Tag: Tennessee State Basketball

Tennessee State Lands Seton Hall Transfer Josh Rivera

Brandon King

Tennessee State continues to strengthen its roster under head coach Nolan Smith. Former Seton Hall forward Josh Rivera has committed to the Tigers, Rivera confirmed to @247SportsPortal. The veteran wing gives Tennessee State another experienced addition as the program prepares for the 2026-27 season.  Rivera, a 6-foot-6, 225-pound forward, spent last season at Seton Hall, where he averaged 3.3 points and 2.0 rebounds in limited minutes. Prior to joining the Pirates, he played at Fordham, where he averaged 10.7 points and 4.3 rebounds during the 2024-25 campaign, showcasing his ability…

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Tennessee State Women’s Basketball Unveils 2026-27 OVC Conference Schedule

Brandon King

The Tennessee State women’s basketball team has announced its 2026-27 Ohio Valley Conference schedule, giving the Lady Tigers their roadmap for conference play as they prepare for the upcoming season. OVC action begins on Dec. 11 when Tennessee State travels to Western Illinois. The Lady Tigers will then close out the calendar year with a New Year’s Eve matchup at Southern Indiana before opening 2027 with a trip to Eastern Illinois on Jan. 2. Tennessee State opens its conference home schedule at the Gentry Center on Jan. 7 against Western…

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Tennessee State Men’s Basketball to Compete in Toyota Chris Paul HBCU Classic

Brandon King

Defending Ohio Valley Conference champion Tennessee State will take its talents to the national stage this December after being selected to compete in the third annual Toyota Chris Paul HBCU Classic. The two-day showcase will be held December 4-5, 2026, at CareFirst Arena in Washington, D.C., marking the first time the event has been hosted in the nation’s capital. Organized by the Chris Paul Family Foundation in partnership with the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, the event celebrates the excellence, culture, and legacy of HBCU basketball while providing student-athletes with…

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Tennessee State Basketball Announces 2026-27 OVC Schedule as Tigers Begin Title Defense

Brandon King

The road to another Ohio Valley Conference championship is officially set. Defending OVC champion Tennessee State has announced its 2026-27 conference schedule, giving the Tigers their first look at the path toward defending both their regular-season and tournament crowns. The 16-game league slate features eight home contests at the Gentry Center and eight road games as Tennessee State looks to build on one of the program’s most successful seasons in more than three decades. The Tigers will tip off conference play on Dec. 31 with a road matchup against Southern…

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Nolan Smith Bolsters Tennessee State Backcourt with Addition of Veteran Guard Ty-Laur Johnson

Brandon King

Tennessee State head coach Nolan Smith continues to reshape the Tigers’ roster ahead of the 2026-27 season, adding another experienced playmaker with the commitment of veteran guard Ty-Laur Johnson.  Johnson arrives in Nashville after spending last season at San Diego, where he averaged 14.6 points, 4.3 assists, and 2.7 rebounds per game while emerging as one of the West Coast Conference’s top offensive guards. The Brooklyn native brings Division I experience, scoring ability, and playmaking to a Tennessee State team looking to build on last season’s Ohio Valley Conference championship…

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Tennessee State Lands Former McDonald’s All-American Arterio Morris

Brandon King

Tennessee State Tigers men’s basketball has officially signed former McDonald’s All-American and five-star recruit Arterio Morris, adding another high-profile talent to a roster that is quickly becoming one of the most intriguing teams in the HBCU and mid-major landscape.   Head coach Nolan Smith announced the signing , bringing in a guard who has competed at multiple levels of college basketball, including stints with the Texas Longhorns, South Plains College, and Bethune-Cookman.   Morris averaged 11.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game at Bethune-Cookman last season He scored…

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Aaron Nkrumah Lands NBA Opportunity, Signs Exhibit 10 Deal with Denver Nuggets

Brandon King

The NBA dream remains alive for Aaron Nkrumah, one of the most decorated players in Tennessee State basketball history. The former Tennessee State star signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Denver Nuggets, earning an opportunity to compete for a roster spot during training camp after going undrafted in the 2026 NBA Draft. An Exhibit 10 contract is a one-year, non-guaranteed NBA deal that allows a player to compete in training camp. It can be converted into a two-way contract if the player impresses, making it an important pathway for…

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Former Tennessee State Basketball Coach Ron Abernathy Dies at 75, Leaving Lasting Legacy Across HBCU Basketball

Brandon King

The Tennessee State basketball family is mourning the loss of former men’s basketball head coach Ron Abernathy, who has passed away at the age of 75. Abernathy, whose coaching career spanned more than five decades, led the Tennessee State Tigers men’s basketball from 1991 to 1995 before continuing his successful coaching journey at Lane College, where he became the winningest coach in the program’s history. Most recently, he served as the head coach at Humboldt High School, retiring earlier this year after 12 seasons.   Before his time at Tennessee…

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Tennessee State Adds International Guard Nandinkhusel Nyamjav to Backcourt Mix

Brandon King

Tennessee State continues to quietly build out its roster with an international flair, landing a commitment from Mongolian guard Nandinkhusel Nyamjav, a dynamic scorer who brings proven production and perimeter versatility to the Tigers’ backcourt. Nyamjav arrives in Nashville after a strong run at Florida Tech, where she appeared in 17 games, with 13 starts. Nyamjav averaged 11.6 points per contest, which was the third highest on the team. She dropped a season-high 28 points against USC Beaufort in November 19, 2025. The lead guard also spent two seasons with…

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Aaron Nkrumah earns call up to NBA Draft combine

Brandon King

Aaron Nkrumah is officially headed to the 2026 NBA Draft Combine after forcing his way onto NBA radars with a strong showing at the G League Elite Camp. The Tennessee State standout, who was the lone HBCU representative, didn’t just show up—he stood out. Nkrumah’s two-way impact, defensive pressure, and scoring burst were enough to earn him one of the limited call-ups from the Elite Camp to the main combine in Chicago. That move signals real traction in a draft process that often locks in early. Coming off a breakout…

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