Tag: HBCU Basketball

CIAA Basketball Media Day to take place October 7 in Baltimore

Staff

image via the CIAA Courtesy of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), the nation’s oldest historically black athletic conference, will tip off its 2025-26 basketball season with its annual Basketball Media Day on Tuesday, October 7th in Baltimore, Maryland.  The event, typically held in the host city, helps set the tone for the upcoming season as each institution’s head men’s and women’s basketball coaches as well as select players will be interviewed by a pair of hosts to discuss the season ahead.  The circuit will…

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Albany State hoops announced 2025-26 recruiting class

Staff

Courtesy of Albany State Athletics The Albany State University men’s basketball program and head coach Patrick Gayleare proud to announce the signing of the 2025-26 recruiting class. This year’s class brings a mix of experience, size, and talent to the Golden Rams, with four transfer student-athletes and one incoming freshman set to make an immediate impact on the hardwood. Headlining the class is Zachary Reinhart, a 6’6 senior guard from Orlando, Florida, who joins the Golden Rams after competing at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. Reinhart’s versatility as a…

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FAMU Basketball lands 4-star guard

Brandon King

Charlie Ward and Florida A&M basketball secured a commitment from 4-Star guard Jayden “JJ” Joseph.  He made his announcement Saturday on social media in a post that was, in part, “so close to the top, now they think I ain’t had it.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by 1️⃣🃏 (@jaydennjoseph) Joseph, a 6-2 guard, averaged 11.0 points, scoring a season high 32 points, and 2.4 rebounds as he helped West Oaks Academy to a 22-12 overall record and 15-1 mark in district play.  The class of 2026…

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SWAC announces time coordinates and location for 2025 Men’s and Women’s Basketball Media Day

Brandon King

The SWAC announced the dates for its 2025 Men’s and Women’s Basketball Media Day. The annual event will take place October 7-8 at the Embassy Suites in Birmingham, Alabama.  Beginning at 10 A.M. on both days, Media Day brings together coaches and a pair of players from each member institution to speak with the media regarding the upcoming 2025-26 season.  The conference will also announce the 2026-26 predicted order of finish for both the men’s and women’s sides.  A complete list of the attending student-athletes will be released at a…

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Ohio Valley Conference announces 2025-26 Basketball Schedule 

Brandon King

The Ohio Valley Conference announced its mens and women’s basketball conference schedule for the 2025-26 season.  Once more, the conference tilt features a 20-game round robin docket amongst the 11 conference members. Each team will play a pair of conference matchups before Christmas; the post-Christmas docket will resume December 30, concluding Saturday, February 28, 2026.  The 2026 Men’s and Women’s OVC Basketball Tournament will take place March 4-7 at Evansville, Indiana’s Ford Center.  Every conference game and home non-conference matchups can be seen on the ESPN family of networks, with…

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Nolan Smith named Tennessee State head coach men’s basketball coach

Brandon King

Friday Tennessee State announced that the school named Nolan Smith its new men’s head basketball coach.  “Nolan Smith is a championship-caliber leader with elite playing experience, high basketball IQ, and a proven track record of developing NBA talent,” said TSU Director of Athletics Dr. Mikki Allen.  “He brings top-tier recruiting connections, a player-first approach, and a deeply authentic bond with today’s student-athletes. Shaped by some of the game’s best, Nolan will lead our program with integrity and impact on the court and in the community. Our future is in great…

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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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