HBCU notebook: Releford ready to compete in HBCU Allstar Dream Classic

She’ll be playing on the same court graced by legends Julius “Dr. J” Erving, Earl “The Pearl” Monroe, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Kobe Bryant, and countless other greats. They entertained fans there while they honed their skills before going on to historic careers in the NBA.

Relying as much on her rock-solid faith than her talent, the 23-year-old Decatur, Georgia native overcame three surgeries and a pair of torn anterior cruciate ligaments to earn an invitation to compete in the prestigious 2024 Historically Black College & University (HBCU) Allstar Dream Classic on Saturday, August 10.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” said Releford, her excitement palpable. “To compete against some of the best players that attended HBCUs is exciting. I got the opportunity to play in the MEAC this past year but I’ve never played in any of the other conferences, so it will be really cool to compete against HBCU players from all over. It should be fun, and I look forward to representing South Carolina State. Rucker Park is an amazing and historic place where many legends played, so I am thrilled about the location.”

Releford is one of 20 women’s basketball players from HBCUs who will play in the second annual game. The teams are named after HBCU graduates Kamala Harris (Howard) and Althea Gibson (Florida A&M). The HBCU Allstar Dream Classic participants have all earned their college degrees.

For Releford, playing in this game and making her first trip to New York makes all the hard work, early mornings, and sacrifices, meaningful.

“My faith is what I rely on the most.” said Releford, who tore her ACL for the second time as a high school senior in the state championship game. “I just had to continue to believe in God’s plan even when I was injured. I knew he didn’t bring me this far to leave me. This is a testament to staying steadfast, believing, and not being shaken by anything. I am here for a purpose. My relationship with God strengthened a lot during rehab, and I leaned on him a lot. I believe when God starts a good work in you, he will carry it unto completion.”

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The women’s all-star game will take place on Aug. 10 at 5 p.m., and it will be followed by the men’s all-star game, scheduled to tip off at 7 p.m. In addition to these main events, there will be an inaugural 3-on-3 women’s game. This game will feature a team of HBCU players against a squad of New York players who attended non-HBCUs. It will kick off the day’s activities at 3:15 p.m.

A journey filled with adversity

Releford is relishing this unique opportunity because her hoops journey hasn’t been easy. It’s been a test of how much she can remain positive and persevere, despite numerous challenges. It’s been about knowing that her time would come.

Following her surgeries, there were times when she had to learn how to walk and run again. Fortunately, her family was there for her during the most challenging moments.

“My family means everything to me,” Releford said. “They have always been with me, from the day I picked up a ball at 9 years old until now. I’ve faced a lot of different challenges along my journey, including three knee surgeries, and they’ve been there through each one. They made sure I had proper therapy. They are loud at games. I am blessed and grateful to have such genuine love and support.”

During the inaugural participant Zoom call, Releford was also happy to see a familiar face, which made her light up with excitement: Bethune-Cookman’s Chanel Wilson, a First Team All-SWAC selection. Aside from sharing a bond of growing up outside of Atlanta, they also played on the same AAU team, Finest Basketball Club. Releford attended Collins Hill High School in Gwinnett County and Wilson went to McEachern High School in Cobb County.

“We played together at the Eurobasket overseas combine recently and killed the competition,” said a laughing Releford. “We played well together. During the Zoom, once we learned that we were going to be on the same team, we knew we were going to go at it together again.

Success off the court

Releford’s time at UNC Greensboro, where she played only four games in two years because of her ACL injury recovery and a weak quad, still earned her respect throughout both the women’s basketball program and the athletics department. She earned the annual Lynne Agee award while there, which is given to a student-athlete who conquers adversity.

Releford also earned plenty of academic accolades while attending UNCG, including being inducted into the distinguished Golden Chain Honor Society, Chi Alpha Sigma Honor Society, National College Athlete Honor Society and named Arthur Ashe Jr Sports Scholar. She earned her undergraduate degree in kinesiology and used her extra year of eligibility to attend South Carolina State.

