Kristian Ferrell
The Howard Bison men's basketball team represents Howard University in Division I of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) in Washington, DC. The team has seen some recent success, appearing in the NCAA tournament in 2024, and signing five-star recruit Makur Maker in 2020. Maker's commitment was the first successful recruitment of a major NBA prospect to an HBCU in recent history.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Team Name | Howard Bison |
| University | Howard University |
| Location | Washington, DC, United States |
| Conference | Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference |
| Division | I |
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What You'll Learn
Howard Bison men's basketball team competes in Division I
The Howard Bison men's basketball team represents Howard University in Washington, DC, and competes in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The team is currently led by head coach Kenny Blakeney.
Competing in Division I, the highest level of intercollegiate athletics sanctioned by the NCAA, the Howard Bison men's basketball team participates in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). This conference affiliation allows the team to compete against other Division I programs within the conference and establish rivalries and regular competition.
As a Division I program, the Howard Bison men's basketball team has the opportunity to qualify for the NCAA Tournament and pursue the prestigious national championship. The team most recently appeared in the NCAA tournament in 2024, showcasing their talent and competitiveness on the national stage.
Division I status brings significant exposure and recognition to the Howard Bison men's basketball team. It attracts top recruits and talented players who aspire to excel in college basketball and potentially advance to professional leagues like the NBA. The team made headlines in 2020 by securing a commitment from Makur Maker, a five-star recruit and cousin of NBA players.
The Howard Bison men's basketball team's presence in Division I also contributes to the overall athletic reputation of Howard University. It fosters a culture of excellence and competitiveness within the university's athletic program and enhances the visibility of the university in the realm of intercollegiate athletics. Division I athletics provides a platform for student-athletes to excel in both their academic pursuits and their chosen sport, offering a well-rounded collegiate experience.
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They play in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC)
The Howard Bison men's basketball team represents Howard University in Washington, DC. The team competes in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), a college athletic conference that participates in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I. The MEAC was founded in 1970 and currently comprises 11 historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) across the East Coast of the United States.
Howard University's basketball team has a rich history and has achieved notable success within the MEAC. They have consistently performed well and qualified for the MEAC tournament on multiple occasions. The team has also made appearances in the NCAA tournament, with their most recent participation being in 2024. Their performance in these tournaments showcases their competitiveness within the conference and on a national stage.
The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference fosters intense competition and a strong basketball culture among its member institutions. The MEAC tournament is a highly anticipated annual event, where the top teams within the conference face off to determine the champion. The tournament format typically involves a combination of quarterfinal, semifinal, and final rounds, with the winner earning an automatic berth to the NCAA tournament.
Being a part of the MEAC provides Howard University's basketball team with a platform to compete against other talented teams and gain exposure. The conference offers a pathway for aspiring athletes to pursue their basketball careers and potentially attract the attention of higher divisions or professional scouts. The MEAC also fosters a sense of community and camaraderie among the HBCUs, creating a unique and supportive environment for athletic excellence.
Howard Bison men's basketball has left an impact on the MEAC. Their performance has contributed to the conference's reputation and competitiveness. The team's achievements have also brought recognition to Howard University within the HBCU community and beyond. The MEAC serves as a testament to the skill, dedication, and sportsmanship of the teams and players within the conference.
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The team's head coach is Kenny Blakeney
The Howard Bison men's basketball team represents Howard University in Washington, DC. The team currently competes in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) and is classified as a Division I school.
After graduating, Blakeney began his coaching career as an assistant under Lefty Driesell at James Madison, staying for one season before moving to La Salle for another year. He then joined the staff at Delaware, where he worked from 1997 to 2001. During the 2001-02 season, he served as an assistant coach at Seton Hall before returning to Delaware. In 2011, Blakeney left coaching temporarily to work in the marketing division at Under Armour. He returned to coaching in 2018, joining the staff at Columbia before taking up his current role at Howard University.
Beyond his coaching achievements, Blakeney has been recognised for his work in raising awareness about the importance of voter engagement. He collaborated with former First Lady Michelle Obama and NBA star Chris Paul on the "When We All Vote" initiative to increase Black voter registration among young people. Blakeney also helped coordinate a virtual fundraiser to provide financial relief to families impacted by layoffs and furloughs during the COVID-19 pandemic. For his efforts, he was recognised as the Standout Collegiate Athletic Coach by the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge in 2023.
