Darnell Hinson was a star point guard at Muskogee High School (Oklahoma) before playing for the Northeastern State University Redmen (now RiverHawks) from 2000 to 2004.

Hinson, who came to NSU as a walk-on, was the 2003 NCAA-II Elite Eight Tournament's Most Outstanding Player where he made 16 of 25 field goals (.640), 8-of-12 treys (.667), had 15 rebounds, 12 assists, two blocks and a steals during the tourney.

As a senior, Hinson averaged 23.6 points per game by hitting 52.8 percent of his field goals (186-of-352), .457 from behind the arc (69 of 151), 112 rebounds, 75 assists, 11 blocks and 50 steals from the guard position.

Muskogeean Darnell Hinson was among four Northeastern State Redmen selected to the Lone Star Conference's 75th anniversary basketball team.

In 2003, Hinson started playing basketball in Europe, first for USC Freiburg in Germany where he led his team in scoring at 20.2 ppg while shooting 40% from the three-point line.