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HBCU Basketball


HBCU Basketball

The buzz of basketball is ever present on many HBCU campuses. Like football, the energy surges through campuses as the season begins as one of the most popular HBCU sports. Black athletes have been playing basketball since its invention in the beginning of the 20th century. Much of this can be credited to a Howard Bison alum named Edwin Henderson. After graduating from Howard, Henderson went on to earn an athletic training Ph.D. from Central Chiropractic College in Kansas City, Missouri. In 1904, he attended a training class at the Harvard Summer School of Physical Education for gym teachers, and this is where the invention of basketball was unveiled. Excited about this new game, Henderson brought basketball back to Washington D.C. For the remainder of his life, Henderson worked tirelessly to build the foundations of black basketball. In turn, he is remembered as the "Father of Black Basketball." He organized the ISSA (Interscholastic Athletic Association), which brought together black teams along the Mid-Atlantic coast for games. Some of the first HBCUs to adopt basketball were Hampton University, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, Wilberforce University, and Virginia Union (Richmond). In 1916, the CIAA was formed, uniting Virginia Union, Shaw University, Lincoln, and Howard in competition. Because of Henderson's work, D.C. is called the "Birthplace of Black Basketball." He even formed a branch of the NAACP in Falls Church, Virginia, where he broke down the segregated seating policy in Uline Area. This facility hosted the Washington Capitols basketball games of the Basketball Association of America. Later in 1949, the Capitols joined the National Basketball Association (NBA) and drafted Harold Hunter and Earl Lloyd. These two were some of the NBA's first African American players.

There are five conferences in which HBCUs participate in: MEAC (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference), SWAC (Southwest Athletic Conference), SIAC (Southern Intercollegiate Conference), CIAA (Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association), and GCAC (Gulf Coast Athletic Conference). HBCUs are broken up into Divisions 1 and 2, with new and exciting champions in each conference every year. In 2018, North Carolina Central University took the MEAC Championship as a #6 seed. NC A&T is a consistently solid D1 team as well. For D2, Morehouse has been a dominating force, with Clark Atlanta not far behind. There have been numerous HBCU basketballers to go on to the NBA in recent years. In 2012, Kyle O'Quinn of Norfolk State University was drafted to the Orlando Magic. O'Quinn recently agreed to a contract with the Indiana Pacers. Robert Covington of Tennessee State played for the Philadelphia 76ers, but now reps the Minnesota Timberwolves. In 2018, Morgan State alum Phil Carr and Morehouse man Tyrius Walker both signed on to the New York Knicks. Past HBCU alums gone pro include Charles Oakley, Ben Wallace, Sam Jones, Marvin Webster, and Earl "The Pearl" Monroe.

Are you a hype man for an HBCU basketball team? With our G.O.A.T. basketball shorts, you'll definitely draw attention from fans and players alike. From Alabama State to Winston-Salem State, this collection will offer your HBCU. These old-school inspired shorts fit true to size, sit mid-thigh, and have one zippered back pocket. The long drawstrings give these shorts an extra layer of style—tied or left untied, they look great. Cop a pair of these shorts to wear just about anywhere, but especially on game days. Rep your set!

If you have any questions about our G.O.A.T. basketball shorts or would like to see your school in our apparel, please contact us.