List of Wake Forest University people

This list of Wake Forest University people includes notable alumni, faculty and staff of Wake Forest University, a private research university located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Current and former faculty



 * John A. Allison IV, School of Business
 * Maya Angelou, American studies
 * Anthony Atala, Urology (Chair)
 * Adrian Bardon, professor of philosophy
 * Ruth Benca, Behavioral Medicine
 * Margaret Bender, Anthropology
 * Deborah L. Best, Psychology
 * Rhoda Billings, Law (Emerita)
 * Pasco Bowman II, Law
 * Alfred Brauer, Mathematics
 * Jim Caldwell, coach of Wake Forest Football (1993–2000), current NFL head coach
 * Coy Cornelius Carpenter, M.D., dean of the School of Medicine of Wake Forest University from 1936 to 1967 and vice president for health affairs 1963–67
 * David Carroll, Physics, Director of the Center for Nanotechnology and Molecular Materials
 * Justin Catanoso, Journalism
 * John Wesley Chandler, Philosophy
 * Dave Clawson, coach of Wake Forest Football (2014–present)
 * Zheng Cui, Pathology
 * David Faber, Art and printmaking
 * Steve Forbes, coach of Wake Forest basketball (2020–present)
 * Megan Gebbia, current head coach of Wake Forest Women's basketball
 * Jim Grobe, Coach of Wake Forest football (2001–2013), won ACC Coach of the Year
 * Melissa Harris-Perry, Presidential Chair Professor of Politics and International Affairs
 * Jennifer Hoover, former coach of Wake Forest Women's basketball
 * Dan Locklair, Music and Composer-in-Residence
 * Allen Mandelbaum, English and Humanities
 * Danny Manning, Wake Forest basketball coach (2014–2020)
 * Jack McCloskey, coach of Wake Forest basketball (1966–1972)
 * Dave Odom, coach of Wake Forest basketball (1989–2001), three-time ACC Coach of the Year
 * Suzanne Reynolds (J.D. 1977), Law
 * Earl Smith, professor
 * Tom Walter, current coach of Wake Forest baseball (2010–present)
 * Jonathan L. Walton, dean of Wake Forest School of Divinity
 * Sarah Watts, History
 * Chris Webber, former NBA all-star, professor in practice for Masters of Arts in Sports program
 * Tanya Zanish-Belcher, professor, Director of Special Collections and Archives

Founders and leaders of academic institutions

 * James Archibald Campbell (B.A. 1911), first president of Campbell College
 * Leslie H. Campbell (magna cum laude, A.B.1911, A.M. 1916), second president of Campbell College
 * John Wesley Chandler (B.A. 1945), 12th president of Williams College, 15th president of Hamilton College and president of the AACU in 1985
 * Spright Dowell (1896), former president of Auburn University and Mercer University
 * Michael Maxey (B.A., M.A.), 11th president of Roanoke College
 * George M. Modlin (B.A. 1924), former president of the University of Richmond
 * William Louis Poteat (B.A. 1877), educator; seventh president of Wake Forest University (1905–1927)
 * Norman Adrian Wiggins (1952), third president of Campbell University
 * Washington Manly Wingate (1849), 4th president of Wake Forest University

Literature and poetry

 * Joseph Quincy Adams Jr. (B.A. 1900, M.A. 1901)
 * A.R. Ammons (B.A. 1949), poet and scholar
 * Stephen Amidon (B.A.), author
 * Justin Catanoso (M.A. 1993), author
 * Gary Chapman (M.A.), author and radio talk show host
 * Dhonielle Clayton (B.A. 2005), author and CEO of We Need Diverse Books
 * Frances O'Roark Dowell (1979), author
 * L.M. Elliott (B.A.), author, Under a War-Torn Sky
 * Elizabeth Marquardt (B.A.), author

Journalism and media



 * Linda Carter Brinson (B.A. 1969), writer, editor, and journalist
 * W. J. Cash, author and journalist
 * Dhonielle Clayton (B.A. 2005), author and COO of We Need Diverse Books
 * Margaret Feinberg (B.A.), author and public speaker
 * Becky Garrison (B.A.), religious satirist and columnist for The Wittenburg Door
 * Emily Giffin (B.A.), author of Something Borrowed
 * James Hamblin (B.S. 2005), board-certified physician, staff writer at The Atlantic, lecturer in public health policy at Yale University
 * Shane Harris (B.A. 1998), journalist and author, senior national security writer at The Washington Post
 * Melissa Harris-Perry (B.A. 1994), political scientist and journalist
 * Harold Hayes (B.A.), writer, former editor of Esquire magazine
 * Maria Henson (B.A. 1982), journalist, editor, winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Writing award
 * Al Hunt (B.A. 1965), journalist and columnist for Bloomberg News
 * Carlos Maza (B.A. 2010), journalist for Vox
 * Dagen McDowell (1991), anchor for Fox Business Channel and business correspondent for Fox News
 * Kasha Patel (B.A. 2012), science writer
 * Scott Rasmussen (M.B.A.), political analyst
 * LaChina Robinson (B.A. 2002), women's college basketball analyst for Fox Sports 1

