By Alexis Clark
To see all-star celebrities like former NBA player Anfernee ‘Penny’ Hardaway, former WNBA player Dawn Evans and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, a TSU alum who spent 12 seasons in the NFL, gear up in TSU apparel to support the university was a priceless moment for many fans in attendance.
Tennessee State University Basketball hosted the Deserve To Win All-Star Celebrity Weekend on June 25 at the Gentry Center Complex. The event benefited TSU basketball and brought out more than 4,000 attendees.
“You can’t even put a price tag on what that means for our program moving forward,” said Brian “Penny” Collins, head coach of the TSU men’s basketball program. “I was just proud.”
Hardaway, who is currently University of Memphis Tigers basketball coach, said the experience of participating in the all-star game was great because the ultimate win is the university and the men and women’s basketball program.
“To come down and support … to help an HBCU, that’s beautiful,” Hardaway said, noting that he will be back for next year’s celebrity game as well.
“I am going to make time to come back because I want to be able to support TSU.”
Local celebrities, professional athletes, musicians, politicians, and TSU alums were in the building cheering on their favorite athletes who played on teams “Music City” vs “Team 615.
Team 615 won the game in overtime with a final score of 115-113.
As fans swarmed the basketball court after the game to grab photos and autographs from the All-stars, Collins said he looks forward to receiving the same support and energy for the upcoming TSU basketball season.
Here’s a list of the All-Star participates and celebrity coaches:
Team 615
- Jordan Bone
- Patrick Miller
- Le’Jzae Davison
- Judge Rachel Bell Auburn
- Christian Mekowulu
- Josh Malone
- Domonique Rodgers Cromartie
- Lachavious Simmons
- Dontae’ Jones
Celebrity Coaches: Dubba-AA and Josh Cooperwood Sr.
Team Music City:
- Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway
- Dawn Evans
- A.J Merriweather
- Jauan Jennings
- Whitney MeiHwa
- Ian Clark
- D.J Wootson
- Starlito
- James Shaw
- Jacob Phillips
- Shaq Mason
- MyCole Pruitt
Celebrity Coaches: Meghan Triplett and Robert Higgins
