2021 NBA All-Star Game to Feature HBCU-Themed Court
March 4, 2021
The 2021 NBA All-Star Game will feature a court designed to honor historically black colleges and universities:
NBA @NBA#NBAAllStar 2021 Game Court 🌟 The court represents both the academic significance, as well as the incredible pride & school spirit of HBCUs & their students. Created with HBCU alumni, it incorporates icons representing the best of HBCU academics, music and campus life. https://t.co/Hz3UgyHH1D
The league has committed $3 million to help HBCU programs through the All-Star festivities, with the two teams playing for the Thurgood Marshall College Fund and United Negro College Fund, per Rachel Nichols of ESPN.
The Grambling and Florida A&M marching bands will take part in introductions, while HBCU alumni and students will be among the fans watching the game.
Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports reported the three officials for the game, Tom Washington, Courtney Kirkland and Tony Brown, are all HBCU grads.
Former Tennessee State star Robert Covington is the lone HBCU grad in the NBA and set to compete in the Skills Challenge on Sunday.