NBA All-Star weekend has tipped off in Indianapolis over this weekend. The weekend is jam-packed with events and games; celebrities and many NBA players come out to enjoy the fun. The weekend is highlighted by the NBA All-Star game, NBA 3-pt Contest and the NBA Dunk Contest.
The week also includes an HBCU Classic hosted by the NBA and AT&T. The NBA HBCU Classic was held for the third time, and this year’s teams were the Winston-Salem State Rams, Stephen A. Smith, alma mater, and the Virginia Union Panthers, Basketball Hall of Famer Ben Wallace, alma mater.
The Rams defeated the Panthers 64-47 on Saturday, improving to 17-8 on the year and 10-5 in the CIAA. At one point in the game, the Rams were up 23 points, the game’s largest lead.
Winston Salem led most of the game and was led by Ketron Shaw, who ended the game with 15 points, leading all scorers. Jaylen Alston and Isaac Parson both had double-doubles, contributing to the win.
“It’s awesome, being able to come out here outside all these people,” Alston told TNT. “ We don’t see that many big crowds. A crowd like this is amazing to have.”
Thaj Harding led the Panthers in scoring with 11 points in the losing effort; the Panthers fell to an 11-17 overall record and 6-9 in their conference.
“It’s big for our school and program and for our recruiting, moving forward. I just want to thank the NBA and all those sponsors for basically allowing this event to happen,” said Virginia Union’s head coach, Jay Butler. “It is big for the HBCU community just to get this opportunity to play in front of millions on national TV.”
This event was presented by AT&T and is part of the NBA’s ongoing commitment to advancing opportunities in all fields in partnership with HBCUs.
The next game for the Winston-Salem Rams will be back in North Carolina against Shaw University on Thursday, Feb. 22.
Virginia Union’s next opponent is conference opponent Elizabeth State on Wednesday, Feb. 21st.
