Flint Northern, 1986
2025 Greater Flint African American Sports Hall of Fame Inductee
Category: Basketball
Demetrius Calip is a proud graduate of Flint Northern High School, the legendary school where his athletic journey and basketball dominance began. In his senior season, Demetrius averaged 15.2 points per game earning him All-City, All-Valley and All-State honors at the guard position. The recognition that Demetrius received in high school earned him an athletic scholarship to play basketball at the University of Michigan.
Demetrius ended up playing a significant role for the Wolverines, especially in the NCAA Tournament, helping Michigan win a National Championship in 1989 with an 80-79 overtime victory over Seton Hall. In his senior season at the University of Michigan, Demetrius dominated by leading the Wolverines in scoring with 20.5 points per game. That same season he started in every game and led the team in assists and minutes played.
After scoring 28 points in his final collegiate game Demetrius continued his basketball career professionally in the NBA with the Los Angeles Lakers and in the CBA with multiple teams. Demetrius also took his talents to the acting world where he appeared in the basketball themed films “Blue Chips” starring Shaquille O’Neal and “Eddie” starring Whoopi Goldberg.
Demetrius went on to manage a mortgage company, he also coached high school basketball and helped train other basketball players to pass on his great knowledge of the game. From 2008 to 2012 Demetrius was a varsity assistant coach at Taft High School, a charter school in California, and helped them capture the 2011 C.I.F. Los Angeles City Section championship.
Demetrius Calip, you are the true definition of being “Flint Strong!” You have made Flint proud, welcome to the Greater Flint African American Sports Hall of Fame!
