Twenty-four of the nation’s top Historical Black Colleges and University (HBCU) basketball seniors will take the court April 5 when the 5th annual HBCU All-Star Game Experience tips off at Corteva Coliseum in Indianapolis, organizers announced on March 16.
The Black excellence showcase during college basketball’s championship weekend features players from the MEAC, SIAC, SWAC, CIAA, and independent programs, including Tennessee State, Hampton and North Carolina A&T State.
This year’s rosters honor NBA legends Bob Dandridge and Sam Jones, celebrating the historic pipeline between HBCU programs and the professional ranks.
“The HBCU All-Star Game Experience continues to show the world HBCUs Matter, while shining a global spotlight on the incredible talent, discipline, and legacy of Black College basketball,” founder and CEO of HBCU All-Stars Travis L. Williams said. “These very deserving, hardworking, and talented 24 student-athletes represent the very best of HBCU basketball, and the event provides access and exposure for them to be seen, celebrated, and evaluated as they pursue professional opportunities.”
Team Dandridge features players from MEAC, SIAC and independent schools, including Norfolk State’s Anthony McComb III, Howard’s Bryce Harris and Tennessee State’s Aaron Nkrumah — the latter two recently named HBCU All-Stars Bobby Phills Division I Co-National Players of the Year.
The team will be coached by Tennessee State’s Nolan Smith and Morehouse’s Larry Dixon, both honored as HBCU All-Stars John McLendon National Division I Co-Coaches of the Year alongside Howard’s Kenneth Blakeney.
Team Jones will counter talent from SWAC, CIAA and independent programs. Bethune-Cookman’s Jakobi Heady, Grambling State’s Roderick Coffee III and Fayetteville State’s Larry Howell headline the roster.
Howell, named Cleo Hill Division II Co-National Player of the Year, suits up alongside Fayetteville State coach Devin Hoehn, who earned Clarence “Big House” Gaines Division II Co-National Coach of the Year honors with Morehouse’s Dixon.
Bethune-Cookman coach Reggie Theus joins Hoehn on the Team Jones staff.
The game has grown into one of the premier national platforms dedicated exclusively to elevating talent from HBCUs. For decades, HBCU programs have produced elite basketball players. Yet, many athletes have historically received less national exposure than those from larger conferences.
The showcase aims to change that narrative by creating a professional-level environment where graduating seniors can demonstrate their skills to NBA, international and professional league scouts.
Beyond competition, the event celebrates the cultural and athletic legacy of HBCUs while highlighting the continued impact these institutions have on the landscape of college basketball.
The 2026 roster also includes Morgan State’s Rob Lawson, Tuskegee’s Kusamae Draper, Hampton’s Xzavier Long and 7-foot Hampton center Josh Ogundele, among others.
Team Bob Dandridge
PLAYER SCHOOL CONF. POS HT WT Rob Lawson Morgan State University MEAC PG 5-11 175 Kusamae Draper Tuskegee University SIAC C 6-9 210 Xzavier Long Hampton University Indep. PF 6-7 190 Anthony McComb III Norfolk State University MEAC SG 6-3 180 Dionte Johnson North Carolina Central University MEAC PG 6-0 200 Bryce Harris Howard University MEAC SF 6-4 220 Zion Obanla Maryland Eastern Shore MEAC PF 6-8 215 Cameron Clark South Carolina State University MEAC C 6-10 245 Travis Harper II Tennessee State University Indep. SG 6-6 190 Aaron Nkrumah Tennessee State University Indep. SG 6-6 175 JerMontae Hill Morehouse College SIAC SG 6-6 205 Najashi Tolefree Miles College SIAC SF 6-6 200
Team Bob Dandridge HBCU All-Stars Coaches
Nolan Smith, Head Men’s Basketball Coach at Tennessee State University
Larry Dixon, Head Men’s Basketball Coach at Morehouse College
Team Sam Jones
SWAC / CIAA/ INDEPENDENTS
PLAYER SCHOOL CONF. POS HT WT Jakobi Heady Bethune-Cookman University SWAC SG 6-6 200 Roderick Coffee III Grambling State University SWAC SF 6-4 200 Kintavious Dozier Alabama A&M University SWAC PG 6-1 195 Quion Williams Arkansas-Pine Bluff SWAC SG 6-5 215 Daniel Rouzan Bethune-Cookman University SWAC PF 6-8 235 Malek Abdelgowad Southern University SWAC C 6-11 220 Dontae Horne Prairie View A&M University SWAC SG 6-4 190 Nick Woodard Alcorn State University SWAC SF 6-6 210 Larry Howell Fayetteville State University CIAA SF 6-6 200 Jacob Cooper Virginia State University CIAA PG 5-8 165 Tyler Shirley Florida A&M University SWAC PF 6-8 210 Josh Ogundele Hampton University Indep. C 7-0 275
Team Sam Jones, HBCU All-Stars Coaches
Reggie Theus, Head Men’s Basketball Coach at Bethune-Cookman University
Devin Hoehn, Head Men’s Basketball Coach at Fayetteville State University
Tickets and event information are available at hbcuallstargame.com.
Contact Multimedia Reporter Noral Parham at 317-762-7846. Follow him on X @3Noral. For more news, visit indianapolisrecorder.com.
Noral Parham is the multi-media 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.
 basketball seniors will take the court April 5 when the 5th annual HBCU All-Star Game Experience tips off at Corteva Coliseum in Indianapolis, organizers announced on March 16. ){kind=link}