NEW YORK — The NBA today announced that the 2026 NBA HBCU Classic presented by AT&T featuring the Hampton University Pirates and North Carolina A&T Aggies men’s basketball teams will take place on Friday, Feb. 13, during NBA All-Star 2026 in Los Angeles. The Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) matchup will be played in the Kia Forum in Inglewood at 8 p.m. PT as part of the fifth NBA HBCU Classic presented by AT&T.
“Hampton University and North Carolina A&T State University are two premier HBCU institutions with a historic rivalry that represents the pride, tradition and excellence of HBCU basketball,” said NBA Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer Mark Tatum. “We look forward to hosting both teams in Los Angeles as part of NBA All-Star 2026 and celebrating the culture and competition of these two storied programs.”
The 2026 NBA HBCU Classic presented by AT&T is a continuation of the NBA’s commitment to increasing support and awareness for athletics and advancing educational, career and economic opportunities in partnership with HBCUs. The NBA and AT&T will jointly donate
$100,000 to Hampton University and $100,000 to North Carolina A&T State University. Since 2021, when the NBA expanded its commitment to HBCUs, the NBA family has contributed more than $5.5 million to HBCU institutions, partners and scholarships.
“The CAA is excited to partner with the NBA in showcasing the Hampton and North Carolina A&T men’s basketball programs in a conference matchup set to take place in the NBA HBCU Classic,” said CAA Commissioner Joe D’Antonio. “The NBA has been a consistent supporter in bringing elevated exposure to HBCUs. The ability to work with the world’s premier organization for basketball is an incredible opportunity that aligns with the core values of the Conference and its membership in maintaining the importance of being ‘United in Excellence’. We are eager to see two of our institutions shine at NBA All-Star 2026 in February.”
“We are incredibly honored and excited for Hampton Men’s Basketball to participate in the 2026 NBA HBCU Classic during NBA All-Star 2026 in Los Angeles,” said Hampton University
Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Anthony D. Henderson, Sr. “This is not only a tremendous opportunity for two historic institutions to showcase the talent, tradition, and excellence of our student-athletes on a national stage, but also a celebration of the rich legacy of Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Thank you to the NBA and the CAA for this unbelievable opportunity as we look forward to bringing Pirate pride to the West Coast and providing a once- in-a-lifetime experience for our student-athletes.”
“North Carolina A&T State University looks forward to taking our wonderful college basketball rivalry with Hampton University, steeped with rich history of both historically black institutions, and showcase it to the world at the 2026 NBA HBCU Classic during NBA All-Star 2026 in Los Angeles,” said North Carolina A&T State University Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, Earl Hilton III. “Both schools have produced quality student-athletes from Al Attles to Rick Mahorn and have shaped American history with such prominent figures as the A&T Four and Booker T. Washington. Therefore, it will be an honor to share this international stage with Hampton University. The NBA and the CAA have provided us with a wonderful opportunity, and Coach Ross and our student-athletes will be sure to bring Aggie Pride to LA.”
Tickets and broadcast information for the 2026 NBA HBCU Classic presented by AT&T will be available at a later date. Fans can keep up with the latest information about NBA All-Star experiences and packages by visiting https://nbaevents.nba.com/.
About the NBA
The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a global sports and media organization with the mission to inspire and connect people everywhere through the power of basketball. Built around five professional sports leagues: the NBA, WNBA, NBA G League, NBA 2K League and Basketball Africa League, the NBA has established a major international presence with games and programming available in 214 countries and territories in 60 languages, and merchandise for sale in more than 200 countries and territories on all seven continents. NBA rosters at the start of the 2024-25 season featured a record-tying 125 international players from a record-tying 43 countries. NBA Digital’s assets include NBA TV, NBA.com, the NBA App and NBA League Pass. The NBA has created one of the largest social media communities in the world, with more than 2.5 billion likes and followers globally across all leagues, team and player platforms. NBA Cares, the NBA’s global social responsibility platform, partners with renowned community- based organizations around the world to address important social issues in the areas of education, inclusion, youth and family development, and health and wellness.
About the CAA
Headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, the CAA has 13 full members located along the East Coast from Boston to Charleston, S.C. The conference sponsors 24 sports and has produced 17 national team champions in four different sports, 33 individual national champions, 15 national players of the year, 15 national coaches of the year, and 13 winners of the Honda Award. For more information, visit www.caasports.com or follow CAASports on X, Instagram and Facebook.
About Hampton University Athletics
Hampton University Athletics is dedicated to elevating the student-athlete experience through a comprehensive focus on academic achievement, athletic performance, personal development, and state-of-the-art facilities. The department is actively enhancing its support systems by expanding academic resources, strengthening mental health services, and investing in advanced sports medicine and performance programs.
Significant improvements are underway across all 17 athletic programs, including facility upgrades, modernized locker rooms, and enhanced weight training and medical treatment areas. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to create an environment where student-athletes can thrive both on and off the field.
Academic excellence remains a top priority. The University has reinforced its academic support offerings, including tutoring, mentoring, and career development workshops. The Student- Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) plays a vital role in promoting a culture of scholastic achievement. Hampton University student-athletes are held to high academic standards and consistently demonstrate pride in their classroom performance.
Wellness and personal growth are also central to the student-athlete experience. The University has broadened its focus on health and nutrition, enhanced mental health resources, and introduced new leadership development initiatives. A stronger alumni network further supports career placement and professional growth for student-athletes beyond graduation.
Through these efforts, Hampton University Athletics remains committed to providing its student- athletes with the tools, resources, and opportunities necessary to succeed academically, athletically, and personally.
About North Carolina A&T State Athletics
Consistent with the mission statement of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, the North Carolina A&T Department of Intercollegiate Athletics looks to provide an intellectual environment where students develop a sense of identification, belonging, responsibility, and achievement that prepares them for leadership and service in regional, national and global communities. The Department of Athletics provides a comprehensive program of intercollegiate competition as an integral part of the total educational experience for all students by supporting 17 varsity teams.
Embracing the principles of competitive excellence, sportsmanship, diversity, ethical conduct, and amateurism while facilitating the academic objectives of the student-athletes, the department complies with all conference and association rules and regulations and ensures equal opportunity and access for all students and staff who desire to associate with intercollegiate athletics without regard for race, color, national origin, gender, age, disability, or religion.