Music

 * Christopher Magiera (B.A.), international operatic baritone, professor of voice
 * Lamar Stringfield, classical composer, flutist, symphony conductor and anthologist of American folk music

Film and television

 * Carol Barbee (B.A.), television producer, writer
 * Stephanie Birkitt (B.A. 1997), assistant to David Letterman on Late Show with David Letterman
 * Marc Blucas (1994), actor
 * David Chase (attended), television writer, director, producer (The Sopranos)
 * Drew Droege (B.A. 1999), actor, comedian, writer and director
 * James DuBose (B.A. 1990), film and television producer, entertainment industry executive; Rising Star Award recipient
 * Matt James (B.A. 2015), television personality, first black bachelor lead for The Bachelor
 * Joe Lawson, co-creator of GEICO Cavemen commercials and ABC's Cavemen TV series
 * Carter MacIntyre, television actor (American Heiress, Undercovers)
 * Lee Norris (B.A. 2004), film and television actor (Boy Meets World, The Torkelsons, One Tree Hill)
 * Carroll O'Connor, actor (best known as Archie Bunker on the TV series All in the Family)
 * Sarah Schneider (2005), former writer for Saturday Night Live
 * Arvind Swamy (M.A.), Indian Tamil film actor and businessman
 * Dave Willis, co-creator of the animated TV shows Aqua Teen Hunger Force and Squidbillies; writer and voice actor for animated TV show Space Ghost: Coast to Coast

Visual art

 * Justin Brice Guariglia (B.A. 1997), artist and former documentary photographer for the National Geographic Society
 * Zach Klein (B.A.), co-founder and designer of Vimeo

Other

 * Tyler Cameron (B.A. 2018), television personality, model
 * Cheslie Kryst (J.D., M.B.A. 2017), Miss USA 2019
 * Eddie Timanus (1990), USA Today sportswriter; Jeopardy! champion
 * Ricky Van Veen (2003), co-creator of the website CollegeHumor; entrepreneur

U.S. governors

 * J. Melville Broughton (1910), Governor of North Carolina (D) (1941–45) and U.S. Senator
 * Charlie Crist, Governor of Florida (R) (2006–2010)
 * Robert L. Ehrlich (J.D. 1982), Governor of Maryland (R) and former Congressman
 * William W. Kitchin (1884), Governor of North Carolina (D) (1909–13)

U.S. senators and congressmen

 * Josiah W. Bailey (1893), U.S. Senator (D-NC) (1931–46); co-author of the Conservative Manifesto criticizing the New Deal
 * Ted Budd (M.B.A. 2007), U.S. Senator (R-NC); former Congressman (NC-13)
 * Richard Burr (B.A. 1978), former U.S. Senator (R-NC)
 * Donna Edwards (B.A. 1980), Democratic Representative of Maryland's 4th Congressional District
 * David Funderburk (B.A., M.A. 1967), former Congressman (R-NC) (1995–97); U.S. Ambassador to Romania (1981–85)
 * Kay Hagan (J.D. 1978), former U.S. Senator of North Carolina (D-NC)
 * Jesse Helms, former U.S. Senator (R-NC) (1973–2003)
 * Larry Kissell (B.A. 1973), U.S. Congressman (D-NC)
 * Alton A. Lennon (1929), former U.S. Senator; Congressman (D-NC)
 * Robert Burren Morgan (J.D. 1950), former U.S. Senator (D-NC) (1977–81)
 * Furnifold M. Simmons, former U.S. Senator (D-NC) (1901–31)
 * Charles H. Taylor (B.A. 1963, J.D. 1966), former Congressman (R-NC)

Diplomats

 * James P. Cain (B.A.), former U.S. Ambassador to Denmark
 * Robert S. Gilchrist (B.A.), United States Ambassador to Lithuania
 * Dennis Walter Hearne (B.A.), United States Ambassador to Mozambique
 * Jeanette W. Hyde, former Ambassador to Barbados, Dominica, St. Lucia, Antigua, Grenada, St. Vincent, and St. Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla
 * Graham Martin (B.A. 1932), former U.S. ambassador to Italy, Thailand, and South Vietnam

