Over 4,000 People Attended The Historic HBCU All Star Game on Aril 2nd at Texas Southern University!
Houston, TX- With lines from the arena doors to the parking lot, Houston basketball and HBCU fans showed up and showed out in support of the 2nd Annual CBS Live Streamed HBCU All-Star Game on Sunday, April 2nd. Attendees dressed in their best HBCU and Greek Organization attire flooded the arena with so much energy and excitement, many were heard describing the experience as a classic HBCU Homecoming!
Plus, peep our short interview below with former 14-year NBA veteran, NBA champion AND budding media star via ALL THE SMOKE, Stephen Jackson.
Photo Cred: David Settle
Prairie View A&M University's "Marching Storm" Band opened the pre-game show, getting the crowd hyped to welcome the players to the court. Also, cheering on the players were familiar faces Craig Robinson (Michelle Obama brother), Stephen Jackson (Former NBA Player), Attorney Ben Crump (Social Justice Leader), Rev. Jesse Jackson, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Mayor Sylvester Turner, Houston Police Chief Troy Finner, Council Member Edward Pollard, Lesia Crumpton (President of Texas Southern University), Leela James (Singer), Max Bozeman II (Serial Entrepreneur), Pastor Timothy Sloan (The Luke Humble Church), Pastor Terrance Johnson (Higher Dimensions Church), Justin Reid (Kansas City Chiefs Safety), Council Member Carolyn Evans- Shabazz, Tragil Wade-Johnson (Dwayne Wade's sister/Author) and Chris "Lethal Shooter" Matthews (Celebrity Shooting Coach).
During the halftime show, Texas Southern University's "Ocean Of Soul" Marching Band along with their cheerleaders gave a great performance followed by a Divine 9 stroll off featuring members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, & more. Before wrapping up halftime, HBCU All-Star LLC Founder, Travis L. Williams, presented $10,000 checks on behalf of HBCU All-Star to the CIAA, MEAC, SWAC, and SIAC conferences.
Team Willis Reed, named in honor of the late HBCU and NBA legend Willis Reed, featured players from the SWAC and the CIAA and was coached by Donte' Jackson of Grambling State and Jay Butler of Virginia Union. Team Dick Barnett was named in honor of Dick Barnett, a star once at Tennessee State who went on to have an illustrious pro career, included players from the MEAC, SIAC, and Independent ranks. Team Barnett defeated Team Reed with a winning score of 113-99. Team Barnett's Nathaniel Pollard Jr. also earned MVP honors in the All-Star game.
Although, the big game on Sunday was a grand finale, the HBCU All-Stars alongside Houston Random Acts Of Kindness, hosted ancillary events through the week. Their first stop taking place at Yates High School, appreciating Teachers for all their hard work surprising them with lunch and new laptops and then to Cuney Homes, where residents enjoyed a community funday with free food, bouncy houses, and received new washer and dryers and AC units.
