The NBA has announced AT&T as its presenting partner for their second annual NBA HBCU Classic. Together, the NBA and AT&T will donate $100,000 to Classic opponents Grambling State University and Southern University – totaling $200,000 to support academic resources, athletics, and wellness services. The Classic is part of the NBA’s ongoing commitments to students, faculty, and alumni of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Google and Adidas will also serve as associate partners of the game.
The NBA has continued to show its ongoing commitment to HBCUs with over $1M contributed to organizations thus far. The contributions will help provide scholarships, economic empowerment, and career development opportunities to HBCU students and institutions.
“AT&T is excited to be back for our second year as a presenting partner for the NBA HBCU Classic. The education and experience provided at HBCUs is a valuable part of Black culture, and these schools produce some of the smartest young minds in our country, who eventually become leaders of companies like AT&T.” – Michelle Jordan, Chief Diversity Officer
Also as part of the partnership’s impact, the NBA Foundation will donate $500,000 to the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, the United Negro College Fund, Braven, and The University of Utah’s HBCU Impact and Black Culture Center Program.
As part of Grambling State Tigers and Southern Jaguars’ participation in NBA All-Star 2023, both teams will have the opportunity to engage with the NBA league, and team executives as well as current and former NBA players, and take part in the NBA Cares All-Star Day of Service. Check out all the programming below!
HBCU Event Intern Program: NBA All-Star
The NBA will host 13 current HBCU students from 10 different schools for the second time at NBA All-Star to serve as interns throughout the week. Participating students will have the opportunity to see behind the scenes of NBA All-Star 2023 and serve in a variety of roles across NBA league office departments. The selected interns are current students at Clark Atlanta University, Spelman College, Xavier University of Louisiana, Winston Salem State University, Howard University, Hampton University, Morehouse University, Southern University A&M, North Carolina A&T State University, and Morgan State University.
NBA All-Star HBCU Student Art Showcase
The NBA commissioned eight HBCU student artists to create original art compositions centered around the cross-section of their HBCU experience and sports. Selected artists will have their personal profile and artwork included on event collateral, promotional materials, and various social/digital assets and art will be displayed in NBA All-Star event venues throughout the weekend including at Vivint Arena, the Huntsman Center, NBA House, and more.
AT&T Rising Future Makers
AT&T is committed to providing its AT&T Rising Future Makers with connections and opportunities to reach their dreams and ambitions. As part of the Classic, AT&T will host its 2022 Rising Future Makers Sárah “Lee” Buckner from Hampton University, Rachel Motley from Howard University, and Jaivien Kendrick from Bowie State University during the game.
The Grambling State Tigers and Southern Jaguars faced off earlier this year on Jan. 14 at Grambling where the Jaguars defeated the Tigers 81-73. Currently, in the Southwestern Athletic Conference, their records are 7-3 and 8-2, respectively. Since 1986 against each other, Southern has 46 wins over Grambling State’s 28. Tickets for the NBA HBCU Classic 2023 are currently available at NBAEvents.com and through the NBA Events App, which can be downloaded in the Apple Store or Google Play Store.
"This is just an opportunity to show the world what HBCUs are all about through this basketball game." 🗣@theswac Commissioner Dr. Charles McClelland joins NBA TV ahead of the 2023 NBA HBCU Classic! pic.twitter.com/DmzySTRELF
— NBA TV (@NBATV) February 14, 2023