Federal officials

 * Laura Daniel-Davis (B.A. 1990), current deputy secretary of the interior
 * Jennifer M. Harris (B.A.), Senior Director for International Economics & Labor on the U.S. National Security Council
 * Robert L. Wilkie (B.A. 1985), former Assistant Secretary of Defense; Current Secretary of Veterans Affairs

Judges and attorneys

 * Amy M. Baggio (B.A. summa cum laude 1995), judge of the Multnomah County Circuit Court
 * Kenneth D. Bell (B.A., J.D.), judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina
 * Rhoda Billings (J.D. 1966), professor; former Chief Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court
 * Mark Christie (magna cum laude), attorney and member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
 * Richard Dietz (J.D. 2002), judge on the North Carolina Supreme Court
 * John E. Dowdell (B.A. 1978), Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma
 * Rusty Duke (B.A. 1970, J.D. 1974), Judge
 * Louise W. Flanagan (B.A. 1984), District Judge for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina
 * Britt Grant (B.A.), U.S. Circuit Court Judge, United States Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit; former Justice of Supreme Court of Georgia
 * Major B. Harding (B.A., J.D.), attorney and former Chief Justice of the Florida Supreme Court
 * Jerome Holmes (B.A. 1983), Judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
 * I. Beverly Lake (B.S., J.D.), former Chief Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court
 * John Davis Larkins Jr. (B.A. 1929), former Chief and Senior judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina
 * C. Hardaway Marks (B.A.), attorney
 * John C. Martin (B.A. 1965, J.D. 1967), Chief Judge of the North Carolina Court of Appeals
 * Allison Jones Rushing (summa cum laude, B.A. 2004), United States circuit judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
 * Eleni M. Roumel (B.A.), Judge, United States Court of Federal Claims
 * Davis R. Ruark (B.A.), former State's Attorney for Wicomico County, Maryland
 * Emory M. Sneeden (B.S. 1949, L.L.B. 1953), former Judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
 * George L. Wainwright, Jr. (J.D. 1984), former Associate Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court

Mayors

 * James Pratt Carter (B.A. 1961), former mayor of Madison, North Carolina
 * Tom Fetzer (B.A.), former mayor of Raleigh, North Carolina
 * Patrick Smathers (J.D.), former mayor of Canton, North Carolina

Other

 * Lynton Y. Ballentine (B.A. 1921), 20th lieutenant governor of North Carolina
 * C. Dan Barrett, Republican candidate for governor of North Carolina in 2004
 * John S. Battle (B.A.), served as 56th governor of Virginia
 * Phil Berger (J.D. 1982), Republican leader in the North Carolina State Senate
 * Ted Budd (M.B.A.), member of the United States House of Representatives for North Carolina's 13th congressional district
 * Deb Butler (J.D. 1986), member of North Carolina House of Representatives
 * N. Leo Daughtry (B.A. 1962, L.L.B. 1965), former member of the North Carolina General Assembly
 * Charles B. Deane (J.D. 1923), former member of North Carolina House of Representatives
 * Creigh Deeds (J.D. 1984), 2009 Democratic Party nominee for Governor of Virginia
 * Keith Denning (CRNA), member of Connecticut House of Representatives
 * Jimmy Dixon (B.S. 1969), member of North Carolina House of Representatives
 * Jerry Dockham (B.S. 1972), former member of the North Carolina General Assembly
 * Mary P. Easley (B.A. 1972, J.D. 1975), First Lady of North Carolina
 * C. Forrest Faison III (B.A. 1980), retired vice admiral in the United States Navy
 * Pat Foote (B.A. 1953) (retired – United States Army), brigadier general, first woman to be given Brigade Command; first female instructor at the Army War College
 * James Forrester (B.S., J.D.), North Carolina State Senator
 * Greg Habeeb (B.A. 1998, J.D. 2001), former Virginia State Delegate representing Virginia's 8th House of Delegates District (2011–2018)
 * George Holding (B.A., J.D.), current United States Representative for North Carolina's 2nd congressional district
 * Horace R. Kornegay (B.A. 1947, LL.B. 1949), former member of North Carolina's 6th congressional district
 * Donny Lambeth (M.B.A.), member of North Carolina House of Representatives
 * Michael V. Lee (J.D.), member of North Carolina Senate
 * Richard H. Moore (J.D. 1989), North Carolina Treasurer
 * Josh Pitcock (J.D.), former Chief of Staff to vice president Mike Pence under the Trump Administration
 * Eric Miller Reeves, North Carolina State Senator
 * Alex Sink (B.A.), former 2nd Chief Financial Officer of Florida (2007–2011); Democratic candidate for governor of Florida in 2010
 * Michael Whatley (M.A.), chairman of the Republican National Committee

