HOUSTON — Travis Williams has been motivated by his “God-driven vision and purpose” since founding the HBCU All-Star Basketball Game. For three years, the former HBCU head basketball coach has brought attention to the NBA’s significant oversight in its draft selections.
The last HBCU basketball player drafted by an NBA team was in 2012 when Norfolk State’s Kyle O’Quinn was selected in the second round by the Orlando Magic. This year, the event’s third installment will feature 24 players, bringing the total to 72 since its inception.
“I live a life of service,” Williams remarked. “I’m all about my family, and we want to make sure our all-stars are covered. We want to make sure this all-star game is covered. And, we want to make sure that our culture is covered.”
nHBCU All-Star Game Founder Travis Williams; Credit: HBCU All-Star Game
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Williams has a strong alliance with CBS Sports. Together, they have addressed the need for HBCU players in the NBA, G League, and other professional basketball leagues. The HBCU All-Star Game has quickly become a tentpole event amid the NCAA Final Four Weekend.
“We think it’s important to show them our culture and talent. We will use this platform as a beacon of hope and a voice for the athletes and our communities. We’re excited to do that,” Williams noted.
The ultimate goal remains: the National Basketball League (NBA) must draft HBCU talent.
2024 HBCU ALL-STAR GAME SCHEDULED EVENTS
Wednesday, Apr. 3
- Community Service (Stuff Back Packs for Back to School)
- 6:30 PM – HBCU All-Stars Reception and Meet & Greet
- 7:30 PM – HBCU All-Stars Awards Ceremony Begin
Thursday, Apr. 4
- 3:30 PM – YMCA Youth Clinic
- 4:30 PM – Questions & Answer Session
- 4:45 PM – Meal with Transition House/Homeless
- 7:00 PM – until Welcome Reception, HBCU All-Stars Mixer for the City of Phoenix
Friday, Apr. 5
- 9:00 AM – HBCU All-Star College Admissions & Scholarship Fair at Phoenix College
- 9:00 AM – HBCU All-Star presents Pro-Day Combine with BAM Testing (Grand Canyon University Global Credit Union Arena) with NBA, G-League, & International Scouts, Personnel, Agents, Local and National Press/Media
- 9:00 AM – HBCU Basketball Combine and Pro Day Skill Development/Workouts Team Workouts with Pro Trainers
- 12:30 PM – Visit the College Admissions Fair at Phoenix College
- TBD High Schools Outreach Cap/Gown Donations With Jostens
- 2:00 PM – HBCU All-Stars Press Conference with Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego at City Hall
- 4:30 PM – HBCU All-Stars Community Outreach & Legacy Court Dedication with Social Justice & Community Fun Day (Grant Park)
- 7:00 PM – Phoenix Suns vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Game TBD or HBCU All-Stars Bowling Night
Saturday, Apr. 6
- 8:00 AM – HBCU All-Stars Boot Camp open to ALL, including GCU, ASU Students, Faculty, Staff, HBCU, CBS Sports, NCAA, NABC Members & coaches, NBA, G-league, Corporate & Local Sponsors, Alums, Fans, & Supporters focusing on Mental & Physical Health & Wellness (Location TBD)
- 12:30 PM – Bus Departs to George Washington Carver Museum & Cultural Center
- 1:00 PM – HBCU All-Stars, Social Justice, & Civil Rights Luncheon
- TBD HBCU All-Stars Official Team Haircuts at Host Hotel
Sunday, Apr. 7
- 11:00 AM – Pre-Game Fan Fest GCU Quad Area(Doors open)
- 1 PM PST/4 PM EST – Broadcast live on CBS Television Network & streaming on Paramount+
- 7:00 PM – Team Dinner & Celebration in host hotel or other location (TBD)
On Friday, Apr. 5, athletes will participate in the Career Fair and the HBCU Basketball Combine/Pro Day. The career fair will provide access to employment opportunities for participants and the surrounding community.
Next, the Combine and Pro Day session includes the professional workouts, testing, and interviews the 24 basketball players would receive from professional scouts and team decision-makers.
“It’s the second year we’ve had them exposed to how the NBA handles an actual Pro Day,” Williams acknowledged.
TRAVIS WILLIAMS’ A GOD-DRIVEN VISION
“We invite all the top pastors in Phoenix to cover and pray for us. I want to show these young men that this is a very important component of life.” Grand Canyon University is a Christian-based institution that perfectly aligns with Williams’ core beliefs.
HBCU ALL-STAR GAME FAN FEST
“We’re going to have a pregame Fan Fest,” Williams said excitedly. “It’ll
be black and brown businesses, corporate partners” over two football fields at the Grand Canyon’s Global Credit Union Arena. He believes that even without an HBCU institution in Phoenix, the HBCU All-Star game can still achieve its mission of “providing exposure, access, recognition, opportunities, and resources to prestigious and tradition-rich HBCUs.”
THE 2024 HBCU ALL-STAR GAME
The 2024 HBCU All-Star Game will be broadcast on CBS at 1:00 PM PT on Sunday, Apr. 7, from the Global Credit Union Arena, located on the campus of Grand Canyon University. HBCU All-Star Game tickets and scholarship fund donations are open at hbcusallstargame.com.
