Hampton's basketball program began in 1921 at the HBCU in Hampton, Virginia. The Pirates compete in the CAA (formerly Big South and MEAC) and have made several NCAA Tournament appearances. The program has been a consistent contender in its conference.
The Pirates nickname references the maritime history of Hampton Roads, Virginia, one of the most important naval and shipping regions in American history.
Upsetting second-seeded Iowa State in the first round of the 2001 NCAA Tournament, one of the most memorable HBCU upsets in tournament history.
Hampton's campus sits on the Chesapeake Bay waterfront, and the university was founded in 1868 by Black and White leaders to educate formerly enslaved people — making its basketball success part of a larger story of perseverance.
The Hampton Pirates compete in the CAA and hold an all-time record of 466–486 (.489 winning percentage) across 31 recorded seasons dating back to 1995-96.
| Season | Record | Conference | Coach | AP peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 13-19 | 7-11 (CAA) | Ivan Thomas | |
| 2024-25 | 17-16 | 8-10 (CAA) | Ivan Thomas | |
| 2023-24 | 9-24 | 3-15 (CAA) | Edward Joyner | |
| 2022-23 | 8-24 | 5-13 (CAA) | Edward Joyner | |
| 2021-22 | 9-19 | 5-11 (Big South) | Edward Joyner | |
| 2020-21 | 11-14 | 9-9 (Big South) | Edward Joyner | |
| 2019-20 | 15-19 | 8-10 (Big South) | Edward Joyner | |
| 2018-19 | 18-17 | 9-7 (Big South) | Edward Joyner | |
| 2017-18 | 19-16 | 12-4 (MEAC) | Edward Joyner | |
| 2016-17 | 14-17 | 11-5 (MEAC) | Edward Joyner | |
| 2015-16 | 21-11 | 13-3 (MEAC) | Edward Joyner | |
| 2014-15 | 17-18 | 8-8 (MEAC) | Edward Joyner | |
| 2013-14 | 18-13 | 13-4 (MEAC) | Edward Joyner | |
| 2012-13 | 14-17 | 11-5 (MEAC) | Edward Joyner | |
| 2011-12 | 12-21 | 6-10 (MEAC) | Edward Joyner | |
| 2010-11 | 24-9 | 11-5 (MEAC) | Edward Joyner | |
| 2009-10 | 14-18 | 8-8 (MEAC) | Edward Joyner | |
| 2008-09 | 16-16 | 8-8 (MEAC) | Kevin Nickelberry | |
| 2007-08 | 18-12 | 11-5 (MEAC) | Kevin Nickelberry | |
| 2006-07 | 15-16 | 10-8 (MEAC) | Kevin Nickelberry | |
| 2005-06 | 16-16 | 10-8 (MEAC) | Bobby Collins | |
| 2004-05 | 17-13 | 13-5 (MEAC) | Bobby Collins | |
| 2003-04 | 13-17 | 11-7 (MEAC) | Bobby Collins | |
| 2002-03 | 19-11 | 13-5 (MEAC) | Bobby Collins | |
| 2001-02 | 26-7 | 17-1 (MEAC) | Steve Merfeld | |
| 2000-01 | 25-7 | 14-4 (MEAC) | Steve Merfeld | |
| 1999-00 | 17-12 | 13-5 (MEAC) | Steve Merfeld | |
| 1998-99 | 8-19 | 8-10 (MEAC) | Steve Merfeld | |
| 1997-98 | 14-12 | 11-7 (MEAC) | Steve Merfeld | |
| 1996-97 | 8-19 | 7-11 (MEAC) | Byron Samuels | |
| 1995-96 | 9-17 | MEAC | Byron Samuels |
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| Rank | Team | Conference | All-Time Wins |
|---|
Top 100 by all-time D1 wins. Verified against the NCAA record book — and tiered so you can argue properly.
| # | COACH | RECORD | WIN % | SCHOOL(S) | YEARS | BEST SEASON / LEGACY |
|---|