Science

 * William Bachovchin (B.S. 1970), chemist/chemical biologist, professor of Molecular and Chemical Biology at Tufts University School of Medicine
 * Wendy Boss (Class of 1968), botanist at North Carolina State University
 * Phillip Griffiths (B.S. 1959), mathematician; professor at the Institute for Advanced Study
 * Mona Jhaveri, cancer researcher and entrepreneur focused on biotech funding
 * Douglas D. Taylor (Ph.D.), entrepreneur and former academic researcher in the field of extracellular vesicles

Religion

 * John Wesley Chandler (B.A. 1945), Cluett Professor of Religion and department chair at Williams College
 * Michael Curry (attended), 27th presiding bishop and primate of the Episcopal Church; addressed the Wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
 * Amzi Clarence Dixon, Baptist minister and author, older brother of Thomas Dixon, Jr.
 * Thomas Dixon, Jr. (M.A. 1883), minister and novelist
 * J. Cheryl Exum (B.A.), biblical scholar and Emeritus Professor at University of Sheffield
 * Tripp Fuller (M.Div.), theologist and minister
 * Harry Y. Gamble (B.A.), former professor in the Department of Religious Studies at the University of Virginia
 * Samuel Johnson Howard (J.D. 1976), 8th Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Florida
 * Kimberly Lucas, bishop of The Episcopal Church in Colorado
 * Ted G. Stone, Southern Baptist evangelist and recovered amphetamine addict
 * Tish Harrison Warren (B.A. 2001), New York Times columnist and Anglican priest

Business

 * Ross Atkins, Executive, General manager of the Toronto Blue Jays
 * Jabez A. Bostwick, founding partner of Standard Oil
 * Gregory Brooks, entrepreneur and professional poker player
 * D. Wayne Calloway, former CEO of PepsiCo
 * Charlie Ergen (M.B.A. 1976), co-founder and CEO of Dish Network and EchoStar
 * David Farr (B.S.1977), CEO of Emerson Electric Company
 * Robin Ganzert (B.S., M.B.A.), CEO of the American Humane organization
 * Anil Rai Gupta (M.B.A.), Chairman and managing director of Havells
 * Zach Klein (B.A.), co-founder of Vimeo
 * Justin W. Lee, founder of the Gay Christian Network
 * Joseph W. Luter III (B.A. 1962), chairman of Smithfield Foods, Inc.
 * David E. Orton (B.S.), engineering executive
 * Warren Stephens (M.B.A 1981), Chairman, President and CEO, Stephens Inc.
 * G. Kennedy Thompson (M.B.A), Chairman, President and CEO, Wachovia Corp.
 * Eric C. Wiseman (B.A., M.B.A.), Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, VF Corporation

Medicine

 * William Allan, genetics
 * Anthony Atala, regenerative medicine and urology
 * Ken Blum, neuropsychopharmacology and genetics
 * Paul Bucy, neurology and neurosurgery
 * Erin Calipari (Ph.D. 2013), pharmacology
 * Coy Cornelius Carpenter, dean
 * Richard Cytowic, neurology
 * Max Gomez (Ph.D.), medical reporter
 * Tinsley Randolph Harrison, internal medicine
 * David L. Heymann, infectious disease
 * Joseph Ladapo (B.A. 2000), surgeon general of Florida
 * Robert Lanza, regenerative medicine
 * Thomas T. Mackie, preventive medicine and infectious disease
 * Willis Maddrey (B.A.), internal medicine and hepatology
 * Thomas Marshburn, astronaut
 * Diane Mathis (B.S.), immunohaematology
 * J. Wayne Meredith (M.D. 1978), Richard T. Myers Professor and Chair of the Department of Surgery, Chief of Clinical Chairs and Chief of Surgery at Wake Forest Baptist Health
 * Leon S. Robertson, epidemiology
 * Cameron Webb (M.D. 2013), physician, former nominee for Virginia's 5th congressional district, current White House Senior Policy Advisor for COVID-19 in the Biden Administration
 * Wendy Young (B.A. 1988, M.S. 1989), chemist

Athletic administrators

 * Sandy Barbour (B.S. 1980), former athletic director for Penn State University, University of California, Berkeley, and Tulane University
 * John Currie, Wake Forest athletics director (2019–present)