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The university received a commitment from five-star recruit Makur Maker
The Howard Bison men's basketball team represents Howard University in Washington, DC, and competes in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. The team is currently coached by Kenny Blakeney, who played as a team captain at Duke. In the summer of 2020, the university received a commitment from five-star recruit Makur Maker, a cousin of Thon Maker, a center for the Pistons, and Matur Maker. This was a significant moment for the university and HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) as Maker was the highest-ranked college basketball prospect to commit to an HBCU since the ESPN recruiting database began in 2007. Maker chose Howard over other prestigious basketball programs such as UCLA, Kentucky, and Memphis. Standing at 6 feet and 11 inches tall, Maker is a versatile player who can shoot 3-pointers, facilitate the offense, and play in the post.
Maker's commitment to Howard University was driven by his desire to "change the culture" and inspire other top basketball recruits to consider HBCUs. Prior to his commitment, Maker had been declared eligible for the 2020 NBA Draft, but he ultimately decided to pursue the college basketball route. Maker's decision to join Howard University marked a pivotal moment in the perception of HBCUs in modern basketball recruitment, challenging the traditional focus on Power Five schools as the primary pathway to professional basketball.
Makur Maker's commitment to Howard University sent a powerful message about the potential for HBCUs to attract elite basketball talent. Maker, a top-ranked prospect, became a trailblazer by choosing Howard, a historically Black college, over several prominent basketball programs. This paradigm shift not only inspired other highly rated recruits to consider HBCUs but also underscored the competitive basketball opportunities available at these institutions. Maker's decision brought attention to the talented players who could be successfully recruited by HBCUs, marking a potential turning point in the landscape of college basketball recruitment.
Maker's decision to join Howard University was influenced by his cousin, Thon Maker, who played for the Pistons, and his desire to create change. Maker's commitment sent a ripple effect through the basketball world, challenging traditional recruitment paths and opening new avenues for both players and HBCUs. While Maker's freshman season at Howard was impacted by injuries, appearing in only two games, his choice to join an HBCU left an indelible mark on the basketball community, sparking conversations about the potential for HBCUs to become prominent forces in college basketball.
Howard University's basketball team, the Bison, competes in Division I, the highest level of college sports. The team has experienced a mix of successes and challenges in recent years, including a four-win season prior to Maker's commitment. However, with the addition of talented recruits like Maker, the team aims to improve its performance and compete more vigorously in the coming seasons.
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The team's recent performance has been impacted by COVID-19-related issues
The Howard Bison men's basketball team represents Howard University in Washington, DC, and competes in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. In February 2021, the team cancelled the remainder of their season due to ongoing medical issues related to COVID-19. This decision reflects the broader impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on collegiate and professional basketball teams across the country.
The pandemic has disrupted basketball seasons through game cancellations, schedule changes, and postponed or rescheduled games. Teams have had to adapt to new safety protocols, such as practising in smaller groups and wearing masks, to mitigate the spread of the virus. These changes have created challenges for coaches and players, including a sense of disconnectedness and a lack of physical interaction.
The Howard Bison men's basketball team is not alone in facing these challenges. Other collegiate basketball teams, such as those from West Virginia, have also experienced schedule changes and game cancellations due to COVID-19 issues. The pandemic has forced teams to be flexible and adapt to the evolving situation, with the understanding that the health and safety of the players and staff take precedence.
The COVID-19 pandemic has also impacted NBA players and teams, causing disruptions to their seasons and personal lives. Players have had to self-isolate and quarantine, sometimes away from their teams, which has affected their performance and rehabilitation processes. The pandemic has highlighted the importance of adhering to health and safety protocols and taking the necessary precautions to protect oneself and others from the virus.
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Frequently asked questions
Howard University's basketball team, the Howard Bison, is in Division I. The team currently competes in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.
Howard University last appeared in the NCAA tournament in 2024.
The head coach of the Howard Bison is Kenny Blakeney.
