For decades, the NBA was dominated by African-American players whose style wasn’t just athletic—it was electric. Today, the league’s roster is more diverse, with an influx of talent from Europe. The narrative says European players are “more fundamentally sound,” and in fairness, many are. For every Nikola Jokić, there’s a Jayson Tatum. For every Giannis Antetokounmpo, there’s an Anthony Edwards. And if you ask a young fan who’s got the best handles in the league, they’re shouting Kyrie Irving—not Luka Dončić.

Let’s keep it real—fans tune in for excitement. The kind of game that makes you jump out of your seat. The overseas development model has produced disciplined, polished players, but they often lack that street-born creativity—the crossovers, the hang-time artistry, the unpredictable flashes of brilliance that grew from blacktops and community courts.

HBCUs are bursting with this kind of raw, unpolished, crowd-thrilling talent. In many ways, the officiating in the SWAC, SIAC, MEAC, and CIAA mirrors that of the NBA’s 1990s era—physical, competitive, and gritty. The kind of basketball that pulls you into the game and refuses to let go. The problem isn’t talent. It’s visibility. And here’s how we change that: 

1.     Aggressively Market Our Players and Games
Right now, college basketball coverage is dominated by the Power Five conferences—SEC, ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, and Pac-12. HBCUs rarely get the primetime shine. But our fan bases already have the tools to change that. Social media can level the playing field if used strategically. That player at Howard or Norfolk State with 15 points and 10 boards a game? He deserves the same online hype you’d give the next Duke lottery pick. Build the highlight reels, push them on Instagram and X, and tag NBA scouts.

2.     Build Our Own Sports Networks—and Actually Support Them
The SEC Network and ACC Network thrive because their fans show up. They watch, they subscribe, they promote. There’s no reason the SWAC, SIAC, MEAC, and CIAA can’t do the same. Partner with local chambers of commerce to fund these networks. Fill them with game replays, player profiles, and behind-the-scenes content that makes scouts want to watch.

3.     Create an HBCU-to-Pro Semi-Pro League
Not every star player will get drafted—but that doesn’t mean their careers are over. Picture a semi-pro league featuring the best HBCU graduates who didn’t make the NBA or WNBA, playing in alumni-heavy cities like Atlanta, Charlotte, Houston, and D.C. Give them a platform to keep building film, facing tough competition, and staying on scouts’ radar.

The truth is simple: the best basketball talent is still here in the United States—and much of it is playing in HBCU gyms. The NBA doesn’t need to search the globe for excitement; it just needs to look in its own backyard.