American football

 * Jon Abbate, linebacker in NFL, CFL and UFL, central figure in The 5th Quarter, film on Wake's 2006 season
 * Ernie Accorsi (B.A. 1963), NFL executive
 * Billy Ard, New York Giants
 * Stanley Arnoux, NFL linebacker, Super Bowl Champion
 * Reggie Austin, NFL cornerback
 * Alex Bachman, NFL wide receiver
 * Gary Baldinger, NFL defensive tackle
 * Rich Baldinger, NFL offensive lineman
 * Elmer Barbour, NFL linebacker
 * Chris Barclay, NFL running back
 * Billy Ray Barnes, NFL halfback, 3x Pro-Bowler
 * Carlos Basham Jr. (Class of 2020), NFL linebacker
 * Essang Bassey, NFL cornerback
 * Jessie Bates, NFL safety for the Cincinnati Bengals
 * Tommy Bohanon, NFL fullback for the Jacksonville Jaguars
 * DJ Boldin, NFL wide receiver, current offensive assistant for the San Francisco 49ers
 * Carlos Bradley, NFL linebacker
 * Ed Bradley, former NFL player
 * Ed Bradley Jr., former NFL player
 * David Braxton, NFL linebacker
 * K.J. Brent, NFL wide receiver
 * Ronnie Burgess, NFL defensive back
 * Josh Bush, NFL free safety, Super Bowl 50, Champion, currently a free agent
 * Michael Campanaro, NFL wide receiver for the Baltimore Ravens
 * Jim Clack, NFL guard
 * Desmond Clark, NFL tight end
 * Tyson Clabo, former NFL player, Pro-Bowler
 * George Coghill, retired NFL defensive back for the Denver Broncos
 * Ben Coleman, NFL offensive lineman
 * Aaron Curry (B.A. 2009), NFL linebacker, No.4 pick in the 2009 NFL draft
 * Greg Dortch, NFL wide receiver
 * Harry Dowda, NFL running back
 * Kenny Duckett, NFL wide receiver
 * Duke Ejiofor, NFL linebacker, Houston Texans
 * Clark Gaines, NFL running back
 * Bill George, NFL linebacker
 * Brandon Ghee, NFL cornerback
 * Chris Givens, NFL wide receiver for the Baltimore Ravens
 * Cam Glenn (Class of 2018), CFL defensive back
 * Bob Grant, NFL linebacker
 * Justin Herron, NFL offensive lineman
 * Kendall Hinton (Class of 2019), NFL wide receiver
 * Kevin Johnson, defensive back for the Houston Texans
 * Syd Kitson, NFL guard
 * Dave LaCrosse, NFL linebacker
 * Marquel Lee, middle linebacker for the Oakland Raiders
 * Joe Looney, NFL player for the Dallas Cowboys
 * Michael McCrary, NFL defensive end, 2-time Pro-Bowler, Super Bowl XXXV Champion
 * John Henry Mills, NFL running back, linebacker and tight end; Pro-Bowl
 * Ovie Mughelli, fullback for the Atlanta Falcons
 * Jamie Newman (Class of 2019), NFL quarterback
 * Harry Newsome, former NFL player
 * Calvin Pace, NFL defensive end
 * James "Quick" Parker, retired professional football player, Canadian Football Hall of Fame
 * Brian Piccolo, retired professional football player, former fullback for the Chicago Bears
 * Ryan Plackemeier, punter for the Seattle Seahawks
 * Tanner Price, professional football player
 * Ricky Proehl, NFL wide receiver, Carolina Panthers wide receivers coach
 * Jerry Punch, auto racing and college football commentator on ESPN
 * Walter Rasby, NFL tight end
 * Fred Robbins, NFL defensive tackle for the New York Giants
 * Anthony Rubino, NFL tackle for the Detroit Lions
 * Alphonso Smith, former NFL player
 * Norm Snead, NFL quarterback; four-time Pro Bowler
 * Jyles Tucker, NFL linebacker
 * Kobie Turner, NFL player
 * Chip Vaughn, former NFL player, Super Bowl XLIV, Champion with the New Orleans Saints
 * Nikita Whitlock, NFL player, current free agent
 * Kyle Wilber, NFL linebacker, currently plays for the Las Vegas Raiders
 * John Wolford (Class of 2017), NFL quarterback

