WILMINGTON, Del. — Delaware is known for its association with a recent vice president of the United States, the du Pont family and friendly bankruptcy laws. For its basketball pedigree? Not so much.

Donte DiVincenzo always wanted to become a professional athlete. But as with many Delawareans, his favorite sport was soccer.

When he started to concentrate on basketball, shortly before high school, the decision was unpopular. There have been only 16 athletes inducted into the state’s sports hall of fame for basketball. Three were referees.

But Delaware’s basketball chops have never been stronger, now that two products of the First State are competing in the round of 16 of the N.C.A.A. men’s basketball tournament: DiVincenzo, the sixth man for Villanova, and Trevon Duval, the starting point guard for Duke.