OAKLAND — Oakland has lost a lot of sports over the past six years.
The Warriors took the bridge across the Bay. The Raiders skipped town entirely, fleeing to Las Vegas. The A’s moved to Sacramento and also have made plans to leave the state.
But Oakland still has a lot of love for basketball. Never was that clearer than on Saturday at Oakland Arena, which welcomed Morehouse College and Tuskegee University for the fourth annual NBA HBCU Classic.
The tradition is still new, but it’ll be tough to top this year’s edition. In an atmosphere that resembled the best kind of impromptu party, Tuskegee beat Morehouse 68-55.
The Tuskegee Golden Tigers bench erupts in cheer after teammate D’Anthony Pennington (11) scores a three-point basket during the second half of the HBCU Classic at Oakland Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025. The Tuskegee Golden Tigers defeated the Morehouse Maroon Tigers 68-55. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
But most of the conversation afterward centered around the joyful arena crowd, which sang along to song after song, danced during breaks in the action and enlivened what could easily have been simply a stale spectacle.
Instead, it was a joyful, triumphant celebration of everything the HBCU basketball experience has to offer.
“It got to be an HBCU event for sure,” said Morehouse coach Douglas Whitler. “If you guys have been to an HBCU game before, then you’ll understand what I’m talking about. But the production, the fans that were in the building, the music, everything about this game was super big-time.
“I’m excited that we were able to participate in this. I’m excited that our young men, this weekend, were able to get these experiences, because I know it’s something that they’ll never forget for the rest of their life.”
Morehouse Maroon Tigers forward Amahn Decker (25) goes up for a basket against Tuskegee Golden Tigers forward Kusamae Draper (21) during the second half of the HBCU Classic at Oakland Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025. The Tuskegee Golden Tigers defeated the Morehouse Maroon Tigers 68-55. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Late in the second half, the lower bowl – nearly full – began a wave, but this was no ordinary wave. Accompanied by a tidal wave of noise, the cascade of sound and motion drowned out the very game itself.
It became clear then what had been bubbling under the surface all along – this was not your typical basketball game.
“I got goosebumps for these young men,” said Tuskegee coach Benjy Taylor. “I played at the University of Richmond, and I played in the Sweet 16. I’ve played in front of 30,000, coached in front of 30,000. For these young men to experience this, it just shows you you can go anywhere you want to go and be happy and still get that type of environment, that type of flavor. It’s something they’ll tell their kids and grandkids.”
The Tuskegee Golden Tigers pose for a team photo after defeating the Morehouse Maroon Tigers during their HBCU Classic at Oakland Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025. The Tuskegee Golden Tigers defeated the Morehouse Maroon Tigers 68-55. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Both teams expressed gratitude to the NBA for hosting the event, which provides HBCUs – many of which are based in smaller towns – the opportunity to showcase their talents on the big stage.
And those talents extended off the court. Both teams had featured halftime shows with marching bands and dancers, and the party kept going even after the final buzzer sounded.
“We have a big brand, but we’re a small town,” Taylor said. “Tuskegee is a powerful place. And for us to be involved in this, and for these young men to have the opportunity to do this is outstanding.”
Morehouse Maroon Tigers guard Sincere Key (3) loses possession of the ball while being guarded by Tuskegee Golden Tigers guard D’Anthony Pennington (11) during the second half of the HBCU Classic at Oakland Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025. The Tuskegee Golden Tigers defeated the Morehouse Maroon Tigers 68-55. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Spike Lee poses for a photograph with the cheer squad from the Morehouse Maroon Tigers during the second half of the HBCU Classic at Oakland Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025. The Tuskegee Golden Tigers defeated the Morehouse Maroon Tigers 68-55. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Tuskegee Golden Tigers guard Rodney Walker Jr. (14) congratulates teammate Tuskegee Golden Tigers guard D’Anthony Pennington (11) after scoring a three-point basket during the second half of the HBCU Classic at Oakland Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025. The Tuskegee Golden Tigers defeated the Morehouse Maroon Tigers 68-55. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Tuskegee Golden Tigers head coach Benjy Taylor gestures to his players during the first half of the HBCU Classic at Oakland Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Morehouse Maroon Tigers head coach Douglas Whittier watches his team play the Tuskegee Golden Tigers during the first half of the HBCU Classic at Oakland Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Tuskegee Golden Tigers forward Noah Goines (2) guards Morehouse Maroon Tigers forward Amahn Decker (25) during the first half of the HBCU Classic at Oakland Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Philadelphia 76ers mascot Franklin the Dog hugs a security guard during the second half of the HBCU Classic at Oakland Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025. The Tuskegee Golden Tigers defeated the Morehouse Maroon Tigers 68-55. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
In this Saturday, Jan. 27 2018 photo, Miles College Marching Band member and others take the field at the 16th annual Honda Battle of the Bands at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. No matter the event, HBCU bands are the reason people stay near their seats during halftime football games instead of going to the concession stands. Their show-stopping performances have made an imprint on pop culture, music and film. (AP Photo/Jonathan Landrum Jr.)
Morehouse Maroon Tigers cheer squad takes the floor for the start of the HBCU Classic at Oakland Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Tuskegee Golden Tigers center Tyshawn Boyce (32) battles Morehouse Maroon Tigers guard Omar Rowe (13) for a rebound during the first half of the HBCU Classic at Oakland Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