But, adjusting from UNC Greensboro to South Carolina State was a different, but positive, experience for Releford.

“The whole community here comes out to the games,” Releford said. “They have a huge and supportive alumni chapter. I think one of the coolest parts about attending South Carolina State was seeing the students show up and show love for the women’s basketball team. Overall, it was a huge change coming from a PWI to an HBCU, especially in the classrooms. We connected on a deeper level and talked a lot about our history. I was extremely nervous. I always did well in school, but I didn’t know what to expect, being that I was a graduate student now. And I knew the classroom would require more of my time because graduate classes are longer and are held in the evening.”

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On the court, the energetic Releford appeared in 23 games and made 13 starts. Exploding past defenders with grace and grit, Releford led the Lady Bulldogs in scoring (8.2 points) and rebounds (2.3) in 24.3 minutes played. Even though South Carolina State endured a challenging season, she treated every game day, practice, and bus trip as a precious gift.

Nothing wiped the smile off her face.

“I am intrinsically motivated. No matter if we win or lose, I am always going to show up, and give it my all. More than anything I just want to show God that I appreciate him for blessing me with this gift,” Releford said. “I love the game. I’m grateful for every opportunity, especially to play in the HBCU All Star Dream Classic. I’ll always cherish the sacrifices of my supportive family. I want God to know that I appreciate him for allowing basketball to take me places I’ve never been before.”

That now includes Rucker Park, where Releford will take a bite out of the Big Apple for the first time. She’s also, more significantly, planning to showcase her polished skills.

Game rosters

In addition to Releford and Wilson, representing Harris’ Hoopers will be Iyanna Warren (Howard), Tyginae Wright (Alcorn State), Ny Langley (Virginia Union), Joelle Johnson (Morgan State University), Charlene Sheperd (Morgan State), Nia Bishop TS (Xavier), Anysa Jordan (West Virginia State), and Alexis Radcliff (Shaw).

Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Player of the Year Aniylah Bryant of Fayetteville State headlines Althea’s Aces. She will play with NyAsia Blango (Elizabeth City State), Gracen Kerr (Kentucky State), Cheyenne Talbot (Hampton), Amari Heard (Savannah State), Bryanna Brown (Lincoln, Pa.), Brittiney Seymour (Shaw), Je’Nya Wilder (Talladega), Erica Jones (Kentucky State), and Brailyn Tate (Lane).

Playing for the HBCU squad in the 3-on-3 event are Deja Francis (Norfolk State), Cassandra Colon (South Carolina State), Taylor Williams (Southern), and Nytasia Braxton (Cheyney). 

More on the game

With scouts and agents expected to attend, the entertaining event promises to deliver a distinctive fusion of HBCU sports tradition and urban basketball culture. Along with an expected standing-room only crowd, the HBCU Allstar Classic will also feature live musical entertainment, step shows by Divine Nine fraternities and sororities, marching bands, and cheerleaders. 

Overall, there are 20 HBCUs representing the CIAA (Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association), MEAC (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference), SIAC (Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference), SWAC (Southwestern Athletic Conference), and the NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) in the women’s game.

The second annual HBCU Allstar Dream Classic is organized by a Harlem-based nonprofit media company, Bridging Structural Holes (BSH), under the leadership of Darryl Roberts, a Lincoln University of Pennsylvania graduate. BSH, which emphasizes education and sports as the most impactful tools for lasting change, is committed to promoting equity and creating opportunities for athletes from all backgrounds.

“This is the right timing, and it’s a significant event for us,” Roberts said. “We looked across the diaspora of HBCUs and wanted to include men and women in this event to give equal footing. Women have meant a lot to HBCUs, especially HBCU sports. Think about athletes like Althea Gibson and Wilma Rudolph, who attended HBCUs and excelled. Plus, this is extremely important for the success of my organization, which is a big believer in equity.”