2 Chainz’s Former College Basketball Coach Says Rapper Reminded Him of George ‘The Iceman’ Gervin

Before taking his talents to the rap game, 2 Chainz was a collegiate basketball player. That isn’t news. But, according to his former coach at Alabama State, Clayton Harris, the man formerly known as Tauheed Epps was actually pretty damn good.

In a new interview with Mid-Major Madness, Harris reveals that he was scouting another player on the North Clayton High School basketball team in College Park, Georgia when he came across Epps. “I first saw him play when I was up recruiting one of his teammates named Robert Jackson,” he said. “His skill was unbelievable.”

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Harris was so impressed with Epps’ ability to play the point guard, shooting guard, and small forward position and amazed by his family background and focus on scholastics that Alabama State felt compelled to extend him a scholarship offer. The 6-foot-5 2 Chainz played just 35 games with the Hornets, averaging 2.8 points and a little less than 11 minutes per game. 

So, was 2 Chainz as good at basketball as people say? “I know you’re going to think I’m crazy, but he reminded me of George ‘The Iceman’ Gervin with his body type and the stuff he could do on the floor,” Harris said. “He was real slick.” Wait, 2 Chainz is comparable to College Basketball and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer George “The Iceman” Gervin? That’s some pretty high praise coming from Harris—but hey, we’ll never know how right or wrong he is. 

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