HBCU All-Stars LLC has announced its first 2025-26 Player of the Week and Team of the Week honors, shining a spotlight on exceptional student-athletes from Historically Black Colleges and Universities across the nation. The recognition features top performers from the MEAC, SWAC, CIAA, SIAC conferences along with Tennessee State, Hampton and North Carolina A&T State Universities, with many honorees expected to showcase their skills during the 5th annual HBCU All-Star Game on April 5, 2026.
The game will take place at the Corteva Coliseum in Indianapolis during the same weekend the city hosts the NCAA Final Four Tournament, creating what promises to be college basketball’s biggest weekend. The timing offers a powerful platform for HBCU talent to shine on a national stage alongside the sport’s most prominent event.
Week one standouts across divisions
For the week of Nov. 16 through 22, several players delivered outstanding performances that earned them recognition. Bryce Harris of Howard University led the NCAA Division I MEAC honors, averaging 31 minutes per game with 23 points, 8.5 rebounds and one assist. His consistent production helped establish him as an early season standout.
Zion Obanla of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore earned recognition as the Lindsey Hunter Shooting Guard honoree, averaging 30.3 minutes per game with 17.5 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.5 assists. His well-rounded performance contributed to his team’s successful week.
The University of Maryland Eastern Shore claimed NCAA Division I MEAC Team of the Week honors after posting a 2-1 record. The team secured a road victory at Longwood University 83-82, suffered a close road loss at Canisius University 60-57, and defeated Binghamton University 63-60.
SWAC conference honors shared
The NCAA Division I SWAC recognized co-Players of the Week with Jakobi Heady of Bethune-Cookman University and Sami Pissis of Alabama A&M University both delivering impressive performances. Heady, another Lindsey Hunter Shooting Guard honoree, averaged 35 minutes per game with strong scoring and 4.5 rebounds. Pissis contributed 34 minutes per game with 19 points, three rebounds, three steals and three assists.
Both players’ teams earned co-Team of the Week recognition. Bethune-Cookman University went 1-0 for the week with a road victory at Ohio University 76-73. Alabama A&M University also posted a 1-0 record with a home win versus Lindenwood University 74-65.
North Carolina A&T State University captured the NCAA Division I Independent Team of the Week honor after securing a road win at Morgan State University 79-73.
Division II excellence recognized
The NCAA Division II CIAA honored Avery Huggins of Shaw University as Player of the Week after he averaged 30 minutes per game with 20.5 points, one steal and 2.5 assists. His performance helped Shaw University earn co-Team of the Week recognition alongside Virginia State University.
Shaw University posted a 2-0 record with road victories over Mount Olive 82-68 and Barton College 93-89. Virginia State University also went 2-0 with road wins over Chowan University 74-63 and the University of the District of Columbia 82-64.
The NCAA Division II SIAC named co-Players of the Week with Najashi Tolefree of Miles College and Kusamae Draper of Tuskegee University. Tolefree averaged 32 minutes per game with 15.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, one steal, four assists and two blocks. Draper contributed 29.5 minutes per game with 16.5 points, seven rebounds and 1.5 assists.
Miles College earned SIAC Team of the Week honors after going 2-0 with home victories over Clark Atlanta University 74-63 and Fort Valley State University 72-60.
Celebrating HBCU excellence
Travis L. Williams, HBCU All-Stars LLC Founder and CEO, expressed enthusiasm about presenting the 5th annual HBCU All-Star Game Experience in Indianapolis. The organization takes pride in the 48 outstanding teams, coaches, support staff and the nation’s top 110 HBCU players participating on the 2025-26 HBCU All-Star Game Watch List.
Along with the All-Star Game, HBCU All-Stars LLC will host a week-long festival starting Thursday, April 2. The HBCU All-Star Game Experience will feature a college admissions fair, pro day combine, welcome reception, awards ceremony, social justice and civil rights panel discussion, and various community activities designed to celebrate and support HBCU culture and athletics.
The event represents more than just a sporting competition. It serves as a movement celebrating the rich heritage, culture and athletic prowess of HBCUs while promoting educational excellence, sportsmanship and community empowerment. For students, athletes and fans, the week promises to showcase the exceptional talent thriving at Historically Black Colleges and Universities nationwide.
