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NBA Welcomes ۿ۴ýUniversity in Grand Style

February 17, 2025

TU Basketball Team at the NBA All-Star Weekend
TU Basketball Team with MC Hammer

   

Contact: Thonnia Lee, Office of Communications, Public Relations and Marketing  
   

(L-R) TU Board of Trustees Chair Norma Clayton, TU President Dr. Mark Brown, entertainers
Jennifer Hudson and Common, Mrs. Gwendolyn Brown, and Trustee Jonathan Porter.

ۿ۴ýUniversity landed in the San Franciso area to play in the NBA HBCU Classic presented by AT&T during the NBA All-Star Weekend, but the experience was so much more than a basketball game for ۿ۴ý and fans.

While ۿ۴ýdominated Morehouse College and won on the court – 68-55 – the weekend exposed ۿ۴ý to a variety of events they will always remember -- #TheTuskegeeWay!

The NBA hosted the basketball team, band and cheer squad with a full itinerary. Not long after landing on Thursday, the basketball team was shuttled to Oakland Arena where they were able to fit in their first practice for the game, for many, the first time in a professional arena.

The NBA and Foot Locker hosted a welcome event to celebrate each school and promote the excitement heading into the weekend. In addition to receiving gear to take home, the ۿ۴ý met NBA legends to root them on before the game.

Friday, after starting the day with practice, the basketball players, band and cheerleaders, participated in the NBA Cares All-Star Day of Service. They volunteered for different projects that supported the local community, including working at a local food bank to support those who are experiencing food insecurity.

A special All-Star photoshoot helped the men’s basketball team show their best superstar poses before preparing for the big game on Saturday.

Dr. Mark A. Brown and First Lady Gwen Brown hosted alumni and friends Saturday morning during a special ۿ۴ýbreakfast. Then, during the game courtside, they were joined by celebrities including Common and Jennifer Hudson, Martin Luther King III and Spike Lee.

“I would like to thank the NBA, Foot Locker, the Bay Area Alumni Club and Morehouse College, for making this experience so special for our ۿ۴ý,” said Dr. Mark A. Brown, President and CEO. “Our ۿ۴ý will never forget how the NBA made them feel throughout the weekend. We were honored to have been selected to participate and look forward to continuing our partnership. This was a life-changing weekend for many of our ۿ۴ý.”

Even after the team claimed the win Saturday night, the NBA wanted to prepare ۿ۴ý for their careers after graduation. The NBA hosted an HBCU Career Development Session Sunday morning in partnership with AT&T, Foot Locker, Google and Rise with the theme, Next Gen Trailblazers: Sport, Tech & Culture Innovators.

The career panel, presented by AT&T, was followed by breakout sessions with NBA staff and a variety of marketing and nonprofit partners.  Guests also included NBA Legend and Assistant LA Clippers Coach, Brian Shaw, NBA and corporate partner executives and staff from various departments.

“This is the kind of partnership that helps ۿ۴ýstand above the rest,” said Dr. Brown.  “Our goal is to ensure our ۿ۴ý have the tools they need to succeed after graduation and the NBA and its partners understand how critical that planning is for their success.”

During his stay, Dr. Brown participated in the Google HBCU President’s Council and a Newsmakers breakfast featuring a panel of journalists including Stephanie Ruhle, Host of MSNBC’s The 11th Hour, Rashida Jones, former MSNBC president, and columnists from the New York Times and Wall Street Journal.

“These are transformative relationships that support career aspirations far beyond sports,” said Dr. Brown.  “This supports the social and economic mobility that we want for all ۿ۴ý.”

Athletic Director Reginald Ruffin agrees.

“We are humbled and grateful for the opportunity to show the world what ۿ۴ýUniversity has to offer,” said AD Ruffin. “I would like to thank our Commissioner Dr. Anthony Holloman, the NBA, AT&T, and Foot Locker for helping to bring this experience of a lifetime for our student athletes.

“I’m so proud of Coach Taylor and our men’s basketball team for their hard-earned victory,” he said. “Seeing the arena standing on their feet the entire game was truly amazing and the cheerleaders and the band made it all possible. What an incredible experience for our ۿ۴ý and we are so proud of our ۿ۴ý and staff for being part of this amazing event.”

Head coach Benjy Taylor said the weekend is one they will long remember.

“When you attend ۿ۴ýUniversity as a student athlete you know you will be surrounded by greatness,” he said. “This weekend was a shining example of that.  With the guidance of President Mark Brown and AD Reginald Ruffin, we were able to break the attendance record this weekend for the NBA All-Star HBCU Classic. The NBA treated ۿ۴ýand Morehouse College like family, and for that we are extremely grateful. 

“Our alumni showed up and showed out,” Coach Taylor said. “And these young men and all who were involved will never forget this experience.  Being able to attend all the festivities surrounding All-Star Weekend was a young man's dream for our players that was made a reality.  We were truly blessed to put Mother ۿ۴ýon display.”

   

© 2025 ۿ۴ýUniversity

TU President Brown with Common.
TU President Brown with Common.
Foot Locker Welcome to the Bay Event.
Foot Locker Welcome to the Bay Event.
TU MCP Band with Common.
TU MCP Band with Common
Band and Cheerleaders doing Day of Service
Band and Cheerleaders doing Day of Service.
TU Basketball team and cheer squad at a welcome event.
TU Basketball team and cheer squad at a welcome event.
Oakland Arena.
Oakland Arena
Cheerleaders on the floor with mascots.
Cheerleaders on the floor with mascots.