CHRIS PAUL AND NAISMITH BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME TEAM UP TO HOST HBCU TIP-OFF AND CHALLENGE

- Events to Take Place on November 18-19 and December 16-17 -

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 November 18-19 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, and the HBCU Challenge will be held December 16-17 at Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

 

 

 

 

“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, September 8.

Mohegan Sun Event Direct Ticket Links:

11/18 - https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/1D005E9CDA483953

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

Las Vegas Event Direct Ticket Link:

12/16-17 - http://www.axs.com/series/19281/chris-paul-hbcu-challenge-michelob-ultra-arena- tickets?skin=michelobultra

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

 

 

Quotes from Participating Head Coaches

"We are extremely excited to be participating in the 2023 Chris Paul HBCU Tip-Off Tournament this upcoming season. We are honored to be able to represent Tuskegee University on a national stage, along with being involved in such a strong field of competition. We look forward to the early season test and appreciate everyone involved for the opportunity." – Benjy Taylor, Tuskegee

“It's an honor to be invited to the Chris Paul CP3 Tournament for the third straight time. I just want to thank Chris Paul and his foundation for giving Virginia Union Men’s Basketball the opportunity to showcase our talent on a big stage against some of the top HBCUs in the country. We are excited about defending our crown." – Jay Butler, Virginia Union

"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 events in the country! 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!" – Cleo Hill, Jr., Winston-Salem State

"We are excited and really looking forward to participating in this year's event. The HBCU Tip-Off is such a first-class tournament with national exposure. The opportunity for our team to come together and work toward a common goal on such a grand stage means a great deal to our players, coaching staff, athletic program, and university as a whole." – Gregory Smith, Cheyney University

“We’re excited to compete in this year’s event. Chris Paul has done a tremendous job in giving HBCUs an opportunity to showcase their talents in front of fans, pro scouts, and more. Coming off a MEAC Championship season, we can't think of a better platform to continue to show the world what makes The Dream Factory so special both on and off the floor. We’re honored to represent Howard University in Las Vegas, and we would like to thank Chris and the official sponsors of the event for the invitation." – Kenneth Blakeney, Howard

“We are excited to be selected to play in this showcase and provide our student-athletes with this incredible experience. The games will be extremely competitive and will prepare our team for a championship-caliber season.” – Mo Williams, Jackson State

"It's an honor to compete in the 2023 Chris Paul HBCU Challenge once again. Everything from the quality of competition, amenities provided and national exposure gained from the event was first class. Our team cherished the experience last season and looks forward to the 2023 Challenge." – Johnny Jones, Texas Southern

“We are very excited to once again be a part of the Chris Paul HBCU Challenge. With all the hard work that Chris Paul is doing to help and highlight Historically Black Colleges, it is very meaningful for NC A&T to be able to play a role in those efforts.” – Monté Ross, North Carolina A&T State

 

About Chris Paul

Chris Paul is a twelve-time NBA All-Star and two-time Olympic Gold medalist. He was recently named to the NBA’s 75th Anniversary team as one of the 75 greatest players in NBA history. In 2021, Paul became the first player in league history to record 20,000 points and 10,000 assists in their career. He ranks third on the NBA all-time career assists list. This season, Paul will be playing with the Golden State Warriors and has previously played with the Phoenix Suns, Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers, and New Orleans Hornets. Off the court, he’s a father, husband, entrepreneur, activist, author, and philanthropist. He served as the former President of the National Basketball Players Association from 2013 until 2021. Paul is a minority owner of the Indian Premier League's Rajasthan Royals and the Winston-Salem Dash in his home state of North Carolina, as well as the owner of the CP3 Basketball Academy. His production company, Ohh Dip!!! Productions, creates content across multiple platforms, and Paul has executive produced projects including Chapter 3, Crossroads, The Game Changers, Blackballed, Why Not Us: NC Central Men’s Basketball, The Day Sports Stood Still, American Sole, Why Not Us: FAMU Football, Why Not Us: Southern Dance, PlayersTV’s Front Office, Playdate, and 61. His recent New York Times best-selling memoir, Sixty-One: Life Lessons from Papa, On and Off the Court, is a powerful and unexpected memoir of family, faith, tragedy, and life's most important lessons. The Chris Paul Family Foundation continues to provide resources that enrich and strengthen underserved communities across the country. Paul co-launched the Social Change Fund United dedicated to investing in and supporting organizations focused on empowering communities of color and advocating for the human rights of all black lives. He serves on President Joe Biden's advisory board on Historically Black Colleges and Universities. His philanthropic efforts have earned him the 2016 ESPYs “Humanitarian of the Year” award, the 2016 Mannie Jackson Human Spirit Award, the NBA Community Assist Award five times, and was the first recipient of the Kobe and Gigi Bryant Advocacy Award for his significant contributions to the advancement of girls' and women's basketball, and advocacy for the WNBA.

 

About the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame

Located in Springfield, Mass., the city where basketball was born, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame is an independent non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting, preserving, and celebrating the game of basketball at every level – men and women, amateur and professional players, coaches, and contributors, both domestically and internationally. The Hall of Fame museum is home to more than 400 inductees and over 40,000 square feet of basketball history. Nearly 200,000 people visit the Hall of Fame museum each year to learn about the game, experience the interactive exhibits, and test their skills on the Jerry Colangelo "Court of Dreams." Best known for its annual marquee Enshrinement Ceremony honoring the game’s elite, the Hall of Fame also operates over 70 high school and collegiate competitions annually throughout the country and abroad. For more information on the Basketball Hall of Fame organization, its museum and events, visit hoophall.com, follow @hoophallU or call 1-877-4HOOPLA.