NASHVILLE – The watch list for the inaugural HBCU All-Star Game, featuring 24 of the best student-athletes from MEAC, SWAC, CIAA, SIAC, Tennessee State, North Carolina A&T and Hampton was announced on Monday. The game will be played during the weekend of the Final Four at UNO Lakefront Arena in New Orleans and is scheduled to broadcast on CBS on Sunday, April 3 at 4 p.m. ET. 
 
The Tennessee State men's basketball team was represented by four student-athletes who were selected to the watch list. TSU's Kenny Cooper, Kassim Nicholson, Jalen Dupree, and Shakem Johnson were amongst the players to keep an eye on.
 
"What a blessing for us to celebrate Black culture, Black excellence, and Black history through our weeklong HBCU All Star Game Experience during Final Four Weekend in New Orleans," said HBCU All-Stars, LLC Founder/CEO Travis Williams. "We are truly excited to showcase the nation's best HBCU student-athletes and brilliant coaches with our CBS Sports partners on a national stage, one day before the Men's National Championship Game and honor the legendary coaching careers of John McLendon, Clarence 'Big House' Gaines, and illustrious playing careers of Dick Barnett, Earl "The Pearl" Monroe, Bobby Dandridge, Ben Wallace, and Rick Mahorn."
 
The All-Star Game will honor two legendary coaches with players on Team John McLendon and Team Clarence "Big House" Gaines. It will be the culmination of a week-long celebration of the HBCU All-Star Game Experience in New Orleans. The experience will include a college admissions fair, pro-day scouting combine, legacy court dedication and community outreach, which tips off the week on Tuesday, March 29 and concludes one day after the NCAA men's Division I national championship on April 5.
 
Kenny Cooper, a graduate transfer from WKU/Lipscomb, leads Tennessee State in assists (23) and steals (12). Among the point guards on the watch list, the Nashville native ranks third in steals per game (2.0). He ranks fourth in the Ohio Valley Conference in steals per game. The guard's swiped multiple steals in three games, while securing at least one steal in five of six games. Through six games, Cooper's ranked sixth in the OVC with 3.8 assists per game. With a selective jump shot from long-range, his 7-for-11 from deep leads the conference in three-point shooting percentage (63.6%).
 
Kassim Nicholson, a graduate transfer from UAB, averages 9.3 points and 9.0 rebounds per game in 29.5 minutes of action. The forward leads the team in rebounds (54) and minutes per game, while he ranks third in the conference, 42^nd nationally, in boards per game. Through six games, the Jackson, Mississippi native ranks 31^st in the NCAA with 3.3 offensive rebounds per game. He set a season-high in his TSU debut with 15 rebounds against Alabama A&M (11/09). Nicholson has posted at least nine points and nine rebounds in four of six games thus far.
 
Jalen Dupree, a graduate transfer from Samford, is tied for second on the team in rebounds (26). The forward from Cordova, Tennessee leads the team in field-goal percentage at 66.7% (16-for-24). He's started in five of six games, while averaging 6.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, and an assist per game. On Nov. 21 at South Dakota, the veteran posted a season-high 12 points on five-of-six from the field.
 
Shakem Johnson made his first appearance of the year on Sunday, November 28 against Southern. TSU's leading returner from 2020-21 registered seven points and five rebounds in his season debut. Last year, the senior led the team in rebounds (115), offensive rebounds (46), and field-goal percentage (60.5%), while he ranked second in points (235) and blocks (11). In terms of the OVC, the Youngstown, Ohio native ranked 3^rd in shooting percentage, 11^th in rebounds and 8^th in offensive rebounds. As a junior, Johnson started all 33 games and led the OVC in shooting percentage (62.4%).

