NASHVILLE – The Tennessee State men's basketball team will compete in the third annual Toyota Chris Paul HBCU Classic, set for December 4-5 at CareFirst Arena in Washington, D.C.
The two-day event, organized by the Chris Paul Family Foundation and the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, will be held in the nation's capital for the first time. Events DC, the official convention and sports authority for the District of Columbia, will serve as the host partner.
Tennessee State will open the event against Grambling on Friday, December 4, before facing Florida A&M on Saturday, December 5.
"Our program is very excited to travel to Washington, D.C., to play in my brother Chris Paul's event," said Tennessee State head coach Nolan Smith. "The basketball scene in D.C. will be electric, and we hope to add to the electricity. We are headed up to play in two big-time games."
"HBCU basketball has become an important pillar of college sports. As support continues to grow, I'm excited to bring this year's games to the DMV area and provide the teams an opportunity to showcase their talent on a national platform," said Paul. "Our partnership with the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and our supporting sponsors allows us to continue to support the growth and development of HBCU basketball."
The Toyota Chris Paul HBCU Classic provides HBCU student-athletes with a national platform while celebrating the excellence, culture and legacy of historically Black colleges and universities.
Game times, ticket information, broadcast details and credential information will be announced at a later date. For additional information, visit hoophall.com.
TOYOTA CHRIS PAUL HBCU CLASSIC
Friday, December 4
Grambling State vs. Tennessee State
Saturday, December 5
Florida A&M vs. Tennessee State
ABOUT THE TOYOTA CHRIS PAUL HBCU CLASSIC
The Toyota Chris Paul HBCU Classic is presented through a partnership between the Chris Paul Family Foundation and the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. The event supports the growth of HBCU basketball and gives participating student-athletes an opportunity to showcase their talent on a national platform.
ABOUT THE NAISMITH BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME
Located in Springfield, Massachusetts—the birthplace of basketball—the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame is an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting, preserving and celebrating basketball at every level. The Hall of Fame museum is home to more than 475 inductees and more than 40,000 square feet of basketball history. For more information, visit hoophall.com.
