For a lot of people, basketball is the headline. But on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, Charlotte Hornets guard Coby White and his family made it clear—this time, the focus is books.
They announced a scholarship initiative aimed at providing financial assistance to two students from minority communities in North Carolina. The plan is simple on paper: $10,000 each, awarded to one male and one female student entering their freshman year of college. And yeah, it’s tied to something personal—honoring the legacy of White’s late father, Donald L. White, along with his aunts, Lynell King and Valerie Davis.
There’s a particular kind of sincerity in how White talked about it, almost like he’s repeating something he heard so many times it became habit. “My dad always said the books and academics always came before basketball,” said Coby White. “They instilled in me at a young age that education and school were very important, so I always took that very seriously.”
The logistics matter here because the window is short. Misryoum newsroom reported that the application window for these funds is scheduled to close on Wednesday, April 15. To qualify, applicants must be rising freshmen who have secured full acceptance to specific North Carolina institutions. Eligible schools include East Carolina University, UNC-Chapel Hill, UNC-Greensboro, North Carolina Central University, and North Carolina A&T. (If you’re sitting with the details already, you probably don’t need reminding—if not, time’s moving.)
What stands out is the way the initiative is framed. It isn’t just financial help; it’s a message about academic excellence within the Black and Brown communities, reflecting the values White’s family prioritized during his upbringing in Goldsboro. The scholarship is meant to carry that family legacy forward, not as a footnote, but as a practical step—two students, two checks, and a direct runway into college.
And this move isn’t floating alone. It comes while White is also continuing community engagement efforts during the 2025-2026 NBA season. It’s one of those moments where the “public figure” and the “private principle” line up. You can almost picture it—the low hum of a gym, shoes squeaking somewhere nearby—while someone is out there thinking about what comes after the season, not just during it. Actually, scratch that, maybe that’s just my brain filling in the gaps, but the intention feels consistent.
For students in North Carolina, the next step is straightforward: check eligibility, gather what you need, and apply before the deadline. After that, it becomes the quieter work—walking into a classroom ready to use the opportunity, because the books were always supposed to come first.
Sekou Gassama, el cambio que Universitario quiere en Libertadores
Trail Blazers vs Suns live stream: NBA play-in (Apr 14, 2026)
What happened to Bam Adebayo? Latest injury updates for Heat vs. Hornets