Hampton University Basketball Teams To Participate In ACC "Two Traditions. One Court" Initiative
10.6.26 | Women's Basketball, Men's Basketball
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Oct. 6, 2026) – The Atlantic Coast Conference announced today the launch of Two Traditions. One Court., a new initiative designed to bring greater visibility and storytelling to men's and women's basketball games between ACC programs and Historically Black Colleges and Universities during the 2026-27 season.
ACC men's and women's basketball teams are scheduled to play 37 games against 18 HBCU programs this season, with the potential for a 38th matchup. Rather than viewing those games individually, Two Traditions. One Court. creates a collective platform to elevate the matchups and celebrate the histories, communities and people that connect ACC and HBCU basketball.
Hampton University will be involved in three of those matchups starting on Nov. 3 as the men's team takes on Georgia Tech. Two days later, the women will take on SMU in Dallas, while the men follow on Dec. 8 at Wake Forest. All three games will be on ACC Network Extra.
Through coordinated coverage across ACC Network and ACC Network Extra, the initiative will highlight the student-athletes and coaches competing on the court while creating opportunities to tell the broader stories surrounding the games and introduce them to new audiences.
"This season, the ACC is proud to launch an initiative that will spotlight at least 37 men's and women's basketball games between our programs and HBCUs," said ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips, Ph.D. "These matchups provide an opportunity to recognize the rich legacy of ACC Basketball and HBCU athletics, celebrate the meaningful connections between our institutions — including ACC alumni now leading HBCU programs — and engage new audiences while elevating the student-athletes and coaches who make college basketball so meaningful."
The ACC spearheaded the development of the initiative, engaging leadership from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), Hampton University and Tennessee State University ahead of its launch to share the vision, foster collaboration, and discuss opportunities for continued growth in future seasons.
The connections between ACC and HBCU basketball extend well beyond this season's schedule. Nine ACC alumni currently serve on coaching staffs at HBCU programs, including former ACC national champions who are now bringing that championship experience to the next generation. Among them are Virginia all-time scoring leader and Hampton associate head coach Bryant Stith, Duke national champions Kenneth Blakeney, now head coach at Howard, and Nolan Smith, head coach at Tennessee State. Florida State alumnus and Heisman Trophy winner Charlie Ward, now head coach at Florida A&M; and Louisville alumna Courtney Simmons, head coach of Grambling State women's basketball also join the list. Howard associate head coach Nate James won a national championship as a Duke student-athlete and later helped coach two more championship teams in Durham.
Two Traditions. One Court. reflects two distinct and storied basketball traditions coming together through competition, shared connections and a common love of the game. By bringing these matchups together under one initiative, the ACC aims to create greater awareness of the games, deepen engagement among ACC and HBCU fans, and provide a platform for stories that extend beyond the final score.
ACC men's and women's basketball teams are scheduled to play 37 games against 18 HBCU programs this season, with the potential for a 38th matchup. Rather than viewing those games individually, Two Traditions. One Court. creates a collective platform to elevate the matchups and celebrate the histories, communities and people that connect ACC and HBCU basketball.
Hampton University will be involved in three of those matchups starting on Nov. 3 as the men's team takes on Georgia Tech. Two days later, the women will take on SMU in Dallas, while the men follow on Dec. 8 at Wake Forest. All three games will be on ACC Network Extra.
Through coordinated coverage across ACC Network and ACC Network Extra, the initiative will highlight the student-athletes and coaches competing on the court while creating opportunities to tell the broader stories surrounding the games and introduce them to new audiences.
"This season, the ACC is proud to launch an initiative that will spotlight at least 37 men's and women's basketball games between our programs and HBCUs," said ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips, Ph.D. "These matchups provide an opportunity to recognize the rich legacy of ACC Basketball and HBCU athletics, celebrate the meaningful connections between our institutions — including ACC alumni now leading HBCU programs — and engage new audiences while elevating the student-athletes and coaches who make college basketball so meaningful."
The ACC spearheaded the development of the initiative, engaging leadership from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), Hampton University and Tennessee State University ahead of its launch to share the vision, foster collaboration, and discuss opportunities for continued growth in future seasons.
The connections between ACC and HBCU basketball extend well beyond this season's schedule. Nine ACC alumni currently serve on coaching staffs at HBCU programs, including former ACC national champions who are now bringing that championship experience to the next generation. Among them are Virginia all-time scoring leader and Hampton associate head coach Bryant Stith, Duke national champions Kenneth Blakeney, now head coach at Howard, and Nolan Smith, head coach at Tennessee State. Florida State alumnus and Heisman Trophy winner Charlie Ward, now head coach at Florida A&M; and Louisville alumna Courtney Simmons, head coach of Grambling State women's basketball also join the list. Howard associate head coach Nate James won a national championship as a Duke student-athlete and later helped coach two more championship teams in Durham.
Two Traditions. One Court. reflects two distinct and storied basketball traditions coming together through competition, shared connections and a common love of the game. By bringing these matchups together under one initiative, the ACC aims to create greater awareness of the games, deepen engagement among ACC and HBCU fans, and provide a platform for stories that extend beyond the final score.
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