Randall Barnes Articles - Page 16

NBA All-Star weekend is once again set to feature an HBCU basketball game, as North Carolina A&T and Hampton have been announced as the latest teams to participate in the showcase. The teams were announced on Tuesday morning via a statement and the game will be the first edition in the showcase to feature HBCU […]

As the season approaches, Michael Vick and Norfolk State have made key additions to their roster. The team announced the signing of three players to their 2025 recruiting class: former South Carolina State defensive tackle Rashawn Washington, former Wagner defensive lineman Cameron Darmody, and former North Alabama wide receiver JJ Evans. While a standout at […]

WNBA legend Sheryl Swoopes has achieved many things in her career, but her latest achievement might be her most monumental. Swoopes was inducted as an honorary member of the “Essence of Sisterhood” class of the Sigma Gamma Rho sorority. The Olympian joins Maui Bigelow, a social media maven and influencer; Dr. Kimberlyn Leary, a Harvard […]

As I’ve said many times before, Love Island USA is one of the most intriguing media viewing experiences that I’ve ever had in my life. We saw early in the season that it was unearthed that Yulissa had used racial slurs in a podcast interview from a couple of years ago. She was ultimately removed from the […]

Brennan Marion and Sacramento State have made history with their latest commitment. Per a report by On3 Sports’ Hayes Fawcett, the Hornets have landed wide receiver Xavier McDonald, who chose the program over Ole Miss and North Carolina. The commitment is huge as Sacramento State has clear FBS ambitions and a desire to build the […]

After joining Master P and the University of New Orleans in the Spring, Jamal Gibson is heading back to the HBCU basketball ranks with a new team. Xavier University of Louisiana announced that Gibson is committing to the program in a shocking move. Before transferring to the University of New Orleans, he played for Southern […]

The Lakers have been a focal point of the offseason, as the NBA community is looking to see both the future of LeBron James as well as if Rob Pelinka can build a contending roster. While the Lakers had a rather successful year given the circumstances, finishing third in the Western Conference despite early-season struggles […]

Two-time NBA champion and Jackson State legend Lindsey Hunter has been named the head coach of Sparta High School boy’s basketball team in Michigan, per a report by WAPT. The new position is a continuation of a unique basketball journey that started in the SWAC at both Alcorn State and Jackson State, then being drafted […]

The highly anticipated coaching debut of Michael Vick with his Norfolk State Spartans is set to get a national television audience. Per a report by the Virginian-Pilot, the Towson vs. Norfolk game is set to be broadcast on one of ESPN’s channels to be announced at a later date. This will be Norfolk State’s first […]

As DeSean Jackson approaches his first season as coach of Delaware State, he has never hesitated to show his appreciation to Deion Sanders for his coaching journey. While Sanders isn’t the first former NFL player to become an HBCU coach, he commanded attention at Jackson State like no other before him. In a recent appearance […]

The Los Angeles Lakers kicked off their 2025 offseason with a huge move, securing the services of DeAndre Ayton. This acquisition was a genuine surprise, as Ayton wasn’t widely expected to be available in free agency before being bought out by the Trailblazers. His arrival addresses a crucial need, shoring up the Lakers’ frontcourt and […]

While some NBA analysts and personalities see the reason that the Bucks waived Damian Lillard, such as Brian Windhorst, Bill Simmons was totally against the move. On the latest episode of his eponymous podcast, Simmons, never one to mince words, believed that the release of Lillard was a move out of inspiration and ultimately a […]

As free agency continues, trade speculation around LeBron James has continued to be a headline of the offseason. The conversations about James potentially being traded from the Lakers started to circulate after he opted into his $52.6 million option to return to the team for the upcoming season. To further enflame the conversations, Rich Paul’s […]

As the Lakers close in on a center option in free agency, it appears that the Jazz’s asking price for Walker Kessler is still unachievable per a report by Jovan Buha. “I’ve just heard nothing, but they want two picks plus a young player for Walker Kessler,” he said in the latest edition of his […]

In perhaps the most shocking move of NBA free agency thus far, Damian Lillard was waived by the Milwaukee Bucks to make room for their signing of Myles Turner. Lillard’s $113 million contract will be stretched as the multi-time All-Star guard rehabs his Achilles tendon injury and figures out his NBA future. On the latest […]

Two people were tragically killed after a shooting at a HBCU-affiliated Kappa Alpha Psi event in Atlanta over the weekend, per a report by the Atlanta-Journal Constitution. Atlanta police have confirmed the death of 23-year-old Justin Minnitee, who succumbed to his injuries after being hospitalized. According to witnesses, Minnitee arrived at a fraternity event and […]

