Few HBCU basketball programs have a history extensive as North Carolina A&T, and Lewis Walker is already writing his name in the book. On February 7, 2026, Lewis Walker delivered one of those moments, rewriting the HBCU’s record book with games still left to play. Walker surpassed a freshman scoring mark that had stood for more than four decades. The achievement came during NC A&T latest contest. Walker scored 17 points, pushing his season total to 421. That number moved him past Joe Binion’s freshman record of 418 points, set during the 1980–81 season. Within the modern CAA era, few accomplishments carry more weight for the program.
The Weight of Joe Binion’s Legacy
Any record tied to Joe Binion holds special meaning at NC A&T. Binion stands as one of the most decorated players in school history and remains a benchmark for greatness. His resume shaped the foundation of HBCU basketball program long before the transition into the Coastal Athletic Association.
Binion earned MEAC Player of the Year honors three times and claimed Outstanding Player awards in the conference tournament twice. He also helped guide NC A&T to its first three NCAA Tournament appearances. Those teams defined an era and set expectations that still echo inside Corbett Sports Center.
Statistically, Binion’s dominance remains unmatched. He leads NC A&T in career points with 2,143, rebounds with 1,257, and field goals made with 837. He also ranks top ten in free throws made, steals, and blocked shots. Only 120 players in NCAA history have recorded 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds in a career, and Binion is one of them. For a freshman to break one of his records signals something significant.
A Freshman Thriving for NC A&T
Walker’s moment came naturally, almost inevitably. The redshirt freshman from Winston-Salem, North Carolina scored 17 points on February 7, 2026 to push his season total to 421 points, eclipsing Binion’s freshman mark. It happened not as a fluke or a chase, but as part of a season defined by consistency and poise. Through the grind of CAA play, Walker has looked anything but new to the stage. His scoring record now stands as the highest single season total by a freshman in NC A&T history, a remarkable achievement within the competitive Coastal Athletic Association…