Major League Baseball

 * Gair Allie, former MLB player
 * Ryan Braun, former MLB pitcher
 * Mike Buddie, former Major League Baseball pitcher for the Yankees and Brewers
 * Dave Bush, former MLB pitcher, currently a pitching coach
 * Tommy Byrne, MLB player, 1949 and 1956 World Series champion with the New York Yankees
 * Rip Coleman, MLB player, 1956 World Series champion with the New York Yankees
 * Will Craig, first round pick in the 2016 MLB Draft, currently a free agent
 * Bill Dillman, MLB player
 * Parker Dunshee, MLB player for the Oakland Athletics
 * Allan Dykstra, MLB player
 * Stuart Fairchild, current MLB player for the Cincinnati Reds organization
 * Lee Gooch, former MLB player
 * Tommy Gregg, former MLB player
 * Erik Hanson, former MLB player
 * Bill Herring, minor league baseball pitcher, player-manager, and general manager
 * Kevin Jarvis, former MLB pitcher, currently a scout for the San Diego Padres
 * Tom Lanning, former MLB player
 * Buddy Lewis, former MLB player, 2x MLB All-Star
 * Mike MacDougal, former MLB relief pitcher, MLB All-Star
 * Willard Marshall, former MLB player, three-time MLB All-Star
 * Jack Meyer, former MLB player, Philadelphia Phillies
 * Griffin Roberts, MLB player; free agent
 * Craig Robinson, former MLB player
 * Ray Scarborough, retired MLB player, 10 MLB seasons, MLB All-Star, 1952 World Series champion with the New York Yankees
 * Gavin Sheets, 49th pick in the 2017 MLB Draft, current MLB player for the Chicago White Sox organization
 * Jared Shuster, MLB pitcher, first round 2020 MLB draft pick of the Atlanta Braves
 * Kyle Sleeth, No.3 overall pick in MLB draft, former MLB player
 * Brick Smith, former MLB player
 * Cory Sullivan, former MLB player
 * Mac Williamson, former MLB player

