Dawn Staley, the celebrated head coach of the University of South Carolina women’s basketball team, is spearheading a groundbreaking event that could reshape the landscape of HBCU athletics. The PowHER Player Classic is slated for November 2026 and will bring together South Carolina and at least three Historically Black Colleges and Universities in a showcase that blends high‑level basketball with a marketplace for name, image and likeness opportunities.
A Tournament That Marries Competition With Commerce
Promotional material has hinted at Tennessee State, Alabama A&M and North Carolina Central as potential participants, a prospect that excites observers because Tennessee State’s head coach Candice Dupree once played under Staley at Temple University, adding a personal narrative to the matchup.
Rae Rose Media, the marketing firm behind the initiative, brings a track record of collaborating with South Carolina athletics on NIL projects, underscoring the event’s commercial ambition.
South Carolina has already demonstrated a willingness to schedule HBCU opponents, having faced three such programs last season, and the new tournament is being positioned as a platform where basketball intersects with branding and business.
While exact details — participating schools, game dates, venue and format — remain forthcoming, the organizers have promised a comprehensive announcement in the weeks ahead, signaling a meticulously planned rollout.