By T. Scott Boatright
A Bayou Hoops Classic in the Mormon State — Utah might never be the same again.
But somehow, in a strange way, it all fits for a state that’s home to the NBA Utah Jazz.
Grambling State University threw a Mardi Gras-like party Friday morning in the Black and Gold Room of the Favrot Student Union to watch the Southwestern Athletic Conference’s Virtual Basketball Media Day as it was announced that the Tigers’ men’s basketball team will take on Southern in the HBCU Classic as part of the NBA All-Star Weekend to be held at 4 p.m. Feb. 28 at the University of Utah’s Jon M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City.
This will be the second HBCU Classic held as part of NBA All-Star Game festivities. Howard defeated Morgan State 68-66 in last year’s inaugural event held in Cleveland.
After the SWAC Virtual Media Day steaming began with announcement of predicted finishes and the Preseason All-SWAC First- and Second-Team selections,, NBA Deputy Commissioner Art Tatum appeared onscreen and made the announcement that Grambling and Southern would be participating in the second NBA HBCU Classic as the crowd in the Black and Gold Room erupted into applause and a second-line celebration.
“We are extremely excited and honored to represent Grambling State University at the NBA HBCU Classic,” said Grambling Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Trayvean Scott. “Grambling State is an iconic name brand. We knew when this opportunity was presented to us, it was the right decision to not only bring SWAC basketball to the NBA All-Star, but to continue to bring awareness and increased support to HBCU athletics.”
GSU head men’s basketball coach Deonte Jackson said the opportunity is more than significant for his Tigers.
“It’s incredible,” Jackson said. “To play Southern in Utah will be incredible for our student athletes, incredible for our coaches and incredible for our Grambling State community.
“To go out there and compete on a national stage is so exciting. It just helps us keep expanding the Grambling brand nationally.”
Scott expanded on that importance of increasing brand recognition for “The G.”
“It’s huge,” Scott said. “You get three-and-a-half to four million TV viewers (for the football Bayou Classic) in November to another 10 or 12 (million) internationally for the NBA All-Star weekend. To bring the notoriety of what is known as ‘The Grambling State University’ to this kind of platform is good for these student athletes, who not only get the opportunity to meet NBA basketball players on such a big stage but to also to be able to network with NBA executives in their quest to figure out what they’re going to do with their lives after basketball is huge.
“It’s a big deal for us — for Grambling. And it’s a heartwarming moment for me as a former men’s basketball player to get this rare opportunity.”
Scott then dug a little deeper into the significance of that opportunity.
“When you look at it from a holistic view, sometimes sports is the vehicle heading to a lot of experiences for students who haven’t had those experiences,” Scott said.
“Things like making that long trip on an airplane. Going to NBA All-Star games and seeing that collection of talent that is part of the NBA All-Star Weekend. I’m so excited about the opportunity, but even more excited about those students and everything that they’ll take away from this experience.”
NBA legends Bob Love (Southern alum) and Willis Reed (Grambling State alum) have been named honorary captains of the 2023 NBA HBCU Classic. Love and Reed will represent their alma maters leading up to the game.
“I credit my career in part to my time at Grambling State,” Reed said. “The HBCU Classic will provide what is to most a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play on the NBA stage and serve as a platform for those interested in the business side of the game to gain industry insight and make lasting connections.”
Grambling State received 150 points and were predicted to finish sixth in the SWAC’s preseason predicted order of finish. Texas Southern, with 14 first-place votes and 258 total points, was selected first.
Alcorn State (two first-place votes and 231 points, the defending regular season champions, was second, followed by Southern (three first-place votes and 215 points) and Florida A&M (164 points). Jackson State (149 points), Bethune-Cookman (132), Alabama A&M (116), Alabama State (99), Arkansas-Pine Bluff (76) and Mississippi Valley State (32) rounded out the predicted order of finish.
Grambling State opens the 2022-2023 season with back-to-back home games, starting on Nov. 7 against UNT Dallas. The Tigers conclude the short two-game homestead on Nov. 11 versus Pac-12 member Colorado at the Fredrick C. Hobdy Assembly Center.
GSU senior guard Cameron Christon was named to the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Preseason First Team
Christon, who was an All-SWAC Second Team selection last season, averaged 13.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.5 blocks in 29 games played. He averaged 28.0 minutes per game, where he shot 43 percent from the field, including 40 percent from behind the three-point arc, and 80 percent from the free-throw line.
Joining Christon on the All-SWAC Preseason First Team was Bethune-Cookman’s Joe French, Southern’s Tyrone Lyons, Alabama A&M’s Garrett Hicks and Karl Nicholas from Texas Southern.
French was tabbed the SWAC’s Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, while Nicholas was chosen the conference’s defensive player of the year.
