Hampton University vs. North Carolina A&T: What to know about the HBCU Classic face-off
Hampton University and North Carolina A&T are facing off in this year’s NBA HBCU Classic. We’re diving into the rivalry and what to watch for during the game.
NBA All-Star Weekend is an opportunity to see the game’s biggest stars taking the court and showing off their skills. College hoops fans should tune in, too, because the HBCU Classic will be featured alongside NBA All-Star 2026 in Los Angeles.
This year’s matchup features a long-standing rivalry between Hampton University and North Carolina A&T. Learn more about the NBA HBCU Classic and what to watch for in the matchup between the Pirates and the Aggies.
What is the NBA HBCU Classic?
The NBA HBCU Classic was introduced in 2021, with the first game taking place during the 2022 NBA All-Star Weekend. Per the NBA, it’s part of the league’s commitment to Historically Black Colleges and Universities, with a goal of “increasing support and awareness for athletics and advancing educational, career, and economic opportunities in partnership with HBCUs.”
Since the introduction of the NBA HBCU Classic, the league has given over $5.5 million to HBCU institutions, partners, and scholarship funds.
This is the fifth year of the NBA HBCU Classic. AT&T and the NBA are donating $100,000 apiece to the participating universities. Here’s a look at previous matchups in the NBA HBCU Classic:
- 2022 in Cleveland: Howard University beat Morgan State, 68-66
- 2023 in Salt Lake City: Grambling State beat Southern, 69-64
- 2024 in Indianapolis: Winston-Salem State beat Virginia Union, 64-47
- 2025 in Oakland: Tuskegee beat Morehouse College, 68-55 (despite a guest appearance from Morehouse graduate Spike Lee on the broadcast)
The Hampton/North Carolina A&T rivalry
The Hampton Pirates and North Carolina A&T Aggies have a long and intertwined history. As a result, a rivalry has built up over the years. Like most college rivalries, the tradition dates back to football. These two schools first matched up over 100 years ago, on November 17, 1925. Though North Carolina A&T won the most recent meeting on the gridiron, Hampton leads the all-time football series 29-19-2.
Hampton in Virginia and Greensboro in North Carolina are only about four hours apart, so opposing fans have no trouble traveling between the two cities. Across sports, coaches recruit in the opposing school’s state, with players from North Carolina suiting up for Hampton and the Aggies getting athletes from Virginia.
Additionally, the schools have shared several conferences throughout their histories. They were both in the Colored Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) when they first faced off. They’ve also been members of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) and the Big South Conference at the same time. Now, they’re both in the Coastal Athletic Association, which in 2023 changed its name from the Colonial Athletic Association. Hampton and North Carolina A&T are currently the only two HBCUs in the CAA.
In basketball, Hampton holds a 24-14 record over North Carolina A&T since 2000. The Pirates have won the last three games of the rivalry, including an 82-61 home victory on January 19.
If you’re looking solely at NCAA Tournament performance, Hampton has bragging rights there, as well. As a 15-seed, the Pirates won the program’s very first March Madness game in 2001. They lived up to the name, upsetting Iowa State, 58-57. Hampton is one of only 11 schools to ever win a 15-2 matchup. The Pirates added another NCAA Tournament victory in 2015, defeating Manhattan in the First Four opening round. In total, Hampton is 2-6 in the NCAA Tournament.
Meanwhile, North Carolina A&T has more tourney appearances, including seven straight trips from 1982 through 1988, but has won only once during the NCAA Tournament. In 2013, the Aggies won their First Four matchup against Liberty, 73-72, before losing to eventual national champion Louisville in the Round of 64. The school is 1-10 in March Madness games.
Who to watch during the game
The Pirates sport a fairly balanced attack, with ten players averaging at least 11 minutes per contest. Jalyke Gaines-Wyatt leads Hampton in both points and assists per game, and Michael Eley is also averaging double-digit points. Forward Xzavier Long is nearly averaging a double-double on the season and is the leading rebounder in the entire CAA. Guard Daniel Johnson and forward Aidan Haskins are the team’s top three-point shooters, and either could get on a hot streak under the NBA HBCU Classic spotlight.
North Carolina A&T is powered by its star redshirt freshman, Lewis Walker. He leads the team in scoring and minutes played and is a solid scorer both at the basket and from long range. Guard Trent Middleton Jr. and forward Zamoku Weluche-Ume also provide a strong scoring punch in the starting lineup. The Aggies don’t have nearly as deep a bench, but guys like Bryson Ogletree and Will Felton can still put up some baskets with the second unit.
What time is the NBA HBCU Classic?
East coast viewers will have to stay up late for this one. Since the All-Star Game is being held in Los Angeles, the tip-off won’t begin until 8 p.m. PST or 11 p.m. EST on Friday, February 13. It’s a full college game that counts in the regular-season standings, so expect it to take about two hours.
How can I watch the game?
The NBA HBCU Classic is the final event of the Friday night lineup during All-Star Weekend. It will stream live on Peacock from the Kia Forum.
The night starts at 7 p.m. EST with the Celebrity All-Star Game on ESPN. Then, head to Peacock to watch the Castrol Rising Stars Challenge at 9 p.m. EST, which features some of the best young talent in the NBA. Keep Peacock rolling to enjoy the NBA HBCU Classic.
Won’t be able to watch the game live? The NBA’s official website and YouTube channel usually have highlights after the fact, as well as some behind-the-scenes footage of the teams.
If you’re in the Los Angeles area (or want to take a little vacation), tickets are also available through the NBA website, Ticketmaster, and other ticket sites. Grab a general admission ticket or get a group of at least eight other friends together and snag your own private loge box.
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