Kimberly “Dee” Cummings
Class of 2026
KIMBERLY CUMMINGS PROGRAM STORY
When you have a team as talented as the late ’90s Butler girls were, having too many mouths to feed can become a major problem. The solution? Put the ball in the hands of the state’s single-season record holder for assists and let her run the show. As the point guard for the Butler Lady Runnin’ Rebs, Kimberly “Dee” Cummings had the rare ability to elevate everyone around her, turning talent into chemistry and great teams into championship teams.
Today, as a mother, Dee often reflects on those early years with gratitude, knowing that the lessons learned through basketball: discipline, resilience, and leadership, are the same values she now hopes to pass down to her daughter.
Competitiveness was essential growing up for Dee. Having two older brothers helped shape her early drive, but it was her oldest brother Travis who especially pushed her to compete harder, think quicker, and never shy away from a challenge. The impressive feats started early for Dee, she and her team winning a 13-and-under AAU National Championship in Texas as well as a 3-on-3 National Championship in Colorado. Her seventh and eighth grade teams both went undefeated, helping Stone Middle School break the national record for most consecutive wins at that level.
The success did not stop as Dee began her varsity career for the Butler Lady Runnin’ Rebs. Over her four years of high school, the team won 123 games while losing only 13 (seven in her freshman year); captured three consecutive state championships from 1997–1999; and won several national tournaments. In addition to that, her team was inducted into the Women’s National Hall of Fame, where Dee’s shoes were selected as the memento for the team. As a result of her leadership, Dee was named Captain of the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game in 1999.
Dee was the lighter that started the firework that became the late ’90s Rebels. She shredded defenses with immaculate court vision and had a brilliant instinct for finding the open teammate. Her quickness made it nearly impossible to stay in front of her, creating endless opportunities for herself and others to score. While incredibly physically gifted, her intelligence, on and off the court, defined her role on those legendary teams.
“Our program could not have reached its historic heights without her,” says former coach and lifelong friend Coach Linda Holt. “Dee ran the floor as our point guard and coach on the court.”
Dee credits much of that success to the culture created by Butler’s coaches, brothers, teachers, and supporters, including Coach Linda Holt, the late Rock Holt, and Bobby Holt, along with teammates and mentors who believed in the program and pushed each other to be great.
After high school, Dee went on to play Big East college basketball at Providence College, where she was told she likely would not play much as a freshman. Despite that, she quickly proved herself, leading the team in assists per game and having a strong season before injuries cut it short. The following season, she transferred to Jacksonville University in Florida, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Communications before later obtaining two Master’s degrees.
Carrying that refuse-to-lose mindset into the professional world, Dee has seen great successes in her post-competitive basketball career. Now living in Atlanta, she has served as CEO of several organizations. After working in higher education for some time, she has amassed multiple U.S. patents and has had successful ventures in luxury and travel technology, inventions, and digital entertainment. She brings a “sports mentality” to her companies as a leader, believing that every position plays a significant role on the pathway to success.
Throughout her journey beyond basketball, Dee has also relied on the continued support of family, including her sister LJ, who has been a steady source of encouragement and strength throughout her adult years. She also takes great pride in the accomplishments of her cousin, football star Rashad Moore, who was recently inducted into the Hall of Fame as well.
As Dee enters the Hall of Fame, she joins Butler teammate Tasheika Morris, a part of the 2025 class, as well as her other 1997–1999 teammates who were honored in the 2022 class with the Special Achievement Award. While her former teammates are now spread across the country, the bonds created during those championship years remain strong.
“I’m not accustomed to being in the spotlight,” Dee said. “I realize that not everyone has the opportunity to be inducted like this. It’s really a testament to what our team was and to all of the people who believed in us along the way. I’m grateful for the journey and hope to see Coach Holt and more of my teammates inducted as well.”
~Elijah Slaton
