Category: SWAC

Former Grambling basketballer secures spot on Pistons’ summer league team

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Courtesy of Grambling State Athletics La. | Former Grambling State University men’s basketball player Jourdan Smith has earned a spot on the Detroit Pistons Summer League roster. Smith, who just wrapped up a stellar career with GSU, helped the Tigers claim back-to-back regular season championships and win the 2024 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) men’s basketball championship.  The New Orleans, La. native participated in the 3rdAnnual HBCU All-Star Game in April following a season in which he averaged 9.8 points per game, 4.6 rebounds and 1.1 blocks. Smith was dominant in the SWAC…

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SIAC 2024 Football Preseason Honors and Predicted Order of Finish

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Courtesy of the SIAC The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference announced its 2024 Preseason All-SIAC Football team and Predicted Order of Finish on Tuesday, featuring 30 returning players from the 2023 SIAC Football All-Conference team. Preseason All-SIAC Football selections, individual honorees, and the Predicted Order of Finish are as voted on by the conference’s head coaches and sports information directors. FIRST TEAM POSITION NAME SCHOOL CLASS HOMETOWN Offensive Line Dylan Lampkin* Edward Waters Senior Jacksonville, FL Offensive Line Tyler Lowery* Miles Senior Evergreen, AL Offensive Line Jamari Pierre* Edward Waters Sophomore…

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Son of Shaquille O’ Neal heading to Florida A&M 

Brandon King

Shaqir O’Neal, son of basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal is heading to the Highest of Seven Hills.  “Shaqir has played in one of the premier programs in our conference and for a great head coach,” said head coach Patrick Crarey. “He brings versatility, athleticism, and experience to our team. I’m excited he chose me to help him achieve his goals.” Shaqir had spent the previous three seasons at Texas Southern, posting career averages of 1.6 points, and 1.3 rebounds in only 8.5 minutes per contest. His career-best effort came in a 12-point, 7-rebound…

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Grambling State women’s hoops adds TJ Royals to coaching staff

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Courtesy of Grambling State Athletic Communications Grambling State University women’s basketball head coach Courtney Simmons has announced the addition of TJ Royals to her staff as an assistant coach. “Geno Auriemma once said ‘I don’t hire good coaches, I hire good people.’ And I’m fortunate to have Coach TJ Royals and his family join us,” said Simmons. “He brings a wealth of knowledge, love, and passion for the game. He has won championships in the SWAC and I am excited about the opportunity to grow with him.” Royals comes to…

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Jackson State’s Malone Silver named to NCAA Division I Legislative Committee

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title image via JSU Athletics Courtesy of Jackson State Athletics Jackson State Associate Athletic Director for Academics and Compliance Malone Silver has been appointed as a member of the Division I Legislative Committee. The appointment runs from July 1 of this year until June 30, 2028. The Legislative Committee’s primary responsibility will be to review and make recommendations to the Council regarding the merits of proposals developed through the shared governance process (conferences and Council committees). The Legislative Committee will also provide feedback to autonomy conferences regarding the impact of autonomy proposals on the…

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UAPB women’s hoops names Roderick Woods as assistant coach

Brandon King

New Arkansas Pine Bluff women’s head basketball coach Erica Leak rounds out her coaching staff, as the program announced the hiring of Roderick “Rodd” Woods as an assistant coach.  “We are so excited to announce coach Woods as the final piece to our staff,” said Coach Leak. “Woods is a competitor, a strong recruiter, and a passionate coach whose experiences will serve him well here at UAPB. A connector by nature, who is experienced in leadership development and team development, embodies our ‘six C’s, (Character, Commitment, Confidence, Class, Courage Culture)’…

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Arkansas Pine Bluff names Xavier Johnson as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator

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The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff women’s basketball coach, Erica Leak, has announced the hiring of Xavier Johnson as the program’s assistant coach and recruiting coordinator. “I couldn’t be more excited to welcome Coach Johnson to Golden Lions Nation,” Leak said. “He will bring an incredible amount of experience both on and off the court to our program. Xavier is an elite-level recruiter and teacher. Our student-athletes are going to thrive under his leadership. He brings great experience and knowledge of the women’s basketball circuit landscape to help continue our vision…

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UAPB women’s hoops adds Freddie Murray as Associate Head Coach

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Courtesy of Arkansas Pine Bluff Athletics The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff women’s basketball head coach Erica Leak announced the addition of Freddie Murray as the Golden Lion’s newest Associate Head Coach, the program announced on Friday. Murray, who has a 20-plus-year career in coaching college basketball, brings a resume to the UAPB office that indicates success at various game levels.   Leak expressed her excitement about the addition, saying, “On behalf of the entire UAPB women’s basketball program, I am thrilled to welcome Freddie Murray to our coaching staff. Murray’s expertise…

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FAMU Basketball scheduling frozen in lieu of Patrick Crarey II contract ordeal

Brandon King

To say the Patrick Crarey era at FAMU has gotten off to an inauspicious start would be an understatement.  Since being introduced as the Rattlers’ new men’s basketball coach, it has been anything but smooth sailing. As was previously reported, Crarey’s contract was to be ratified on July 1, the day after former coach Robert McCullum’s contract was set to expire. In the interim of a ratification of his deal, Crarey had been operating under an agreement that according to Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Tiffani Dawn Sykes…

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Alabama A&M women’s hoops recipient of sizablele donation

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 The Alabama A&M women’s basketball program received a large donation as the Center for Rural Enterprise and Environmental Justice (CREEJ) donated a golf cart on Tuesday morning at the AAMU Event Center. “We have a walking campus,” Thornton said about the much-needed gift. “This golf cart will allow us to transport recruits, alumni and potential donors who come to visit our amazing campus. It has endless possibilities and we are so thankful to Dr. Catherine Coleman Flowers and the Center for Rural Enterprise and Environmental Justice for is donation.” Thornton enters…

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