Howard University and Tennessee State University will meet in the 2027 NBA HBCU Classic, the league announced Tuesday. The game is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 20 as part of NBA All-Star 2027 festivities in Phoenix.
The matchup will be played at Hardwood Central within Jam Session at the Phoenix Convention Center. ESPN and NBA TV will broadcast the game at 12 p.m. MT, giving both programs a national audience during All-Star weekend.
The Main Development
Tennessee State will make its first appearance in the NBA HBCU Classic, while Howard returns for a second trip after winning the inaugural event in 2022. The event is presented by AT&T, a partnership that has anchored the Classic since its launch.
Mark Tatum, NBA deputy commissioner and chief operating officer, said the two programs bring deep ties to the sport. “Howard University and Tennessee State University have longstanding connections to the NBA and basketball traditions that span generations,” Tatum said.
What It Means
Beyond the game itself, the NBA and AT&T will jointly donate $50,000 each to Howard and Tennessee State. The financial commitment is part of a broader effort the league has described as supporting HBCUs through its All-Star platform rather than treating the Classic as a standalone exhibition.
Howard men’s basketball head coach Kenny Blakeney called the invitation meaningful for a program making its second appearance. “It is an honor for Howard University to participate in NBA All-Star Weekend for the second time,” Blakeney said. “We are grateful to the NBA for creating a platform that celebrates HBCUs and connects our students with a global audience.”
Tennessee State coach Nolan Smith framed the opportunity in similar terms for a program making its Classic debut. “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.”
Context: The HBCU Classic Initiative
The NBA has described the HBCU Classic as part of its commitment to increasing support and awareness for historically Black colleges and universities, with a stated goal of advancing educational, career and economic opportunities tied to those institutions. Since 2021, the NBA family has contributed more than $5.8 million to HBCU institutions, partners and scholarships, according to the league’s announcement on NBA.com.
Howard’s win in the 2022 inaugural Classic remains the program’s lone appearance before this year’s rematch opportunity. Tennessee State enters as a newcomer to the event, joining the rotation of HBCU programs the league has featured during All-Star weekend.
What’s Next
The 2027 NBA HBCU Classic tips off Saturday, Feb. 20 at Hardwood Central inside Jam Session at the Phoenix Convention Center, with coverage on ESPN and NBA TV at 12 p.m. MT. The game sits alongside the rest of NBA All-Star 2027 programming in Phoenix, which has also featured ticket-related storylines this season, including Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton purchasing tickets for Iowa State students to attend a Pacers game, according to ESPN.
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