Two events to take place November 15-16 and December 17-18
Springfield, Mass. – The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced today the second annual circuit of two Chris Paul HBCU events, the Boost Mobile HBCU Tip-Off and the Boost Mobile HBCU Challenge Hosted by Chris Paul.
The Boost Mobile HBCU Tip-Off will take place November 15 and 16 at Mohegan Sun Arena with four Historically Black Colleges and Universities participating. The two-day double header will feature Clark Atlanta University, Virginia Union University, Johnson C. Smith University, and Xavier University of Louisiana.
The Boost Mobile HBCU Challenge will take place December 17 and 18 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas with four HBCUs participating. The two-day double header will feature Norfolk State University, Hampton University, Texas Southern University, and North Carolina A&T State University.
“Chris Paul has been a committed supporter of HBCUs and has diligently worked to create opportunities for the student-athletes at these institutions,” said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. “The Hall of Fame is excited to build on last year’s success, and we look forward to watching both of these tournaments in an exciting two weekends of basketball.”
Paul, an active philanthropist and entrepreneur, has actively supported HBCUs for years. Teaming up with Boost Mobile, whose mission is to bring affordable wireless service to all communities, was a natural fit for Paul. He was recently appointed to President Joe Biden's advisory board on Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Paul executive produced Why Not Us: North Carolina Central Basketball and Why Not Us: FAMU Football 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. Paul is currently working towards a degree at Winston-Salem State University.
“We are so excited for the second year of our HBCU Challenge. It is great to work with our partners to give these student athletes a national stage they may not otherwise have,” said Paul. “I hope these events gives these players an experience that they’ll remember for the rest of their lives. I sincerely appreciate the collaboration of the Basketball Hall of Fame, Mohegan Sun and MGM. We love Boost Mobile as a partner because of their commitment to HBCU schools and athletes in partnership with this event.”
“At Boost Mobile, we’re always looking to align with individuals and brands that are truly making a difference for under-represented communities. This is an excellent opportunity to celebrate our love for basketball, and aligning with Chris Paul and giving HBCU student-athletes a national stage is something we are proud to a part of,” said Andrea Henderson, vice president of brand marketing, Boost Mobile. “I cannot wait to see the looks on the student-athletes faces when they get the chance to compete on this national stage. That to me will be worth it all.”
The Basketball Hall of Fame is mindful and appreciative of the contributions Black athletes, Black coaches and HBCUs have made to the game of basketball since its inception. For several years, the Hall has incorporated the Early African American Pioneers committee into its Enshrinement election process, with a mission to acknowledge and honor those who were the greatest players of their time and created opportunities for future generations. Several Hall of Fame inductees have ties to HBCUs including Nat Clifton, Xavier University of Louisiana (HOF Class of 2014); Sam Jones, North Carolina Central University (HOF Class of 1984); John McLendon, Hampton University, Tennessee State, North Carolina Central (HOF Class of 1979 & 2016); Earl Monroe, Winston-Salem State (HOF Class 1990); and Willis Reed, Grambling State (HOF Class of 1982). To learn more about some of these unique contributors to the game, tune into the Hall of Fame’s podcast titled “Liberty, Justice and Ball” which serves as a platform for Hall of Famers to share their life experiences, especially at the intersection of basketball and social justice.
The Boost Mobile Tip-Off and the Boost Mobile HBCU Challenge hosted by Chris Paul are two events in the Hall of Fame’s series of collegiate events, which continues to grow in an effort to celebrate the game outside the museum walls. The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame has collaborated with
The Chris Paul Family Foundation on these two events.
Ticket information, game times and television broadcast details will be released at a later date. For more information, please visit www.hoophall.com.