Basketball



 * Al-Farouq Aminu, small forward for the Portland Trail Blazers NBA team
 * Tyree Appleby, professional basketball player
 * Muggsy Bogues (Class of 1987), retired NBA player, 14 years in the NBA, played for the Charlotte Hornets, Washington Bullets, Golden State Warriors, and Toronto Raptors,  shortest NBA player of all time, standing 5 ft 3 in (1.60 m) (jersey retired)
 * Chaundee Brown (transferred to Michigan), professional basketball player
 * Skip Brown (Class of 1977), former college basketball player and athletic director for Wake Forest, selected by the Boston Celtics in the 1977 NBA draft
 * Dave Budd (Class of 1960), center for the New York Knicks
 * Len Chappell, former NBA player (jersey retired)
 * Brandon Childress (Class of 2020), professional basketball player
 * Randolph Childress (Class of 1995), former professional basketball player who last played in Italy for Cestistica San Severo, current assistant coach for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons
 * John Collins, 19th overall pick in the 2017 NBA draft, currently plays for the Utah Jazz
 * Bryant Crawford, professional basketball player for Hapoel Gilboa Galil
 * Charlie Davis, former NBA player for the Cleveland Cavaliers and Portland Trail Blazers, fourth-team All-American, 1971 ACC Player of the Year (jersey retired)
 * Ian DuBose, professional basketball player
 * Tim Duncan (B.A. 1997), retired NBA player, #1 overall pick in 1997 NBA draft, 15-time NBA All-Star, two-time NBA MVP, five-time NBA Champion, member of Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (jersey retired)
 * Justin Gray (Class of 2006), professional basketball player for BC Tsmoski-Minsk
 * Murray Greason, former college basketball and baseball coach, 1956 ACC Coach of the Year
 * Kenny Green, #12 pick of the 1985 NBA draft, former NBA player for Washington Bullets and Philadelphia 76ers
 * Rod Griffin (Class of 1978), 17th pick of the 1978 NBA draft, former professional basketball player
 * Dearica Hamby (Class of 2015), #6 pick in the 2015 WNBA draft, currently plays for Las Vegas Aces
 * C. J. Harris (Class of 2013), basketball player in the Israeli Basketball Premier League
 * Dickie Hemric (Class of 1955), former NBA player, 1957 NBA champion with the Boston Celtics (jersey retired)
 * Jaylen Hoard, French-American basketball player for Hapoel Tel Aviv of the Israeli Basketball Premier League
 * Jennifer Hoover (B.A. 1991), current head coach of the Wake Forest demon deacons women's basketball team
 * Josh Howard (class of 2003), former NBA player, forward-guard for the Washington Wizards NBA team (jersey retired)
 * Frank Johnson, #11 pick in the 1981 NBA draft
 * James Johnson, small forward for the Dallas Mavericks NBA team
 * Jim Johnstone, former professional basketball player
 * Chris King, retired professional basketball player
 * Bobi Klintman, professional basketball player
 * Jake LaRavia, NBA player for Memphis Grizzlies
 * Rusty LaRue (Class of 1996), former NBA player
 * Nicole Levesque (Class of 1994), former professional basketball player (WNBA)
 * Paul Long, former NBA and ABA basketball player
 * Chas McFarland, former professional basketball player
 * Gil McGregor, former NBA player, CBA champion
 * Kevin McMillan, current head coach of the University of Tennessee at Martin women's basketball team
 * Codi Miller-McIntyre (Class of 2016), professional basketball player for Parma Basket
 * Dinos Mitoglou, Greek professional basketball player for Panathinaikos
 * Doral Moore, NBA player
 * Guy Morgan, former NBA player
 * Jack Murdock (Class of 1957), former basketball player and coach
 * Billy Packer, CBS Sports college basketball analyst
 * Chris Paul, #3 overall pick in 2005 NBA draft, guard for the Golden State Warriors, 2005–2006 NBA Rookie of the Year, 10-time NBA All-Star (jersey retired)
 * Eddie Payne, former college basketball head coach at University of South Carolina Upstate
 * Elisa Penna (Class of 2019), professional basketball player
 * Ricardo Peral Antunez, former Spanish professional basketball player
 * Troy Rike (Class of 2018), professional basketball player
 * Ivana Raca (Class of 2021), professional basketball player
 * Rodney Rogers, 9th overall pick of the 1993 NBA draft, former NBA player (jersey retired)
 * Delaney Rudd, former professional basketball player
 * Olivier Sarr (transferred to Kentucky), professional basketball player
 * Alexandra Sharp (Class of 2020), professional basketball player
 * Ish Smith (Class of 2010), NBA player for the Washington Wizards
 * Darius Songaila (Class of 2002), player for Washington Wizards, previously Sacramento Kings and Chicago Bulls
 * Anthony Teachey, former professional basketball player
 * Devin Thomas (Class of 2016), currently plays for TED Ankara Kolejliler
 * Jeff Teague, point guard for the Milwaukee Bucks NBA team
 * Anthony Tucker (Class of 1992), former professional basketball player
 * Kyle Visser, basketball player who last played for Phantoms Braunschweig of the German Bundesliga
 * Ty Walker, professional basketball player
 * Ron Watts, former NBA player with Boston Celtics, 1966 NBA Champion
 * Alondes Williams, NBA player for Miami Heat
 * Coron Williams, professional basketball player
 * L.D. Williams, NBA Development League player, last played for the Fort Wayne Mad Ants, current free agent
 * Pat Williams, senior vice president of the Orlando Magic
 * Keyshawn Woods (transferred to Ohio State), professional basketball player
 * Loren Woods (transferred to Arizona), professional basketball player
 * Danny Young, former NBA player for the Portland Trail Blazers

Golf



 * Billy Andrade, PGA Tour
 * Larry Beck, PGA Tour
 * Darren Clarke, European Tour, PGA Tour
 * Laura Diaz, LPGA Tour
 * Brendan Gielow, professional golfer
 * Bill Haas, PGA Tour
 * Jay Haas, PGA Tour, Champions Tour
 * Jerry Haas, PGA Tour, Nationwide Tour, European Tour
 * Gary Hallberg, PGA Tour, Nationwide Tour, European Tour
 * Scott Hoch, Ryder Cup
 * Joe Inman, PGA Tour, Champions Tour
 * Patty Jordan, LPGA Tour
 * Jennifer Kupcho, LPGA Tour
 * Len Mattiace, PGA Tour
 * Arnold Palmer, PGA Tour, Champions Tour, winner of seven major championships
 * Marta Prieto, Ladies European Tour
 * Kyle Reifers, PGA Tour
 * Webb Simpson, PGA Tour, winner of 2012 U.S. Open
 * Curtis Strange, PGA Tour, Champions Tour, winner of the 1988 and 1989 U.S. Opens
 * Lanny Wadkins, PGA Tour, Champions Tour, winner of 1977 PGA Championship
 * Helen Wadsworth, Ladies European Tour
 * Cheyenne Woods, Ladies European Tour, LPGA Tour; niece of Tiger Woods

Olympians

 * Andy Bloom (M.A. 1998), Olympic shot putter
 * Houry Gebeshian (2014), competed at the 2016 Summer Olympics
 * Michelle Kasold, field hockey, London 2012
 * Hunter Kemper, triathlon, 2000 Summer Olympics, 2004 Summer Olympics, 2008 Summer Olympics, 2012 Summer Olympics
 * Brent LaRue, Olympic athlete (hurdler)

