HBCU All-Star Weekend 2025: A Celebration of Basketball, Culture, and Legacy

As a proud HBCU graduate, I know firsthand that Historically Black Colleges and Universities are more than just institutions of higher learning—they are cultural hubs, breeding grounds for Black excellence, and keepers of a rich legacy that spans generations. This year, the 4th Annual HBCU All-Star Basketball Game, set for April 6, 2025, at Freeman Coliseum in San Antonio, Texas, is more than just a game; it’s a testament to the talent, perseverance, and legacy of HBCU student-athletes.

And for the first time in history, both men’s and women’s games will be played, marking a major milestone in the event’s evolution.

A Weekend of Culture and Opportunity

While the main event tips off on Final Four Weekend, the week leading up to it is packed with activities that make this more than just a basketball showcase—it’s an experience.

        •       All-Stars Fan Fest & Business Expo (9 a.m.) – A celebration of Black entrepreneurship, networking, and business excellence.
        •       College Admissions Fair (10:30 a.m.) – Offering high school students a pathway to the HBCU experience.
        •       Greek Divine Nine Performances – A powerful display of tradition, unity, and culture.

These events highlight why HBCUs are special. It’s about community, legacy, and an unwavering commitment to uplifting future generations.

A Platform for HBCU Basketball’s Best

A total of 48 student-athletes (24 men, 24 women) from all four HBCU athletic conferences—MEAC, SWAC, SIAC, CIAA—plus Tennessee State, Hampton, and North Carolina A&T will take the court. This is a platform for these young men and women to display their skills on a national stage, with scouts from the NBA, WNBA, and overseas leagues watching closely.

This game is bigger than basketball. It’s about exposure—exposure that is often lacking for HBCU athletes compared to their counterparts at predominantly white institutions. This is about opportunity—the kind that turns a dream into a reality.

A Movement, Not Just a Moment

The HBCU All-Star Game was created by Travis L. Williams and his wife Kya Williams (HBCU All-Stars LLC CFO) in 2019 with the goal of elevating HBCU basketball to the prominence it deserves. Since the inaugural game in 2022, held during Final Four Weekend in New Orleans, the event has grown exponentially.

        •       2023 saw the game hosted on an HBCU campus for the first time ever, at Texas Southern University.
        •       2024 brought a sold-out crowd at Global Credit Union Arena in Phoenix, Arizona.
        •       2025 marks a historic step forward with the addition of a women’s game, ensuring that HBCU female athletes receive the recognition they deserve.

HBCU basketball has a deep history, producing legends like Earl Monroe, Charles Oakley, Ben Wallace, and Cynthia Cooper. Yet, even with undeniable talent, HBCU athletes often face challenges when it comes to national visibility.

This is a chance for HBCU alumni, students, and supporters to show up and show out. It’s a moment to embrace the spirit of our institutions, to honor the past while building the future.

Travis L. Williams, co-founder of HBCU All-Stars LLC, has been at the forefront of a movement dedicated to elevating Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) through basketball. Alongside Kya Williams, he established HBCU All-Stars LLC in 2019, a Black-owned sports marketing, media, and events company based in Atlanta, Georgia. Their mission is clear: to advocate, educate, expose, mentor, and invest in the talented student-athletes and coaches within the HBCU community.

Since its inception, the HBCU All-Star Game has become a premier event that not only showcases top HBCU basketball talent but also provides exposure and professional opportunities for student-athletes and coaches. The event serves as a platform for NBA and overseas scouts, while also celebrating the culture, history, and excellence of HBCUs.

In April 2022, HBCU All-Stars LLC made history by hosting the first-ever HBCU All-Star Game during Final Four Weekend at the University of New Orleans Lakefront Arena. The event was a groundbreaking moment for HBCU athletics, putting top-tier players on a national stage.

The following year, in April 2023, history was made again when the second annual HBCU All-Star Game was held on an HBCU campus for the first time ever in the 40-plus-year history of the Men’s National Championship. Texas Southern University in Houston, Texas played host to this milestone event, further cementing the game’s importance in the college basketball landscape.

In 2024, the momentum continued as the HBCU All-Star Game sold out Global Credit Union Arena on the Grand Canyon University campus in Phoenix, Arizona. The sold-out crowd, national television exposure, and enthusiastic support from the HBCU community signified that this event had become a staple of college basketball’s postseason.

2025 HBCU All-Star Game: A New Chapter in San Antonio

Now entering its fourth year, the 2025 HBCU All-Star Game will take place in San Antonio, Texas, once again coinciding with Final Four Weekend. This year, HBCU All-Stars LLC and The CW network will host the event, bringing even greater exposure and accessibility to fans nationwide.

The HBCU All-Star Basketball Weekend is more than just a game. It includes community outreach, professional development programs, networking opportunities, and celebrations of HBCU culture, making it an essential event for student-athletes, alumni, and supporters.

As the game continues to grow in visibility and impact, Travis L. Williams and HBCU All-Stars LLC remain committed to their mission: ensuring that HBCU student-athletes receive the recognition, opportunities, and platforms they deserve. The 2025 event in San Antonio promises to be another historic moment in the evolution of HBCU basketball.

With tickets starting at just $28 (available via Ticketmaster), there’s no excuse not to be a part of history. Whether you’re an HBCU graduate, a current student, or simply a supporter of Black excellence, this is an event you don’t want to miss.

So, pack your bags, grab your paraphernalia, and get ready to rep your school in San Antonio on April 6, 2025. Because this isn’t just a game—it’s a movement.