From the moment I stepped into ESPN Wide World of Sports for Day 1 of the inaugural HBCU Hoops Invitational, I could feel it—this wasn’t just another tournament. With so many basketball classics and showcases across the country, you might ask why we need yet another event on the calendar. But as I sat through the Fireside Chats, listened to coaches speak passionately about their programs, and watched scholar-athletes engage boldly with panelists on health, finance, and careers in sports, the answer became crystal clear: this Invitational fills a void that no other event truly addresses.
Unlike other early-season tournaments, the HBCU Hoops Invitational is built exclusively for HBCU men’s and women’s programs—an intentional space that doesn’t just celebrate basketball, but honors culture, education, and legacy. While notable events like the Chris Paul HBCU Tip-Off and various classic matchups highlight HBCU basketball, none deliver a full multi-day experience rooted equally in competition, career development, and community impact. This tournament isn’t simply about crowning a champion; it’s about empowering the whole athlete.
Day 1 set the tone perfectly. The Fireside Chats—“conversations that matter”—created a bridge between the court and the future. With support from partners like Florida Blue and AdventHealth, scholar-athletes engaged with experts who broke down topics that extend far beyond the scoreboard: financial literacy, long-term health, and the realities of building a career in the sports world. The questions coming from the student-athletes were sharp, thoughtful, and bold. You could see the impact in real time.
Then the games tipped off—energy, intensity, and pure HBCU pride. Session 1 closed with @fmu_mbb and @hupirates_wbb punching their tickets to the championship round. And that’s just the beginning. The Invitational promises more matchups, more storylines, and more opportunities for these programs to shine on a national stage.
But what truly sets this event apart is its mission. The HBCU Hoops Invitational is designed to elevate HBCUs by increasing national visibility, supporting scholar-athletes through scholarships and academic resources, and creating career pipelines through internships and leadership development. It also aims to inspire middle and high school students—many of whom will attend the tournament—to envision HBCUs not just as options, but as destinations for excellence, heritage, and pride.
Even the crest tells a story. The ribbon signaling what lies ahead, the shield representing the grind and grit it takes to compete, the gold leaves honoring every HBCU program—each element symbolizes sacrifice, purpose, and the pursuit of the crown. That symbolic crown is what these young athletes are chasing, both on and off the court.
And at the center of this vision stands Haywoode Workman, a former NBA guard, All-State quarterback, CBA standout, 13-year NBA official, and a Hall of Famer at Oral Roberts University. His journey—from Winston-Salem State to the NBA hardwood to the officiating ranks—embodies the very spirit of impact and reinvention this Invitational aims to inspire.
So yes, there are other tournaments. But none carry this mission, this intentionality, or this legacy. The HBCU Hoops Invitational isn’t just needed—it’s overdue. And after Day 1, it’s clear: a new tradition in HBCU athletics has officially begun.
Check out the event line-up here and head over to HBCUHoops.org