Soccer

 * Anthony Arena, professional soccer player
 * Luis Argudo, MLS soccer player who currently plays for Columbus Crew SC
 * Cody Arnoux, professional soccer player
 * Jon Bakero, Spanish soccer player who currently plays for Chicago Fire of Major league Soccer
 * Corben Bone, professional soccer player for FC Cincinnati
 * Evan Brown, retired professional soccer player
 * Brian Carroll, Major League Soccer, Philadelphia Union
 * Ryan Caugherty, Korean retired professional soccer player
 * Nick Courtney, professional soccer player for New York Athletic Club
 * Neil Covone, retired professional soccer player
 * Sam Cronin, professional soccer player who currently plays for Minnesota United of Major league Soccer
 * Steven Curfman, American soccer player who currently plays for CASL Elite
 * Austin da Luz, professional soccer player for North Carolina FC
 * Bianca D'Agostino, retired professional soccer player
 * Raimo de Vries, former professional soccer player
 * Luciano Delbono, professional soccer player for Carolina Railhawks
 * Ihor Dotsenko, retired Dutch-American soccer player
 * Chris Duvall, professional soccer player for Portland Timbers of Major league Soccer
 * Steven Echevarria, professional soccer player for New York Red Bulls II
 * Brian Edwards, retired professional soccer player
 * Chris Estridge, former professional soccer player
 * Bayley Feist (2018), professional soccer player
 * Sam Fink, professional soccer player who currently plays for Saint Louis FC of USL
 * Akira Fitzgerald, current professional soccer player for Tampa Bay Rowdies
 * Kaley Fountain, professional soccer player
 * Michael Gamble, current professional soccer player for Tulsa Roughnecks in USL
 * John Hackworth, former professional soccer player, current head coach of the United States men's National Under-17 Soccer team
 * Madison Hammond (2019), professional soccer player
 * Ally Haran (2017), professional soccer player
 * Ian Harkes, professional soccer player for D.C. United
 * Jack Harrison, #1 overall pick in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft, currently plays for Middlesbrough F.C. on loan from Manchester City F.C.
 * Jacori Hayes, professional soccer player for FC Dallas
 * William Hesmer, retired professional soccer player
 * Tolani Ibikunle, professional soccer player
 * Kelvin Jones, professional soccer player
 * Shaun Kalnasy, former professional soccer player
 * Stephen Keel, professional soccer player
 * Aubrey Kingsbury (Bledsoe), professional soccer player for Washington Spirit
 * Michael Lahoud, professional soccer player for FC Cincinnati
 * Michael Lisch, professional soccer player
 * Amir Lowery, professional soccer player
 * Andrew Lubahn, professional soccer player for Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
 * Zen Luzniak, former professional soccer player
 * Collin Martin, professional soccer player for Minnesota United
 * Kristen Meier, professional soccer player
 * Nick Millington, retired professional soccer player
 * Justin Moose, Major League Soccer, D.C. United
 * Ben Newnam, professional soccer player
 * Sean Okoli, professional soccer player for Landskrona BoIS
 * Matthew Olson, retired professional soccer player
 * Ike Opara, professional soccer player for Sporting Kansas City
 * Marisa Park, professional soccer player
 * Michael Parkhurst, 2005 Major League Soccer Rookie of the Year, New England Revolution
 * Hayden Partain, professional soccer player for Sacramento Republic
 * Peyton Perea (2018), professional soccer player
 * Pat Phelan, Major League Soccer player for Toronto FC
 * Kevin Politz, professional soccer player for New York Red Bulls
 * Sam Raben (born 1997), professional soccer player
 * James Riley, Major League Soccer player for the New England Revolution
 * Jalen Robinson, professional soccer player for D.C. United
 * Andy Rosenband, professional soccer player for Chicago Storm
 * Zack Schilawski, professional soccer player
 * Scott Sealy, Major League Soccer player for the Kansas City Wizards
 * Ryan Solle, professional soccer player
 * Katie Stengel (2013), professional soccer player for Utah Royals FC
 * Wells Thompson, MLS player, Colorado Rapids

Tennis

 * Bea Bielik, former professional tennis player
 * Romain Bogaerts, Belgian tennis player
 * Borna Gojo, Croatian tennis player
 * Jeff Landau, 1994 U.S. amateur champion
 * Cory Parr, former professional tennis player
 * Noah Rubin, Wimbledon junior singles champion
 * Christian Seraphim, German professional tennis player