HBCU notebook: Destiny Howell’s return excites Howard, HBCUs looking forward to hosting Power Four programs

While she hated missing a much-anticipated year of basketball, it ultimately became a blessing in disguise for the affable 6’0 Howard University graduate guard. It forced Howell to focus and reflect, which proved to be a perfect combination as she prepares to return better than ever. Howell grew in ways she never anticipated and proved to be a fountain of wisdom to her teammates last season.
 
“It weighed heavily on my heart, and I tried hard not to show my emotions,” Howell said. “I couldn’t believe this was happening. I had planned to go to the draft and accomplish the big things I set out to do. I was so close to reaching my goals, but then God set me back, and I had to figure out why. That uncertainty drove me crazy for a while. But once I found the positives in a negative situation, it brought me peace and a clear mind. I ended up in a perfect space mentally.”
 
During the past year, Howell’s sterling character sustained her through the adversity she experienced. Her character also gave her the strength to attack her rehabilitation relentlessly. She found the positives.
 
“I just know God allowed me to focus on school and graduating with a Howard degree,” said Howell, who earned her degree in leisure studies with a concentration in sports management this past May. “Being out gave me more time to work on myself as a person and player. I saw the game through a different lens from the sidelines. Seeing the game slow down, my basketball IQ went up another level just from watching the game from that perspective for a whole season. I told myself I have another year to get better, faster, and stronger.”

Howell is driven to dominate once again

Howell cherishes the pleasure of playing the game she loves passionately. Before her injury, Howell roared to the basket with a smooth rush of power and soared above defenders with athletic ferocity.

Howell was racking up Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) accolades like a sneaker-head collects Jordans. She was named the 2023 MEAC Player of the Year and 2023-24 MEAC Preseason Player of the Year. She was also named the 2022 MEAC Tournament Most Outstanding Player, as she helped Howard win the championship and a game in the NCAA Tournament.
 
“I feel great and love where I am at,” Howell shared. “I put in a lot of work to get here. I am feeling good and back into my groove. I am moving better as the weeks go by. I am excited to see where I go and how I grow in a few months.”
 
Howell’s confidence is due to the grueling rehab she conquered. She was committed to grinding. There were long days and hard moments, yet Howell never wavered in doing whatever it took to get healthy.
 
There were two stages to Howell’s rehab. For close to two hours on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, she did heavy split squats, single-leg jumps, knee extensions, weighted jump launches, and much more during high-impact sessions. Then, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, she focused on conditioning and lifting weights. She rested on Sundays, with each one bringing her closer to returning.
 
Motivational text messages from her mom, in the form of Bible verses, lifted Howell’s spirits. Howard head coach Ty Grace also tore her ACL, so she was able to share her experiences with Howell, which helped. Howell also received plenty of positive messages and care baskets from her friends and fans from all over the world.
 
“I had to learn to be a leader, and it was super hard,” Howell said. “Before, I was a person who led by example. I had to take a step back. I knew I was being tested. If my voice holds weight while I am out, I imagine what it will be like when I return. Any opportunity I had to share with the team what I saw, whether it was something about their defense or giving life advice, I did it. I feel like I made an impact. Being out also taught me a lot of patience.”

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This was the first significant injury for Howell, who was introduced to basketball by her dad, Steven, at the age of nine. It wasn’t until she was 13 that Howell began to take basketball seriously, realizing it could open doors for her.
 
“She looks perfect and is just a competitor,” Grace said. “She’s a good teammate, and I’ve seen much growth in her. She encouraged and helped her young teammates by feeding them information she had seen. She wants to be a coach in addition to being an entrepreneur. She was observant and asked a lot of questions.”
 
Now, Howell headlines a talented, deep, and experienced Howard roster. Howard was chosen as a MEAC co-favorite with Norfolk State in the preseason poll released earlier this month. Howell, Tyana Walker, Kaiya Creek, and Nile Miller earned All-MEAC Preseason recognition.
 
After two consecutive heart-wrenching MEAC championship losses to Norfolk State, the Bison are more motivated than ever. Last season’s narrow 51-46 defeat to the Spartans left Howard with a lingering sense that they were the better team.
 
Howell, sidelined due to injury, could only watch and offer support. Her pain that day came from watching and not being able to play. Many believe she could have been the difference in last year’s title game, and the team is laser-focused on redemption.
 
Each sweat-soaked summer session demanded more — longer hours in the gym, extra shooting drills, additional reps in the weight room, and another lap around the track. Whatever it took, the Bison team was all in, pushing harder than ever.
 
