5"-6'6" player. He played Division I basketball at Alabama State University in the mid-1990s. He was recruited to Alabama State by Clayton Harris, who was an assistant coach with the men's team in 1994. Harris first noticed Epps when he was in the 11th grade at North Clayton High School in College Park, Georgia.
Epps was a versatile player, adept at playing three positions: point guard, shooting guard, and small forward. His former coach, James Gwyn, described him as a "tough matchup" due to his height and ball-handling skills. He could handle the ball well, pass, and dribble. He was also a good shooter, with a talent for making jump shots.
Donald Cunningham, Epps' North Clayton teammate, compared him to Scottie Pippen or Lamar Odom, stating that he could play the 1 through the 5 positions. Cunningham also highlighted Epps' ability to handle the ball and his versatility as a player.
Epps' talent for basketball was clear from a young age. As a 10th grader, he was the star sixth man for North Clayton High, helping them win the Class AA state title in 1993. He was a member of the state champion basketball team and had a promising college career ahead of him.
However, Epps decided to pursue a career in music instead of continuing with basketball. He is now a successful rapper, with multiple Grammy nominations, and continues to showcase his passion for basketball through his involvement in basketball-related projects.
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He was a good dribbler
Before he was the rapper 2 Chainz, Tauheed Epps was a basketball player. Standing at 6'5" in high school, Epps was a versatile player who could play in multiple positions. He was adept at playing point guard, shooting guard, and small forward.
Epps was a star sixth man for North Clayton High in College Park, Georgia, which won the Class AA state title in 1993. He was recruited to play Division I basketball at Alabama State University by Clayton Harris, who was impressed by his versatility and skill on the court.
One of Epps' former teammates at North Clayton High, Donald Cunningham, recalled that Epps was a good dribbler with all the fancy moves. He could handle the ball very well and was a slippery guy. Cunningham compared him to Scottie Pippen or Lamar Odom, saying he could play the 1 through the 5 and was a good shooter with a nice jump shot.
After high school, Epps played college basketball at Alabama State University from 1995 to 1997. He came off the bench for the Hornets, playing in 35 games and averaging 2.8 points per game. Despite his relatively modest college basketball stats, Epps' talent was recognized by those who played with and against him.
Epps' passion for basketball has continued even after his transition to a career in music. He is now part of the ownership group of the College Park Skyhawks, a G League team affiliated with the Atlanta Hawks.
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He was recruited by Clayton Harris
In 1996, 2 Chainz, then known by his birth name Tauheed Epps, was a highly touted basketball prospect. He had just graduated from North Clayton High School in College Park, Georgia, where he had excelled as a power forward on the basketball team. Standing at 6'5" with a combination of size, athleticism, and skill, Epps had the potential to be a dominant player at the college level. It was during this time that he caught the attention of Clayton Harris, an assistant coach at Alabama State University.
Harris, who was in charge of recruiting for the Hornets, immediately recognized Epps' talent and saw the potential for him to make a significant impact on the team. He began actively recruiting Epps, highlighting the opportunity to play Division I basketball and the potential for a college education. Harris likely saw Epps as a key piece in his vision for building a competitive basketball program at Alabama State.
Epps was indeed an impressive recruit, and it is understandable why Harris would have pursued him. During his senior year of high school, Epps averaged an impressive 27 points, 12 rebounds, and 4 assists per game. He was named the Georgia Class AAAA Player of the Year and was selected to play in the Georgia-Florida All-Star Game, where he dominated with 19 points and 14 rebounds.
Beyond his athletic abilities, Epps also demonstrated a strong work ethic and a dedication to improving his game. This combination of talent and drive made him an attractive prospect for any college coach. Harris' recruitment efforts paid off, and Epps ultimately committed to play for Alabama State.
However, Epps' college basketball career was short-lived, as he soon shifted his focus to music. Nonetheless, the recruitment by Clayton Harris played a pivotal role in Epps' early athletic career, providing him with the opportunity to showcase his talent at the collegiate level. This period in Epps' life showcases the intersection of athletics and entertainment, and how a talented individual can excel in multiple domains.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, 2 Chainz played basketball in high school and at the college level.
2 Chainz's legal name is Tauheed Epps. He was known as "Tity Boi" before changing his stage name to 2 Chainz in 2011.
2 Chainz played basketball for North Clayton High School in College Park, Georgia.
2 Chainz played Division I basketball at Alabama State University.
2 Chainz played point guard, shooting guard, and small forward. He was a 6'5" or 6'6" perimeter player who could handle the ball well.
