THE STARS WHO SHINE ON THE COURT: HBCU ALL-STARS 2025
- Rei Tedoco
- Apr 8
- 5 min read
Reporter: Rei Tedoco
An Enterprise Edition
SAN ANTONIO- It’s all madness in Alamo City where soul, passion, and culture meet the basketball court. The historic HBCU All-Stars are bringing out the best in basketball.
The return of the Men’s HBCU All-Stars game hits its fourth year, and the first-ever Women’s HBCU All-Stars game sparks change. These individuals were selected from historically black colleges and universities across the United States.
“We’re just as important as what is happening across the street. HBCU All-Stars mean something to our culture and our community,” CEO Travis L. Williams said in comparison to the NCAA Men’s Final Four tournament.
With Sunday, April 6th, being the big day for many of the star athletes they spend time working with their selected teams and creating chemistry. 12 players on each team, with 48 players for both women’s and men’s coming out to compete in unity as HBCU All-Stars. The Men’s teams were split with teams Bob Love and Al Attles, and Women’s with teams Yolanda Laney and Patricia Hoskins.
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Many of these players are helping pave the way for the next generation of athletes and the youth who want to attend HBCUs. Alvin Miles of Miles College, a speedy point guard, has created a legacy he hopes to inspire others with.
“To represent the people that did it before us, do it for myself, my family, and to be a great representation. It’s playing with great talent, great coaches, and to learn more to soak everything in,” Miles said about his HBCU All-Star experience.
Grambling State University had multiple players competing in the Men’s and Women’s games. One includes Ernest Ross, who keeps his composure during game time and focuses on what’s in front of him.
When it comes to the next generation of HBCU athletes, he hopes they “practice their criteria, get in the gym, listen to others, and expand their minds.”
“I feel like doing that and being in HBCU, you’re around a lot of your people. It’s a culture thing,” Ross said.
For the Women’s All-Stars, another Grambling State University standout, Kahia Warmsley, represents her team in #12. While she may bring energy to the court, she stands on business- quite literally.
“I’m an entreprenuer, man,” Warmsley said. She owns a clothing line called Prolific Way and is a photographer and videographer with her own network called “visualsbytwelve”. Warmsley represents the diverse talents that athletes have on and off the court.
Another talent is Tuskegee guard, Kevin Sesberry Jr., who lives by a “we can too” motto when it comes to representation in basketball. Sesberry’s backcourt versatility is a team necessity. His experience at Tuskegee has allowed him to lead by example, and he applauds his current coach, Coach Benjy Taylor.
“It’s putting on a show right here,” Sesberry said with the platform he’s been given at the All-Star game. “Showing them that we can play too... And achieving, achieving every day.”
The Show-Down for Show-Time: A Report
The Men's All-Star game started first at 12 p.m. CST. , a true showcase of HBCU talent as both Teams Love and Attle were neck and neck. After the first-half, it was Team Love at 44 points while Team Attle trailed by three. Coming out of the second-half, both teams were on the come-up. Sustaining suspense but also showcased the raw talent that was on both teams. A game saver by Jordan Hinds of Bluefield State, sealed Team Love's victory at 94-to-92.
The Women's All-Star followed after and represented grit and determination. Both squads were eager to drop buckets while threes were flying across the court. In the first half, Team Laney was up 35 to 33 against Team Hoskins. A true battle on the court, with rare trailing moments. Heading into the second-half, Teams Hoskins and Laney battled it out being 73-to-72 with less than seven seconds left. Until Taliah Wesley of Allen University on Team Laney hits a game-winning three to finish the game 75-to-73.
The MVPS for both games were Taniyah Greene, who had fifteen points and 7 rebounds, and Tairell Fletcher, who had eighteen points and 7 rebounds. Both of these individuals are repping their white HBCU All-Star jerseys.
For the people, by the people: The Celebration of History
As the men's game had closed, Team Love celebrated their victory winning the All-Star games in Alamo City.
"I feel blessed. It's a blessing to be out here in San Antonio, especially out here with my peers. The top HBCU athletes," Jordan Hinds of Bluefield State said after his win.
Hinds was familiar with some of his teammates prior to the games as they competed in the same conference, this was a chance for them to come together in unity. Outside of his leadership on the court, he's a leader on Bluefield State's campus. He plans to continue his basketball endeavors by playing at the professional level.
Norfolk State's Makoye Diawara represented Team Laney. Diawara's spirit and compassion for the sport helped her connect with her teammates during the weekend.
"It means so much for us to be represented for other young black women," Diawara said after her team's victory. After this experience, she is continuing her education by getting her master's and becoming a Grad Assistant.
HBCU All-Stars has become a game-changer to allow student athletes to be surrounded with teammates who are around imbedded on similar cultures. Spending the weekend doing practices, team bondings, an the game allowed them to create a newfound chemistry.
"It feels surreal. It's a family-oriented event. I haven't played with these guys all season. I feel like I've been playing with them all year," Alvin Miles said after the game.
When mentioning his role as a point guard, he said he had to "get everyone going" to help him be a leader in order to "defend and play with energy". Miles is also ecstatic about supporting the girls and their first appearance.
With Kahia Warmsley being in the first-ever Women's HBCU All-Star game, she said she felt great and "a part of a legacy". Her takeaway from working with her team was that "they played their hearts out" which emphasized that character matters in the sport.
The ones behind it all: The Williams Family. With Travis Williams and Kya Williams admiration for HBCU culture and sports, they've made this expereince for multiple communities possible.
"We have 0 representation, so our number one priority is to change that narrative, giving back to our community is important, but showing the world that HBCUs matter, especially during the climate that we're facing now," Travis Williams said.
Next year, the HBCU All-Star will be in Indianapolis, Indiana and people will not want to miss out on the legacy HBCU All-Stars LLC. is creating.
Reporter: Rei Tedoco - The Flare TV at ASU
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