Category: Hbcu basketball

Tennessee State Finalizing Deal to Name Nolan Smith Head Men’s Basketball Coach

Brandon King

According to college basketball insider and CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein, Tennessee State is working on finalizing a deal with University of Memphis assistant coach Nolan Smith for its vacant men’s basketball position following the departure of Brian “Penny” Collins for a coaching job with the Memphis Grizzlies. Although the sides are working towards an agreement, nothing has been finalized yet, adds Rothstein.  Following a decorated collegiate career at Duke that included helping the Blue Devils take home the 2010 national championship, earning the Most Outstanding Player at the Houston Regional…

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Norfolk State’s Tyrel Bladen inks deal with Czech basketball team 

Brandon King

Former Norfolk State basketball player TyrelBladen is continuing to ply his trade across the pond, signing a deal with SK Slavia Praha this week.  Founded in 1892, the Prague-based team competes in the National Basketball League-the Czech Republic’s most prestigious professional basketball.  Bladen began his collegiate basketball career at Rider, where he appeared in 74 games ( he missed the 2021-22 season due to injury), averaging 2.7 points and 2.2 rebounds per contest. He spent the next two seasons at Norfolk State, where the Coatesville, PA native participated in 65…

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North Carolina A&T and Hampton to face off in 2026 NBA HBCU Classic

Staff

Courtesy of Dylan Smith of the CAA  The Coastal Athletic Association, Hampton University and North Carolina A&T State University have announced that the two storied institutions will compete in the 2026 NBA HBCU Classic, presented by AT&T, as part of NBA All-Star 2026 in Los Angeles. In conjunction with the NBA, the date, tip-off time, location and broadcast information will be announced at a later date. For those interested in receiving ticket information about the CAA matchup between these two prominent universities at NBA All-Star 2026, please click the following link.…

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Tennessee State’s Brian ‘Penny’ Collins Departs for NBA Opportunity

Brandon King

Tennessee State head men’s basketball coach Brian “Penny” Collins has stepped down, effective immediately, to accept a coaching position with the Memphis Grizzlies.  “On behalf of Tennessee State University, I wish Coach Collins and his family the very best as they begin this exciting new chapter,” said Director of Athletics Dr. Mikki Allen. “We are proud to congratulate Coach Collins on this significant opportunity, which reflects the meaningful work he has done here over the past seven years.” “Coach Collins built a family-oriented culture and a competitive program that earned…

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Former Howard Guard Steve Settle III Signs Exhibit 10 Deal With Miami Heat

Brandon King

Former Howard University guard Steve Settle III signed an Exhibit-10 contract with the Miami Heat. Introduced in the 2017 collective bargaining agreement, an Exhibit-10 contract is a one-year non-guaranteed minimum salary deal. It can also include a bonus of up to $75,000 that kicks in should the player who signed the deal spend at least 60 days with a team’s G-League affiliate. Additionally, this contract can be converted to a two-way deal, which allows a player to split time between an NBA and its G-League affiliate, with a maximum of…

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Norfolk State Women’s Basketball Sets Home-and-Home Series with Ole Miss

Brandon King

image via Matt Patterson Norfolk State women’s hoops has finalized a home-and-home agreement with Ole Miss commencing with the upcoming basketball season.  “This is an exciting moment for our women’s basketball program and the entire Norfolk State community. Hosting a nationally ranked SEC opponent at Echols Hall speaks volumes about the direction we’re headed and the reputation we’re building. With two nationally ranked programs set to visit over the next two seasons, our fans can look forward to elite-level basketball right here in Norfolk.” The series tips off when the…

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Norfolk State’s Joe Bryant Jr. Named Greek Elite League MVP

Brandon King

Basketball success continues to be a companion of Joe Bryant Jr, even after leaving the friendly confines of Norfolk State University.  This week, the former Spartan great was named MVP of the Greek A2 Elite Basketball League.  In his first season with Psychikou Basketball Club, Bryant led the league in scoring, putting up 20.1 points per contest, with  season high 39 coming against Mykonou, while adding 4.0 rebounds and 3.4 assists. He led the team to a 18-12  record and a fourth place finish in the 16-team.  Last season, Bryant Jr…

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Tennessee State basketball adds six players to roster

Staff

image via Tennessee State Basketball Courtesy otTennessee State Athletics Tennessee State head men’s basketball coach Brian “Penny” Collins has announced the addition of six new players to the 2025–26 roster. “I’m really excited about this recruiting class,” said Collins. “They’ll join a strong group of 10 returners who experienced a lot of success last year.” Of the six newcomers, four are transfers — including one from Sacramento State and three from non-NCAA programs. The two freshmen include a local product from Madison, Tennessee, and another from Indianapolis, Indiana. PLAYER BREAKDOWNS: …

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Florida A&M to hire Charlie Ward as men’s head basketball coach

Brandon King

Initially reported by Offscript, Florida A&M is finalising deal to make former Heisman trophy and NBA player Charlie Ward the Rattlers’ new men’s basketball coach. He replaces Patrick Crarey II who accepted the vacancy at Grambling, after a single, tumultuous year at the helm of the Rattler basketball program that included the majority of the team being shown the door and a very delayed and public contract ratification. Ward was previously the head coach at Florida High, where he has been since 2018, leading them to a 129-58 record, including…

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Grambling reportedly to hire FAMU’s Patrick Crarey II as men’s basketball coach

Brandon King

Grambling is announcing their next men’s basketball coach Friday morning and reportedly the name that will be called is Florida A&M head basketball coach Patrick Crarey II.  Liv for Hoops reported Thursday that Grambling had zeroed in on Crarey II as their prime candidate to fill their vacancy.  Crarey II, who would replace Donte Jackson who was announced as Alabama A&M’s head coach last week, takes over a Grambling program that went 12-22 overall and 7-11 within the SWAC last season. Coach Crarey comes to Grambling after a somewhat tumultuous…

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