“We were in shock when it happened,” recalled Grace of Howell’s injury. “Right after surgery, she got to work immediately with rehab and going full throttle. She was focused and determined and never let up. She was there every time she could be in the gym and rehab. She was down about (Howard losing in the championship) and couldn’t wait to get back. We’re excited to have her back.”

Setbacks only fueled Howard’s resolve

“It’s a ton of motivation,” Grace said of the MEAC Tournament setback to Norfolk State. “That’s the expectation here: to go and win a championship. We don’t think about anything else, and it’s something that’s been built over time. The last two years hurt them … Nobody cares about excuses because we expect to win. We’ve had a great mindset during the summer. Everybody was meshing and jelling, and I’ve noticed a lot of growth. They know what they want and are willing to do what it takes. They know that one team has been taking it away from them lately.”
 
Grace has constructed a championship culture at Howard, defined by high expectations, hard work, and an atmosphere of fun. Under her leadership, the Bison have maintained strong player retention, with few athletes opting for the transfer portal. Her thoughtful and strategic recruiting approach strengthens the family-like environment that defines the team, fostering both unity and success.
 
This atmosphere has enabled Howell to thrive, helping her discover her voice, purpose, and focus. As the season approaches, Howell has done everything during preseason practices except scrimmage. According to Grace and Howell, she is close to being cleared for everything.
 
Howell just wants to enjoy each bus ride, private moments in the locker room, and having fun with her teammates on and off the floor. With a wide smile on her face, Howell was dancing with Walker and Howard men’s players Bryce Harris and Marcus Dockery during MEAC Media Day at the Norfolk Marriott Waterside Hotel.
 
She’s focused on one thing. The statistics will take care of themselves. Howell has the mental receipts from watching the Spartans and their fans celebrate for a second straight year.
 
“All the support I received during my rehab made me feel loved and motivated me to come back even more,” Howell said. “We have a different team this year. Talking and hearing about how we are the favorites is cool, but we are at the point where it’s time to get it done. Our goal as a program is a championship, so let’s get it done now.”
 
Howell is back and ready to close her career with one more championship.

Top 25 Programs Visiting HBCUs

North Carolina, Ole Miss, and Alabama share more than just a spot in the Associated Press preseason top 25 rankings — they are all set to play road games this season at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). This is significant and reflects the commitment of these programs to engage in these matchups.

It is even more notable that as flagship programs for their states, No. 24 Alabama will visit Alabama A&M on November 7, while No. 15 North Carolina will face North Carolina A&T in the Aggies’ home opener on November 12. Both games are highly anticipated, offering a special opportunity for the HBCUs to host these tradition-rich programs.

Other HBCU home games against Power Four opponents include No. 20 Ole Miss visiting Delaware State on November 14, Arizona State playing at Coppin State on December 5, UCF traveling to Texas Southern on December 7, and Mississippi State making the long trip to Maryland Eastern Shore on December 20.

“One of our 10 characteristics of Lady Aggie basketball is being an opportunist,” North Carolina A&T women’s basketball head coach Tarrell Robinson said. “So, having them on our home floor is no different than, you know, us being able to play at home in the WNIT because it gave us an opportunity to win those games. It’s exciting to have a program with such rich tradition coming to our gym. We’re excited about it.”

More Power Four programs have always been willing to play road games in women’s basketball at HBCUs. Maryland head coach Brenda Freese loves taking the Terps to play road games at the smaller schools in the state, which includes Coppin State and Morgan State. Maryland played at Coppin State in 2014, 2017, and 2021.

The benefits of these games include competing in a different environment, learning the history of HBCUs, and a bonding experience for their programs.

Many HBCUs have traditionally had to play a schedule loaded with road trips to Power Four schools for guaranteed money, an unfortunate way of life because these games help supplement their operating budgets. For example, last year’s Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) champion, Jackson State, played at Power Four programs the entire month of December, dropping all five contests.

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While many HBCUs are still playing plenty of guarantee road games at Power Four schools, there’s been a positive shift in scheduling those games.

Last season, Alabama A&M head coach Dawn Thornton was in charge at Arkansas Pine-Bluff. She led the Golden Lions to a historic victory over Arkansas. Thornton admitted that Arkansas did pay UAPB a guarantee for making the trip to Fayetteville.

“The major thing about having an opportunity to host a Power Four school is that it speaks volumes about the times we are in,” Thornton said. “From our perspective, HBCU coaches are becoming more confident to request (a home game). We are not in a situation where it’s all about the money. We needed to get the guarantees in the past, but now we are in a position to host because we have nice facilities, quality programs, and a supportive administration.”

