At 6'6" he was recruited for a special unit that just played basketball; it was the first integrated team Hughes ever played on. When he left the Army, Texas Southern University offered him a basketball scholarship. Playing for coach Edward H. Adams, Hughes was an All-American at Southern.
Standing 6'6", Hughes was chosen for a specialized unit dedicated to playing basketball; this was the first integrated team he ever played on. Upon leaving the Army, Texas Southern University extended him a basketball scholarship. Under coach Edward H. Adams, Hughes excelled as an All-American at Southern.