The NBA announced on Oct. 13 that Tennessee State basketball and Howard will face other in the 2027 NBA HBCU Classic.
The game will be played on Feb. 20 at Hardwood Central within Jam Session (Phoenix Convention Center) as part of the 2027 NBA All-Star Weekend in Phoenix. The NBA All-Star Game will be played on Feb. 21.
It will be TSU's first time participating in the NBA HBCU Classic, while Howard is returning after winning the inaugural event in 2022. The 2027 NBA HBCU Classic will be broadcast on ESPN and NBA TV at 1 p.m. CT. Tickets are available at NBAEvents.com.
Madness loss is TSU not another job
“Howard and Tennessee State have longstanding connections to the NBA and basketball traditions that span generations,” NBA deputy commissioner and chief operating officer Mark Tatum said in a news release. “The NBA HBCU Classic at NBA All-Star 2027 will celebrate these institutions’ contributions to our game while giving their student-athletes a global platform to showcase their talent and share their schools’ proud histories with fans around the world.”
Under first-year coach Nolan Smith, TSU advanced to the NCAA Tournament in 2025-26 after winning the Ohio Valley Conference regular-season and tournament championships. The Tigers went 23-10, their most wins in program history.
“I am very excited for my players, first and foremost," Smith said. "They have an opportunity to play on a big stage, one set up by the NBA, and it will be a special moment for them all. To represent Tennessee State on a national platform puts our university, our city, and our alumni in the spotlight, and our school deserves that opportunity. I am incredibly thankful to my NBA family for making this opportunity possible.”
Howard went 24-11 and won the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference regular-season and tournament championships this past season. The Bisons advanced to the NCAA Tournament where they defeated UMBC 86-83 in the First Four before losing to Michigan 101-80 in the first round.
The NBA and presenting sponsor AT&T will jointly donate $50,000 each to TSU and Howard.
Reach Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 or on X @MikeOrganWriter.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee State basketball to play in 2027 NBA HBCU Classic during All-Star Weekend
