Category: HBCU Sports

SWAC Programs Hit with Postseason Bans Amid APR Violations

Brandon King

The Southwestern Athletic Conference is dealing with a major postseason shake-up after multiple programs were handed NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) penalties, placing their football seasons in limbo before a snap is even taken. Three SWAC programs—Alabama A&M Bulldogs, Florida A&M Rattlers, and Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils—have been flagged for Level Two APR sanctions, which include postseason bans and competitive restrictions for the upcoming cycle. 📉 The Schools Impacted All three programs fell below the NCAA’s academic performance threshold, triggering postseason ineligibility tied to multi-year academic outcomes. 📊 Reported…

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Jace Jackson Earns First-Team All-OVC Honors After Dominant Season at Tennessee State

Brandon King

Standout Tennessee State infielder Jace Jackson has been named First-Team All-Ohio Valley Conference, recognizing a dominant and well-rounded 2026 campaign. Jackson was one of the most productive hitters in the conference this season, leading the OVC with a .415 batting average while finishing among league leaders in on-base percentage and slugging. Her consistent presence at the plate made her a key offensive engine for Tennessee State Tigers throughout the year. Starting all 41 games, Jackson totaled 54 hits, 28 runs scored, and 21 RBIs. She also flashed extra-base power with…

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Tennessee State Adds Guard Christian Alston Out of the Transfer Portal

Brandon King

Tennessee State continues to reshape its roster through the transfer portal, adding another backcourt piece with the signing of guard Christian Alston. The Tigers announced the addition of Alston, who arrives from Abilene Christian, as head coach Nolan Smith continues building depth and versatility heading into the upcoming season. Alston brings Division I experience after spending his previous seasons with the Wildcats, where he appeared in 51 career games. While primarily used in a reserve role, he developed into a steady rotational guard capable of providing scoring bursts and energy…

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Alabama A&M Bulldogs men’s basketball APR penalties explained: postseason ban, AD Paul A. Bryant responds, program outlook

Brandon King

The Alabama A&M University men’s basketball program is facing NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) penalties, which will impact its postseason eligibility. The APR deficiencies that led to the penalty stem from multiple years of challenges in academic oversight and student-athlete retention under previous leadership. While those outcomes cannot be reversed, they have created a clear mandate for improvement within the program. What is APR? The NCAA’s Academic Progress Rate (APR) measures a program’s academic eligibility and retention. Teams earn points each term based on student-athletes staying in school and remaining…

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Tennessee State Lands Versatile Guard Ajayi Simmons from Transfer Portal

Brandon King

Image via Tennessee State Athletics Tennessee State is making a major splash, securing a commitment from guard Ajayi Simmons out of the transfer portal, under the leadership of new head coach Nolan Smith. Smith, who took over as head coach at Tennessee State this offseason, now has Simmons in his arsenal—a dynamic two-way guard. Simmons, a 6’3” playmaker from Coastal Carolina, averaged 12.4 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.2 assists last season. His combination of scoring, playmaking, and defensive disruption—top 10 in steals in his conference—makes him an ideal fit for…

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Aaron Nkrumah Earns NBA G League Elite Camp Invite, Takes Next Step Toward Pro Path

Brandon King

Aaron Nkrumah is continuing to turn heads at the next level, earning an invite to the NBA G League Elite Camp, a key pre-draft showcase that puts rising prospects directly in front of NBA and G League evaluators. The camp serves as an important gateway to the NBA Draft Combine, with top performers often earning late call-ups to the main event in Chicago. For Nkrumah, the invite signals growing league-wide interest in his two-way potential and steady rise as a pro prospect. Rising Stock After Strong Season Nkrumah’s path to…

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Stillman Names Harold Ingram Jr. Women’s Basketball Head Coach

Brandon King

Image via Tuscaloosa Patch Stillman College has elevated longtime assistant Harold Ingram Jr. to head coach of its women’s basketball program, the school announced Monday. Ingram becomes the 12th head coach in program history, taking over for Jamarra Robinson, who departed after one season to pursue an NCAA Division I opportunity.   A familiar face within the program, Ingram brings continuity and deep institutional ties. A former Stillman student-athlete, he has spent the past seven seasons as an assistant coach, playing a key role in one of the most successful…

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Former Five-Star Aaron Bradshaw Commits to Tennessee State Out of Transfer Portal

Brandon King

Tennessee State has landed one of the most high-profile transfer additions in program history. Former five-star recruit and McDonald’s All-American Aaron Bradshaw has committed to Tennessee State, giving the Tigers a major frontcourt boost heading into the upcoming season. Bradshaw, a 7-foot-1 big man, arrives in Nashville following stops at Kentucky, Ohio State, and most recently Memphis. Despite battling injuries throughout his collegiate career, the former top-tier prospect has continued to flash the upside that made him one of the most coveted players in the 2023 recruiting class. During his…

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Tre Powell Commits to Alabama State University: Hornets Add Perimeter Firepower via Transfer Portal

Brandon King

The Alabama State Hornets men’s basketball have secured a key addition out of the transfer portal, landing sharpshooting guard Tre Powell. The move adds another layer of scoring punch to an Alabama State squad looking to make noise in the SWAC. Powell began his collegiate career at Shaw, where he redshirted his freshman season, and appeared in only 11 games for the Bears. He moved on to Harford Community College where he seemed to find his footing. He averaged a team high 14-2 points per game, and he developed a…

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Todd Day Sr. promoted to head men’s basketball coach at Edward Waters University

Brandon King

After steadying the program in an interim role, Todd Day Sr. has officially been named the head men’s basketball coach at Edward Waters University. Day took over midseason and helped guide the Tigers to a 15–16 overall record, including a 12–12 mark in SIAC play. While the record may not pop off the proverbial page, however the team showed promise under his leadership that could be the foundation for future success, making a strong case for removing the interim tag. Before arriving in Jacksonville, Day built a winning culture at…

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