The National Basketball Association (NBA) brings the rich tradition of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) basketball to the West Coast during its 2026 All-Star festivities, continuing a now-signature event that has previously made a memorable mark in cities like Indianapolis.
The league announced the 2026 NBA HBCU Classic, presented by AT&T, features a men’s basketball showdown between the Hampton University Pirates and the North Carolina A&T State University Aggies. The game is scheduled for Feb. 13 at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, California. This matchup, a conference game within the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA), will mark the fifth edition of the event.
“Hampton University and North Carolina A&T State University are two premier HBCU institutions with a historic rivalry that represents the pride, tradition and excellence of HBCU basketball,” NBA Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer Mark Tatum said. “We look forward to hosting both teams in Los Angeles as part of NBA All-Star 2026 and celebrating the culture and competition of these two storied programs.”
The event is a pillar of the NBA’s broader initiative to amplify support for HBCU athletics and advance educational and career opportunities for students. As part of the 2026 classic, the NBA and AT&T will jointly donate $100,000 each to Hampton University and North Carolina A&T State University.
Since expanding its HBCU commitments in 2021, the NBA family has contributed over $5.5 million to HBCU institutions, partners, and scholarship funds.
For fans in Indianapolis, the announcement carries a sense of déjà vu and progression. The NBA HBCU Classic was a highlight of the 2024 NBA All-Star Weekend in Indy, where Virginia Union University and Winston-Salem State University battled at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. That event was widely praised for its electric atmosphere, seamlessly blending high-level competition with cultural celebration in the heart of the city.
“The CAA is excited to partner with the NBA in showcasing the Hampton and North Carolina A&T men’s basketball programs in a conference matchup set to take place in the NBA HBCU Classic,” CAA Commissioner Joe D’Antonio said. “The ability to work with the world’s premier organization for basketball is an incredible opportunity that aligns with the core values of the Conference.”
University officials expressed profound honor at the selection.
“This is not only a tremendous opportunity for two historic institutions to showcase the talent, tradition, and excellence of our student-athletes on a national stage, but also a celebration of the rich legacy of Historically Black Colleges and Universities,” Hampton University Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Anthony D. Henderson, Sr. said.
Echoing that sentiment, North Carolina A&T State University Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Earl M. Hilton III highlighted the historical weight of the rivalry.
“Both schools have produced quality student-athletes from Al Attles to Rick Mahorn and have shaped American history with such prominent figures as the A&T Four and Booker T. Washington,” Hilton said. “Therefore, it will be an honor to share this international stage with Hampton University.”
The cClassic promises to be more than a game; it is a cultural event celebrating academic and athletic excellence. It follows a model proven successful in Indianapolis, where community engagement and national television exposure provided unparalleled visibility for the participating HBCUs.
Ticket and broadcast details for the 2026 NBA HBCU Classic will be released at a later date. Fans can find information on NBA All-Star experiences at nbaevents.nba.com.
Contact Multimedia Reporter Noral Parham at 317-762-7846 or email him at noralp@indyrecorder.com. Follow him on X @3Noral. For more news, click here.
Noral Parham is the multi-media & senior sports reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder, one of the oldest Black publications in the country. Prior to joining the Recorder, Parham served as the community advocate of the MLK Center in Indianapolis and senior copywriter for an e-commerce and marketing firm in Denver.
