WS Chronicle

SPRINGFIELD, Mass.  – The Chris Paul Family Foundation and Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame announced the third annual circuit of two Historically Black College and University (HBCU) events, the HBCU Tip-Off and Challenge, presented by the AEA Foundation.

The HBCU Tip-Off will take place Nov. 18-19 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, and the HBCU Challenge will be held Dec. 16-17 at Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

The Winston-Salem State University men’s basketball team will take on Tuskegee on Saturday, Nov. 18.

“We are so excited to be invited back to Connecticut to participate in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame/Chris Paul Family Foundation Tournament! It clearly is one of the best, if not the best, non-conference event in the country,” said head coach Cleo Hill, Jr.

 “The Hall of Fame and the Paul family do an excellent job accommodating the teams, and the facilities are second to none. It is one of the greatest experiences that we can provide for our student-athletes in their college careers! Our Ramily Alums will be there to support us as well. This is not an event that you want to miss. This year’s competition will be filled with historic institutions/basketball programs! Tuskegee has its own rich tradition with its institutions/program and the Wolves, Panthers, and Rams all have great institutions and national championships under their belts. It will be a great show!”

HBCU TIP OFF (Uncasville, Conn.)

Saturday, Nov. 18

5:30 p.m. ET – Cheyney vs. Virginia Union

8:00 p.m. ET – Tuskegee vs. Winston-Salem State

Sunday, Nov. 19

6:00 p.m. ET – Consolation

8:30 p.m. ET – Championship

“As an HBCU graduate himself, Chris Paul has long been a prominent voice for the empowerment of HBCU athletes,” said John L. Doleva, president and CEO of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. “The Hall of Fame is honored to work alongside Chris to create opportunities for these student-athletes, and we look forward to watching them play in two competitive weekends of basketball.”

Paul, an active philanthropist and entrepreneur, has actively supported HBCUs for years. He currently serves on President Joe Biden’s advisory board on Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Paul executive produced “Why Not Us: North Carolina Central Basketball,” “Why Not Us: FAMU Football,” and “Why Not Us: Southern Dance” on ESPN+. 

In addition, Paul partnered with Harvard Business School to bring its Entertainment, Media and Sports program to select HBCUs to develop a pipeline for students pursuing careers in those industries. He launched HBCU voting initiatives to encourage students to vote during the past election and partnered with Sour Patch Kids and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund to create The Mischief for Change Scholarship, a college scholarship fund with a $1 million commitment over the next five years for students attending HBCUs. In 2022, Paul graduated with a degree from Winston-Salem State University.

“We are looking forward to the third year of our HBCU events,” said Paul. “These events present a unique opportunity for student-athletes to play on a national stage. I’m excited to collaborate with the Basketball 

Hall of Fame, Mohegan Sun, and MGM Resorts and am grateful to all of our partners for their commitment to HBCU schools and athletes in partnership with this event.”

Tickets for the 2023 Chris Paul HBCU Tip-Off and HBCU Challenge will both go on sale on Friday, Sept. 8.

Mohegan Sun Event Direct Ticket Links: 11/18 – https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/1D005E9CDA483953.

11/19 – https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/1D005E9CD94E3927.

Game times and television broadcast details will be released at a later date. For more information, please visit hoophall.com.