Quotes from Participating Head Coaches
“If there was one word to describe participating in the Chris Paul HBCU Hall of Fame Tip-Off Classic it would be ‘Honored’. There are so many other institutions that could have been selected but for Clark Atlanta University this is an experience that will never be forgotten. Panther Nation is excited and grateful to represent the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference in this event. Thanks again, Chris Paul and Family!!” – Bo Bivens, Clark Atlanta University
“We are excited about defending our crown next season at the Chris Paul HBCU Tip-Off Tournament. This is a first-class tournament, and we are honored to be invited back for the second year. I can’t thank Chris Paul enough giving Virginia Union University a platform to showcase our talent on a big stage.” - Lester Butler, Virginia Union University
"It is a great honor for Johnson C. Smith University to be invited to the Chris Paul HBCU Tip-Off Tournament hosted by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. This tournament will give our young players the opportunity to experience something not usually available to HBCU student-athletes and to compete on a national stage. Chris and I are from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and raised in the backyard of one of the most prestigious black college basketball powerhouses, Winston-Salem State University, which was coached by the late Clarence “Big House” Gaines and former player Earl “The Pearl’ Monroe led WSSU to an NCAA title. Both of these men are members of the Naismith Hall of Fame. This HBCU Tip-Off will increase the visibility of HBCUs and allow America to see the talent that we have on the court.” – Stephen Joyner, Sr., Johnson C. Smith University
"We are excited and flattered to be invited to join three NCAA Division II teams in the Chris Paul HBCU Tip-Off Tournament. We won an overtime thriller at Clark Atlanta in 2019, so we know how good that program is. We've never played Virginia Union or Johnson C. Smith. Our goal is to represent Xavier and the NAIA well." – Alfred Williams, Xavier University of Louisiana
“It's exciting to be back a part of the Chris Paul HBCU Challenge. Last years’ experience was amazing and first class. With this platform it will continue to shine a national light on HBCU culture, players and coaches. We can't wait to get to Vegas!” – Robert Jones, Norfolk State University
“We are proud to be a part of the CP3 HBCU Classic again. The classic was a first-class event last year presented by Chris and CJ. We were able to expose our athletes to an amazing experience while simultaneously gaining exposure for our basketball program. We are truly grateful to Chris for what he has done for Hampton University Men’s Basketball, but more importantly for the advocacy, intentionality, resources, time, and opportunities he is dedicating to the advancement of our Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).” – Edward “Buck” Joyner, Hampton University
“Texas Southern is extremely honored to be a part of the upcoming challenge. The work Chris Paul has done for HBCUs from a branding, educational and philanthropic standpoint is second-to-none. We are appreciative to be selected and will take full advantage of the opportunities from a national standpoint that will come from playing in such a prestigious event.” – Johnny Jones, Texas Southern University
"It's a great opportunity for our team and university to showcase why we are the largest and best HBCU in the world. I want to thank CP3 and the Basketball Hall of Fame for putting together such a great platform for the HBCU family.” – Will Jones, North Carolina A & T State University
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. Last year, Paul became the first player in league history to record 20,000 points and 10,000 assists in their career. He ranks third place on the NBA all-time career assists list. Paul currently plays with the Phoenix Suns and previously played with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers, and New Orleans Hornets. Off the court, he’s a father, husband, entrepreneur, activist, and philanthropist. He served as the former President of the National Basketball Players Association from 2013 until 2021. His business partnerships include the Jordan Brand, State Farm Insurance, Turner Impact Capital, Muzik, Beyond Meat, PlayersTV, goPuff, La Fête Wine Company, Watchbox, Koia, Greenfly, Misha’s Kind Foods, Life360, Uncharted Power, Goalsetter, Calm, Dibbs, MaxOne, AARMY, Oura Health, Savage X Fenty, Eastside Golf, Move, Supplant, Roots Food Group, Fanatics, Panini Cards, Bowery Farming, SV Sports, Current Foods, Slutty Vegan, Umaro Foods, and more. He recently became a minority owner of the Indian Premier League's Rajasthan Royals. In his home state of North Carolina, he is part owner of the Winston-Salem Dash and owner of the CP3 Basketball Academy. He is the co-founder of Go Hoop Day, a day for celebrating the game of basketball worldwide, and he co-hosts The Showdown, the celebrity golf showcase. 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, PlayersTV’s Front Office, Playdate, and 61. Ohh Dip!!! co-produces Bloomberg Quicktake’s How I Got Here, an in-depth weekly one-on-one interview series hosted by Paul. His upcoming 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 was recently appointed to 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, 2016 Mannie Jackson Human Spirit Award, the NBA Community Assist Award five times, and most recently the inaugural 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 Boost Mobile:
Boost Mobile provides award-winning, best-in-class value and connectivity to U.S. wireless consumers through access to the carrier’s Expanded Data Network and competitive consumer plans with no annual service contracts. In 2020, DISH became a nationwide U.S. wireless carrier through the acquisition of Boost Mobile. DISH continues to innovate in wireless, building the nation’s first virtualized, standalone 5G broadband network. DISH Wireless L.L.C. operates Boost Mobile. DISH Wireless L.L.C. is a subsidiary of DISH Network Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH). Learn more about Boost Mobile online on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.
About the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame:
Located in Springfield, Mass., the city where basketball was born, the Naismith Memorial 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 www.hoophall.com, follow @hoophall or call 1-877-4HOOPLA.