The University of South Carolina will welcome three historic HBCU programs — Tennessee State, Alabama A&M and NC Central — to its Colonial Life Arena for the first ever PowHER Player Classic, scheduled for November 28‑29.
Coach Dawn Staley, who has helmed the Gamecocks for nearly two decades, has made a point of integrating at least one regular‑season matchup against an HBCU into 15 of her 18 seasons in Columbia, a commitment that reflects both respect for the competition and a desire to broaden exposure for these institutions.
The brainchild of the event, sports media firm Rae Rose Media, was first announced in late July and has secured the venue and promotional support needed to showcase the tournament as a marquee early‑season attraction.
A Milestone for HBCU Basketball
Staley’s long‑standing relationships with the participating schools run deep; Olivia Gaines, now head coach at NC Central, previously played under Staley at Temple, while Candice Dupree, who once coached Tennessee State, also wore a Temple jersey during her playing days.
In a recent interview, Staley said she believes the growing success of HBCU teams in national tournaments will force the wider basketball community to recognize the quality of coaching and talent that emerges from these programs.
Beyond the scoreboard, the Classic is framed as a step toward closing opportunity gaps for young women in basketball, offering visibility, recruitment pathways and financial support that have historically been uneven across the sport.