2021-22 HBCU All-Star Watch List:

DICK BARNETT – POINT GUARD:

1. Jayden Saddler | 6-1, 195 | Southern
2. Kam Langley | 6-2, 175 | North Carolina A&T State University
3. Brandon Miller | 6-0, 175 | Miles College
4. Seventh Woods | 6-2, 184 | Morgan State University
5. Greg Boyd | 5-10, 165 | Tuskegee University
6. Johquin Wiley | 5-11, 175 | Hampton University
7. Jonas James | 6-0, 160 | Jackson State University
8. Justin Thomas | 6-0, 185 | Alcorn State University
9. Kenny Cooper | 6-1, 185 | Tennessee State University
10. Tyriek Railey | 6-0, 180 | Virginia Union University
11. Rashawn Neal | 6-0, 195 | Shaw University

 
EARL "THE PEARL MONROE – SHOOTING GUARD:

1. Myles Carter | 6-1, 185 | Delaware State University
2. Keith McGee | 6-2, 190 | Morgan State University
3. Randy Miller | 6-2, 180 | North Carolina Central University
4. Tai Bibbs | 6-3, 190 | Howard University
5. Tim Bing | 6-3, 175 | Benedict College
6. Shannon Smith | 6-4, 194 | Clark Atlanta University
7. Jalen Seegars | 6-5, 215 | Fayetteville State University
8. Kyle Foster | 6-5, 172 | Howard University
9. Trey Deloach | 6-5, 185 | Savannah State University
10. Brandon Faison | 6-3, 185 | Shaw University
11. David Beatty | 6-2, 185 | North Carolina A&T State University
12. Tyler Maye | 6-1, 180 | North Carolina A&T State University
13. Marlo Haskett | 6-2, 185 | Hampton University
14. Cameron Campbell | 6-3, 182 | Winston Salem State University
15. Amari Beacham | 6-2, 164 | Albany State University
16. Danya Kingsby |6-2, 175 | Grambling State University
17. Jawaun Daniels | 6-7, 205 | Prairie View A&M University

BOBBY DANDRIDGE – SMALL FORWARD:

1. Sam Green | 6-6, 230 | Howard University
2. Tajh Green | 6-8, 210 | Benedict College
3. Malik Smith     | 6-7, 195 | Livingstone College
4. Kassim Nicholson | 6-7, 200 | Tennessee State University
5. Joshua Greer | 6-5, 215 | Morehouse College
6. Justin Longstreet | 6-4, 188 | Clark Atlanta University
7. Justin Hopkins | 6-5, 205 | Texas Southern University
8. Xavier Jones    | 6-5, 220 | Johnson C. Smith University
9. Jordan Peebles | 6-7, 190 | Virginia Union University
10. Javonte Cooke | 6-5, 200 | Winston Salem State University
11. Prince Moss | 6-7, 185 | Grambling State University

BEN WALLACE – POWER FORWARD:

1. Deaquan Williams | 6-8, 215 | South Carolina State University
2. Joel Logan | 6-8, 225 | Miles College
3. Randall Brumant | 6-7, 220 | Howard University
4. Shakem Johnson | 6-7, 230 | Tennessee State University
5. Jalen Dupree | 6-8, 240 | Tennessee State University
6. Tyler Jones | 6-8, 225 | Bowie State University
7. Edward Oliver | 6-7, 215 | Hampton University
8. Kobby Ayetey | 6-8, 220 | Bowie State University

 
RICK MAHORN – CENTER:

1. Lenell Henry | 6-8, 215 | Alcorn State University
2. Zion Cousins | 6-9, 205 | Fayetteville State University
3. Navar Elmore | 6-9, 202 | Livingstone College
4. Godlyvictor Okafor | 6-8, 230 | Bowie State University
5. Amari McCray | 6-11, 260 | Grambling State University
6. Terreone Randolph | 6-9, 220 | Grambling State University
7. Najee Garvin | 6-10, 210 | Hampton University
8. Brison Gresham | 6-9, 240 | Texas Southern University
9. Jaquan Lawrence | 6-9, 200 | Lemoyne-Owens College
10. Lagio Grantsaan | 6-8, 235 | Morgan State University
11. Anthony Fairley | 6-8, 195 | Miles College