Men's Basketball | 10/7/2025 1:30:00 PM

RALEIGH, N.C. – North Carolina Central men's basketball head coach LeVelle Moton was inducted into the Order of the Long Leaf Pine Society, considered North Carolina's highest civilian honor since its inception in 1963.

Governor Josh Stein presented the award to six recipients for their significant contributions to the state through service and accomplishments. Alongside Moton were Torry Holt (NC State football), Heather O'Reilly (UNC soccer), Jenny Levy (UNC lacrosse), Elliott Avent (NC State baseball) and Jordan Staal (Carolina Hurricanes).
  The Order of the Long Leaf Pine aims to "promote its ideals of civic leadership, service and accomplishment through the engaging of award recipients and support of programs with shared values and objectives," according to the society's website.

Moton received the award at the Governor's Mansion on Oct. 3, which hit close to home in more ways than one.

"As a kid, I literally grew up three blocks away from the Governor's Mansion," said Moton. "It served as a monument of hope for kids such as myself who were living in challenging circumstances."

For more information on NCCU Athletics, visit NCCUEaglePride.com.