The support is in the form of Alabama A&M playing the second game of a Bulldog doubleheader, with the game against Alabama as the headliner. The AAMU men play the first game, which is a rarity. It is the start of a home-and-home for the programs as AAMU will visit Tuscaloosa.

“My athletic director wanted to make a statement and continue to build excitement around the women’s program,” Thornton said. “There are high expectations for our program. We are expecting a sold-out crowd. A game like this shows the empowerment of women’s sports. I am thankful to have a forward-thinking athletics director who wants to do something like this for us.”

Last season, in addition to UAPB’s win over Arkansas, North Carolina A&T knocked off Wake Forest, Coppin State beat Pittsburgh, Southern defeated Oklahoma, and Grambling State beat Arizona State. Coppin State played to a sellout crowd when it hosted LSU in Angel Reese‘s homecoming.

“Every year, if I can, we will go on the road and play at an HBCU for many reasons,” Ole Miss head coach said Yolett McPhee-McCuin in an emailed statement to The Next. “I believe that there are really good coaches in those conferences. Financially, I know it helps then. There’s so much history at an HBCU, so it’s another way we can educate our players. Selfishly, I always hope the band is there.”

Thornton recalls a funny conversation with McPhee-McCuin following last year’s game, which the Rebels won in Pine Bluff, 62-47. The band attended UAPB, as did the Greek-letter organizations, a frenzied crowd, and cheerleaders.

“Coach Yo told me afterward that she had to get on her team to focus on her during the timeouts instead of the atmosphere,” said a laughing Thornton. “Those coaches understand that they are going to play in a great environment, and they’re taking advantage of being on an HBCU campus.”

For HBCUs, these games also highlight their institutions’ cultural and historical importance. Hosting Power Four teams brings more awareness to the rich legacy of HBCUs as engines of economic empowerment while showcasing their contribution to both education and sports. Overall, it highlights the growth and strength of HBCU women’s basketball programs while contributing to a more equitable distribution of resources and opportunities.

Hosting a Power Four opponent can positively impact recruiting, and facing top-tier teams elevates the level of competition for HBCU programs.

During his 13 years in East Greensboro, Robinson’s A&T programs have hosted UCLA, Georgia, and Auburn. Players also look forward to these types of games. The transfer portal has made games against Power Four programs more intriguing because talent is disbursed at all levels of college hoops.

“I think it’s a great way to start the season at home,” North Carolina A&T senior guard Jordyn Dorsey said. “As Coach Rob said, it’s a great opportunity to show what we can do and how we can compete with not only mid-majors but also Power Fours. I’m sure you know we got a Power Five win last year, so we’re just trying to keep that going.”

Mark your calendars

Here are five non-conference games worth your attention:

Howard at Florida A&M, Monday, Nov. 4: The former MEAC playmates meet for the first time since 2020. FAMU joined the SWAC following the 2019-20 campaign. The Bison have won four straight in the matchup and it matches Howell against FAMU’s Olivia Delancy, an All-SWAC Preseason Second Team selection. Just a thought, a nice SWAC-MEAC challenge would be awesome.

UAB at Alabama A&M, Tuesday, Nov. 12: A few days after hosting Alabama, the Bulldogs welcome the Blazers of the American Athletic Conference to Huntsville. UAB participated in the WNIT last season after losing in the AAC championship game.

Towson at Morgan State, Thursday, Nov. 14: The Battle for Greater Baltimore is always passionate. This will be Towson’s first visit to Hill Field House since 2003. Morgan State beat Towson 76-48 two years ago. The Bears are excited about their trio of leaders in Tamaria Rumph, Gabrielle Johnson, and Laila Fair. Towson head coach Laura Harper used to coach at Coppin State.

Troy at Mississippi Valley State, Sunday, Dec. 1: A rare home non-conference contest against a Sun Belt opponent is the perfect showcase for MVSU’s Sh’Diamond McKnight, one of the nation’s hidden gems. Troy won 22 games last season and advanced to the WNIT semifinals. McKnight is the SWAC’s leading returning scorer. Troy was picked second in the preseason Sun Belt poll.

Norfolk State at North Carolina A&T, Sunday, Dec. 15: Two programs with NCAA Tournament and conference championship aspirations collide. Again, another matchup between former MEAC foes who last played each other in 2021 and participated in postseason last year. This contest has the potential to be special as NSU’s Diamond Johnson goes head-to-head against Dorsey. That is worth the price of admission alone. This game may be one of the top 10 mid-major games this season.

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