National College Resources Foundation Hosts 34 HBCU Coaches at 8th Annual HBCU Basketball Showcase

Men's and women's basketball players battle for athletic scholarships offered on-site

Apr. 7, 2026 at 11:37pm

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A high-contrast, silkscreen-style illustration featuring a basketball repeated in a tight grid pattern, rendered in vibrant neon colors with heavy black outlines, capturing the energy and excitement of the HBCU Basketball Showcase event.The HBCU Basketball Showcase offers student-athletes a unique opportunity to showcase their skills and earn scholarships to continue their academic and athletic journeys at Historically Black Colleges and Universities.Los Angeles Today

The National College Resources Foundation (NCRF) will host its 8th Annual HBCU Basketball Showcase on April 10 and April 11, 2026, in Lynwood, California. The showcase will give student-athletes the opportunity to showcase their skills in front of 34 HBCU basketball coaches, with the chance to earn athletic scholarships and play at the next level. The event is part of NCRF's mission to connect underserved students to college, careers, and beyond.

Why it matters

The HBCU Basketball Showcase provides a valuable opportunity for student-athletes, particularly those from underserved communities, to be seen by college coaches and potentially earn athletic scholarships to continue their academic and athletic journeys at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). This event helps address the challenges faced by student-athletes in the increasingly competitive recruiting landscape.

The details

The Men's Basketball Showcase will take place at Lynwood High School Imperial Campus, while the Women's Basketball Showcase will be held at Firebaugh High, both in Lynwood, California. The showcase is sponsored by actor and comedian Kel Mitchell, as well as the Dick's Sporting Goods Foundation, reflecting a shared commitment to expanding opportunities for young athletes and investing in their futures.

  • The 8th Annual HBCU Basketball Showcase will be held on April 10 and April 11, 2026.
  • The Men's Basketball Showcase will take place on April 10, 2026.
  • The Women's Basketball Showcase will be held on April 11, 2026.

The players

National College Resources Foundation (NCRF)

A 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational enhancement organization serving over 200,000 students annually through a variety of impactful programs and initiatives, including its Black College Expo™, Latino College Expo™, and Student Athletic Programs (SAP).

Dr. Theresa Price

The Founder and CEO of National College Resources Foundation and Black College Expo™, who created the HBCU Basketball Showcase to offer unsigned seniors, JUCO players, and transfer portal student-athletes a chance to continue their academic and athletic journey at Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Kel Mitchell

An actor and comedian who is sponsoring the HBCU Basketball Showcase as part of his collaboration with the Dick's Sporting Goods Foundation on the 'Play It Forward: Game On' series, which aims to deliver transformational makeovers for under-resourced youth sports teams.

Renee Montgomery

The Vice President and part-owner of the Atlanta Dream, who is co-hosting the 'Play It Forward: Game On' series with Kel Mitchell.

Dick's Sporting Goods Foundation

A foundation that is sponsoring the HBCU Basketball Showcase as part of its collaboration with Kel Mitchell on the 'Play It Forward: Game On' series, reflecting a shared commitment to expanding opportunities for young athletes and investing in their futures.

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What they’re saying

“NCRF is proud to create spaces where student athletes can be seen, supported, and recruited. The HBCU Basketball Showcase is about opening doors. We want these athletes to leave encouraged, empowered, and one step closer to the future they've been working for.”

— Dr. Theresa Price, Founder and CEO of National College Resources Foundation and Black College Expo™

What’s next

The HBCU Basketball Showcase will take place on April 10 and April 11, 2026, providing student-athletes the opportunity to showcase their skills in front of 34 HBCU basketball coaches and potentially earn athletic scholarships to continue their academic and athletic journeys at Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

The takeaway

The HBCU Basketball Showcase organized by the National College Resources Foundation is a valuable initiative that helps address the challenges faced by student-athletes, particularly those from underserved communities, in the competitive recruiting landscape. By connecting these athletes with HBCU coaches and offering them the chance to earn scholarships, the showcase aligns with NCRF's mission to create educational and career opportunities for underrepresented students.