On winter nights in Worcester, Massachusetts, Aaron Nkrumah learned to play basketball in crowded gyms where everybody knew his name, his family and where he came from. The city might look big on a map, but to Nkrumah it always felt small — the kind of place where community forms quickly and pride travels fast.

Those lessons followed him more than 1,000 miles south to Tennessee State.

A 6-foot-6 senior guard, Nkrumah is now one of the steady voices inside the TSU men's basketball program, a Division I contributor whose path began far from the national recruiting spotlight. His journey from Division III Worcester State to the Ohio Valley Conference was shaped as much by his hometown roots as by the risk he took leaving them behind.

"Everybody knows everybody back home," Nkrumah said. "It's a sports city. Basketball really brought the community together."

A South High School product, Nkrumah grew up surrounded by competition. Sports were everywhere — playgrounds, school gyms, neighborhood courts — and improvement came through repetition. He did not fully blossom as a player until high school, but once he did, the game became central to his identity.

His first collegiate stop at Nichols College never materialized on the court, and he returned home searching for stability. That came at Worcester State, a Division III program he had grown up near and one that carried personal meaning.

What followed was a season that changed everything.

In his lone year playing for Worcester State, Nkrumah became one of the most decorated players in program history. He was named MASCAC Player of the Year, earned NABC Division III All-Region First Team honors and helped lead the Lancers to their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1994. He averaged 16.9 points per game and anchored a turnaround that resonated beyond the campus.

"It felt like winning for the city," Nkrumah said. "We hadn't won in a long time. Everybody had a part in it."

For Nkrumah, the experience went beyond awards. His teammates and coaches created an environment that felt familiar and fun, blending basketball with student life. And in the stands, his parents — Mavis and Ronny Nkrumah — were always present, joined often by his siblings, Marvin and Kendra. Their support was constant, loud and unconditional.

Basketball had entered the family through his brother, even though both parents were former soccer players. Once introduced to the game, Nkrumah never let go. Parks, recess and open gyms became routine. Commitment followed in middle school, when basketball stopped being an activity and became a pursuit.

The next decision, however, carried uncertainty.

Nkrumah entered the transfer portal with hopes of earning a Division I opportunity, but the jump from Division III is rarely straightforward. For a time, interest was limited. Schools hesitated. The label was hard to shake.

"I felt like a lot of schools didn't want to take the risk," Nkrumah said. "I was just a Division III product."

That changed when Tennessee State reached out.

Former head coach Brian "Penny" Collins made his approach personal, FaceTiming Nkrumah and introducing the entire staff before ever discussing a visit. The connection felt genuine. The belief felt real. On his first trip to Nashville, Nkrumah committed.

Leaving Worcester marked the first time he had lived away from the Commonwealth State.

The adjustment was immediate. Homesickness followed. So did the reality of Division I basketball — deeper rosters, faster athletes and constant competition for minutes. Nkrumah responded by carving out a role through defense, effort and versatility, determined first to earn his place on the floor.

During the 2024–25 season, he played in all 32 games with 30 starts, averaging a near-high 29.8 minutes per contest. He contributed 10.9 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game while adding 54 steals and 20 blocks, proving he could impact games beyond scoring.

His role has expanded even further this season. Through the first 18 games of 2025–26, Nkrumah is averaging 16.8 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game while shooting better than 42 percent from the field, becoming a consistent presence on both ends of the floor.

When Collins departed and first-year head coach Nolan Smith arrived, Nkrumah never considered leaving. The decision to stay centered on belief — in teammates, in unfinished business and in the culture being built.

"We came close last year," Nkrumah said. "Everybody could've left, but we wanted to run it back."

Smith's arrival brought change, but also championship expectations. For Nkrumah, that alignment mattered. As one of the program's veterans, he now helps bridge the past and present, mentoring teammates while embracing the standards of a new staff.

Away from basketball, his routine remains simple. He relaxes. He plays video games. The game, though, is never far from his mind.

Home isn't either.

His family checks in daily. They travel when they can. Worcester remains a constant reference point — a reminder of where he started and what he carries with him every time he steps on the court.

Nkrumah's motivation is straightforward.

"I want to win at both levels," he said. "Not a lot of people have done that. I want to prove this wasn't a fluke — that I make an impact on winning."

From packed gyms in Worcester to Division I arenas in Nashville, Aaron Nkrumah's path has been defined by belief — in his city, his family and himself — and by the understanding that no matter how far he goes, home is always part of the journey.