The National College Resources Foundation hosted their first annual Historically Black College and University basketball showcase, allowing local talent to flaunt their skills in front of 21 coaches from HBCUs.
“I want students to have the ultimate opportunity to be able to play on the next level and I know a lot of kids go unnoticed,” said NCRF founder Dr. Theresa Price. “I feel like HBCUs too, don’t have the same level playing field as the PWI’s.”
The two-day showcase was free of charge for participants. The day started off with former NBA veteran Joe Smith teaching the students drills.
“I had them doing some stuff off the move, off the dribble,” Smith said. “We did some defensive stuff, some shell drill where we did some defensive drills.”
Select participants from the first day returned the second day for the All-Star showcase. Executive Prep High school student Trevon Kiner was one of the players invited to day two.
“It’s an honor,” Kiner said. “You only get this once in a lifetime chance, so live it.”
Price wants student athletes to have an opportunity to play at the college level as well as be exposed to the rich African American culture and history provided at HBCUs.
Coaches came looking for well-rounded student athletes with a concern for their athletic and academic well-being. Among the coaches was Sammy Jackson of Fort Valley State University, located around 90 miles south of Atlanta.
Jackson was looking for students who can grow their program and can positively represent their families and communities.
“It’s not just about basketball, it’s about improving the lives of young men,” he said. “Like any other school, we’re trying to grow, we’re trying to get better.”
Senior Adrian Otis came from Mission High School in San Francisco and researched schools to see if they have his ideal major.
“I’m trying to play basketball next year in college,” Otis said. “It was good to have college coaches look at me.”
Southern University at New Orleans men’s basketball head coach Brian Gibson noted how the school has a high ranking Criminal Justice and Social Work Masters program and how business and forensic science are popular fields of study.
“We’re looking for some student athletes who want to get more than just being able to play basketball out of this,” Gibson said.
West L.A. College basketball player Trevor Blackmon came to the showcase looking for a ‘family-oriented’ program.
“I can score the ball and I play hard and play both ends,” Blackmon said.
The event exposed lesser known programs, according to Stan Holt the head coach at Langston University. Langston is a 40-minute drive from Oklahoma City and one of the western most HBCUs.
“I’m looking for diversity in regards to geography on my team,” Holt said. “I think it’s great when I have a team full of players that are from different places.”
Over 200 basketball players attended the event. The NCRF will also host their second annual HBCU football combine and 7-on-7 showcase on April 28-29 at Lynwood High School. For more information, go to thecollegeexpo.org
