Travis Williams continues to break new ground for HBCU basketball.
Ten HBCU All-Stars alumni will embark on introducing HBCUs to an international audience with the first-ever HBCU All-Stars International Tour to Paris, France. The excursion begins Wednesday, June 19, to June 26, as several of the nation’s top HBCU All-Stars will participate.
“This is one of the most important and rare moments in history where we get a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and global platform during the Olympic year in Paris to represent our esteemed HBCUs, four premier Black College conferences, the Best in Black College Basketball, and the United States of America in a part of the world where HBCUs and the HBCU culture do not exist,” said Travis L. Williams, Founder and CEO of HBCU All Stars LLC.
Alums from the 2022, 2023, and 2024 HBCU All-Star Games in New Orleans, Houston, and Phoenix will be partake in the Quai 54 World Streetball Championship at the prestigious Pierre de Coubertin Stadium in Paris. Celebrities and even NBA stars will travel over-seas to enjoy the annual basketball tournament, which sold out in less than two hours.
“This is history in the making to host the first-ever HBCU All-Stars International Tour in Paris, one month before the 2024 Summer Olympics take place,” Williams said. “The very deserving 10 players that have been selected from our 2022, 2023, and 2024 HBCU All-Star Games are playing professionally now in the NBA G-League, internationally overseas, and doing well in pursuing their goals, dreams, and aspirations of playing at the highest level in the NBA.
“They are truly excited to represent the HBCU All-Stars Basketball Movement, and the best in college basketball from our country’s most esteemed HBCUs.”
Legendary former HBCU coach Cy Alexander will serve as the head coach of the all-star squad, bringing a wealth of valuable experience, knowledge, expertise, and respect.
“I am very honored and humbled to be asked to be a part of such an historic event,” said Alexander, who led programs at South Carolina State, Tennessee State and North Carolina A&T during an impressive 45-year HBCU coaching career that included six NCAA Tournament appearances. “Travis Williams has done an outstanding job establishing the HBCU All-Star Brand. We plan to compete at a very high level and try to win the tournament.
Since October 2019, Williams said he has been working extremely hard through his sports marketing, events and media company HBCU All-Stars, LLC, “to provide these amazing national and global opportunities for our proud and prestigious HBCUs, deserving student-athletes, and brilliant coaches across the country.
“This God-driven vision will provide exposure, access, recognition, and opportunities on a global platform in Paris against some of the top international teams competing in this event and in two friendly exhibition games. There were many outstanding players very deserving of this great honor and opportunity to play at the highest level and on the biggest international stage in Paris.”
With a mission to advocate, educate, expose, mentor, and invest in HBCU students, student-athletes, and coaches across the country, the event aims to showcase the “Best in Black College Basketball.”
Launched by HBCU All-Stars LLC, a black-owned sports marketing, events, and media company in Atlanta, the HBCU All-Star Game brings much-needed E.A.R. (Exposure, Access, Recognition) and O.R.R. (Opportunities, Resources, Results) while celebrating Black excellence.
HBCU ALL-STARS INTERNATIONAL TOUR |
2024 HBCU ALL-STARS
Sam Sessoms, 6-0, PG, Coppin State (’23); Shaun Doss, 6-5, SG, Arkanas-Pine Bluff (’23); Kyle Fos- ter, 6-6, SG, Howard (’22); Christian Brown, 6-6, G/F, Tennessee State (’24); Cameron Christon, 6-6, G/F, Grambling State (’23); Jordan O’Neal, 6-7, F/C, Jackson State (’24); Kerry Richardson, 6-7, F/C, Morehouse (’23); Tahj Green, 6-8, SF/PF, Benedict (’22); Brishon Gresham, 6-9, F/C, Texas Southern (’22); Jaylen Alston, 6-5, G/F, Winston-Salem State (’24).
ABOUT THE TOURNAMENT
Quai 54, considered the must-attend event for street basketball and urban culture, is back in Paris. After the 20th anniversary of the French Open at Roland-Garros, the world’s biggest streetball tournament moves to the Stade Pierre de Coubertin, for the first time indoors! For two days, basketball fans and curious onlookers will be treated to top- level sporting competition and top-quality entertainment, for an exceptional show.
16 teams from 14 different nations, representing almost 160 pro and amateur players, including NBA stars, will compete for the title in knockout matches, with the men’s final on Sunday at 8pm, just after the women’s final! A real highlight of the event, the Dunk Contest will bring together the world’s best high-flying dunkers with four big names!
Throughout the weekend, you’ll also be able to enjoy live concerts and entertainment between matches, with some 10 DJs taking turns at the decks. After the arrival of a women’s tournament in 2021, the new feature this year is the arrival of youth, with the U15s facing off in a series of knockout matches, to showcase the future of street basketball!
