Andrew Pace
Basketball is one of the most popular sports at HBCUs, with a rich history of HBCU basketballers making it to the NBA. HBCUs are broken up into Divisions 1 and 2, with conferences including MEAC, SWAC, SIAC, CIAA, and GCAC. While HBCUs are present in Division 1 basketball, none are D1 in football. The MEAC consists of seven HBCUs that participate in the NCAA Division I, while the SWAC consists of 12 institutions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of HBCU Athletic Conferences | 5 |
| Conferences | Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC), Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC) |
| Number of HBCUs in Division 1 | 19 |
| Number of HBCUs in MEAC | 7 |
| Number of HBCUs in SWAC | 12 |
| Number of HBCUs in SIAC | 15 |
| Number of HBCUs in CIAA | 13 |
| HBCUs that are Division 1 FCS level | Jackson State, North Carolina Central University, NC A&T, Morehouse, Clark Atlanta, Norfolk State University, Tennessee State, Morgan State |
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What You'll Learn
HBCU conferences in Division 1 basketball
HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) have a rich history of athletic excellence and achievement, with basketball being no exception. HBCU basketball teams have been competing and excelling for decades, with some of the earliest Black athletes in the sport hailing from HBCUs.
When it comes to HBCU conferences in Division 1 basketball, there are several notable conferences and athletic associations. One of the well-known conferences is the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), which was founded in 1970. The MEAC encompasses Division 1 HBCUs along the eastern seaboard, from Delaware to South Carolina, including Howard University in Washington, D.C. It sponsors 15 Division I (FCS) sports, including men's and women's basketball, and its basketball conference tournaments are highly anticipated events.
Another HBCU conference with a strong basketball presence is the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC). The SWAC was formed in 1920 with six Texas Black colleges and has since expanded. The SWAC champions in baseball receive an automatic bid to the NCAA Division 1 championships, showcasing their success in this division.
The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (CIAA), founded in 1912, is the oldest HBCU circuit and currently competes in Division 2. While the CIAA has dropped baseball as a conference sport, its men's basketball conference tournament is a major attraction, drawing over 100,000 fans annually.
Additionally, the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) is a longstanding rival of the CIAA and consistently leads in NCAA Division 2 football attendance. The SIAC is also present in Division 1, as its baseball champion earns a spot in the Division 2 championship.
In terms of athletic associations, the HBCU Athletic Conference (HBCUAC), formerly known as the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC), has a strong HBCU membership. The HBCUAC currently has 15 full members, mostly private schools, and offers various sports, including basketball.
These conferences and athletic associations showcase the competitive spirit and excellence of HBCU basketball teams in Division 1, fostering a vibrant and passionate community around their athletic programs.
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HBCU basketball teams in the NCAA tournament's round of 64
HBCUs, or Historically Black Colleges and Universities, have a rich athletic tradition, with basketball being a prominent sport. HBCU basketball teams have participated in the NCAA tournaments, with a notable presence in the round of 64.
In 1985, North Carolina A&T and Southern made history as the first HBCUs to compete in the DI men's basketball tournament's round of 64. Since then, HBCU men's basketball programs have had a significant impact on the March Madness bracket. Texas Southern holds the record for the most round of 64 appearances, although they are yet to secure a win. Grambling State made its debut in the round of 64 during the 2024 season, showcasing the continued participation of HBCUs.
The success of HBCU women's basketball teams in the NCAA tournaments cannot be overlooked. Cheyney, South Carolina State, Howard, and Southern have all won tournament games. Notably, Cheyney is the only HBCU women's team to advance to the Final Four or title game. HBCUs have often been seeded towards the bottom of the bracket in the Round of 64, with the 16th seed being the most common. However, they have risen to the challenge and continue to make their mark in the tournaments.
When discussing HBCU basketball conferences, it's important to mention the five traditional HBCU conferences. The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) is the original Division 1 conference, along with the Ivy League and the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). These conferences do not compete in the NCAA Football Championship but instead have their own rivalries and competitions. The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) and the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) are also prominent HBCU conferences, competing in NCAA Division 2.
In summary, HBCU basketball teams have left their mark on the NCAA tournaments, particularly in the round of 64. With a strong athletic tradition, HBCUs continue to make their presence known in the world of college basketball, breaking barriers and achieving success.
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HBCU basketballers who have gone to the NBA
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have a rich athletic tradition, with basketball being a prominent sport. HBCU basketball teams compete in various conferences, such as the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC), and Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA). While the focus is on HBCU basketball players who have made it to the NBA, it's worth noting that HBCUs have a strong presence in Division I basketball.
Since the NBA's inception, 351 HBCU men's basketball players have been drafted, with West Virginia State's Earl Lloyd, drafted in 1950, being the first. Lloyd also became the first African-American player to play in an NBA game. Since the NBA draft was shortened to two rounds in 1989, only 18 HBCU players have been selected, with 21 HBCU players being first-round selections overall.
Some notable HBCU basketball players who have gone on to successful NBA careers include:
- Robert Covington: Tennessee State University alum, currently playing for the Minnesota Timberwolves. Covington is the only HBCU graduate currently in the league.
- Kyle O'Quinn: Star player from Norfolk State University, who played for the Orlando Magic, New York Knicks, and is currently with the Indiana Pacers.
- Charles Oakley: Drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 1985 and later traded to the Chicago Bulls. Oakley was an integral part of the New York Knicks' success, helping them reach the NBA Finals in 1994.
- Willis Reed: Grambling State University alum who led the New York Knicks to their most recent title in 1973. A highly successful player, Reed averaged 18.78 points and 15.2 rebounds over his career.
- Earl Monroe: Monroe's exceptional skills earned him the No. 2 pick in the 1967 NBA Draft by the Baltimore Bullets. He later joined the New York Knicks, where he won a championship in 1973 alongside fellow HBCU graduates Willis Reed and Dick Barnett.
While the number of players from HBCUs in the NBA has decreased in recent years, these institutions continue to produce talented basketball players who make their mark in the league.
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HBCU schools that are FCS level
HBCUs, or Historically Black Colleges and Universities, have a long history in the United States, with the first football game between HBCU schools played in 1892. Over the years, HBCUs have faced challenges due to segregation but have also seen successes, with many now competing within the framework of NCAA and NAIA competitions.
When it comes to HBCU schools that are FCS level, several institutions stand out. North Carolina A&T, for example, has a strong record, with their only FCS losses coming against highly competitive opponents. Jackson State University is another top-performing HBCU, leading in attendance numbers and excelling on the football field, as evidenced by their victory over North Carolina Central in the 2022 Celebration Bowl.
Florida A&M University is also notable, claiming the top spot in the 2023 HBCU football power rankings and showcasing their prowess in the Celebration Bowl. Alabama State has consistently ranked among the top five in FCS attendance, and their football team has achieved impressive results, including a victory over Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
Other HBCU schools that are part of the FCS landscape include Delaware State University, Tennessee State University, Southern University, Prairie View A&M University, and Grambling State University. These institutions have had varying levels of success on the football field, with Tennessee State, for instance, closing out the 2023 season with three straight losses but still earning a spot in the top 10.
The HBCU football scene continues to thrive, drawing passionate fan bases and producing thrilling matchups, with schools competing at the FCS level and leaving a lasting impact on the sport.
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HBCU basketball teams in Division 2
HBCUs, or Historically Black Colleges and Universities, have a rich athletic tradition, with basketball being a prominent sport. While some HBCU basketball teams compete in Division 1, there are also several HBCUs that field teams in Division 2.
The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) is one such conference. It consists of 15 HBCUs that participate in the NCAA Division II level. The SIAC has a long-standing rivalry with the CIAA, another Division 2 conference with 13 HBCU members. The CIAA's men's basketball conference tournament is particularly popular, drawing over 100,000 fans annually.
In the 2025 postseason, HBCU men's basketball teams from the CIAA and SIAC participated in the NCAA Division II tournaments. Notable teams included Virginia State, Fayetteville State, and the Lincoln (Mo.) Blue Tigers, who received automatic qualification for the championship tournament.
While HBCUs are well-represented in Division 2 basketball, it's worth noting that some sources indicate that many HBCUs are considered Division 1 in basketball, though they may be FCS-level rather than FBS-level. This distinction is important, as it affects the licensing of these teams in college sports video games.
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Frequently asked questions
There are four HBCU Athletic Conferences that participate in the NCAA Division 1: Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC), and Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA).
HBCUs that are Division 1 include North Carolina Central University, North Carolina A&T, Southern, Coppin State, Hampton, Norfolk State, Texas Southern, Grambling State, and many others.
Yes, HBCU basketball teams are featured in video games.