As a first-time viewer, Love Island has been an absolute rollercoaster. While I appreciate its raw, realistic portrayal of relationships, the challenges often pull me out of the show’s element. Many can feel over the top and nasty, especially in a post-coronavirus world. However, today’s Mailbox Challenge was a remarkable exception. It offered a rare […]

Although LeBron James hasn’t formally requested a trade, it appears that several teams around the league are looking into ways that they can aquire the four-time NBA Champion. On today’s trade deadline edition of NBA Today, Dave McMenamin gave a pivotal update about the future of James with the Lakers and potential interest for his […]

After a awe-inspiring senior year with Alabama State, TJ Madlock earns an NBA opportunity with the Detroit Pistons. Madlock has signed with the Detroit Pistons’ NBA Summer League team, looking to make a great impression and possibly earn his way onto the main roster. he’s the second HBCU player to earn an NBA opportunity, joining […]

The Purdue University Boilermakers already landed an HBCU star on their football team in former Fort Valley State defensive lineman Josh Burney. Now, they’re bolstering their track and field roster with another HBCU star from the SIAC. Former Central State All-American high jumper Amarianna Lofton is headed to the Boilermakers after a phenomenal run with […]

The Memphis Grizzlies are adding an HBCU coach to their staff who is set to help them hone in on their talent. Tennessee State head coach Brian “Perry” Collins is departing the Tigers to join the in-state NBA squad, per a statement by the institution. The Daily Memphian reports that Collins will be joining the […]

This episode of Love Island USA made clear what viewers have known for weeks: Taylor truly didn’t like Olandria. Their awkward, often stonewalled connection, which had confounded the nation, finally ended during tonight’s latest recoupling. After only a few days with new islander Clarke, Taylor chose to couple with her over the three-week “connection” he […]

Even with the season swiftly approaching, DeSean Jackson is still building out his Delaware State team to compete in the fall. Jackson, a standout wide receiver in his pro career, just looked to bolster his wide receiver room by adding two players from the same high school that came off a dominant season: Jonathan Manley […]

A former Howard University star is getting a shot to make the NBA with the Miami Heat. Following the 2025 NBA Draft, the Miami Heat signed former Bison forward Steve Settle III to an Exhibit 10 contract.  The Exhibit 10 deal signed by Settle is a non-guaranteed training camp contract that could be converted into […]

Texas Southern University hit a high note this summer courtesy of Beyoncé’s BeyGOOD foundation. The foundation is gifting $100,000 to the Ocean of Soul, the university’s celebrated marching band. The contribution will be dedicated to advancing the band’s musical and academic excellence. The funds will support scholarships, recruitment efforts, and much-needed enhancements to the band’s […]

I won’t lie: Love Island USA has truly thrown me for a loop these past few episodes. From the shocking moment Jeremiah and Huda were broken up by America’s vote and her subsequent exit, to the Megan Thee Stallion appearance and the reveal of the new bombshells, Season 7 of Love Island very well might […]

Although Dallas Mavericks fans are on a high after drafting Cooper Flagg with the number one pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, Nick Wright has hit the team with a harsh reality. Wright is an ardent Luka Doncić supporter who even jokes around and calls the Lakers star his “large adult Slovenian son” often on […]

While no HBCU players were drafted this year, the NBA paid tribute to three basketball pioneers on Wednesday evening. Chuck Cooper, Earl Lloyd, and Nat “Sweetwater” Clifton, the first Black players drafted into and to play in the NBA, were posthumously celebrated for their courage and unwavering contributions to the integration and advancement of basketball. […]

Former Georgetown Hoya Thomas Sorber is getting the opportunity of a lifetime after being drafted by the Oklahoma City Thunder, who started the week by winning the 2025 NBA Championship. Sorber was selected with the 15th pick, giving the Thunder a talented center to further add needed depth to their front-line that helped them reign […]

ESPN NBA host Malika Andrews had a bit of a gaffe during Wednesday evening’s NBA Draft coverage. While speaking about the Portland Trail Blazers drafting Washington State guard Cedric Coward, who is landing with the Memphis Grizzlies via a draft night trade, she referred to him as Fox Sports 1 host Colin Cowherd. “The Portland […]

North Carolina A&T has made a historic hire that looks to further grow the trajectory of their golf program. The institution announced Tuesday the hiring of Mesha Levister as the new director of both the men’s and women’s golf programs. With the hire, Levister becomes the first female head coach of a men’s varsity sport […]

A group of HBCUs has partnered for a unique partnership that looks to expand access to higher education. Six HBCUs have joined forces to launch eHBCU, the first fully online, accredited HBCU consortium, announced on Wednesday. The goal is to expand access to HBCU education, leveraging a digital learning platform. The consortium of HBCUs that […]

Former Maryland and Purdue University hoops standout Whitney Bay is taking her coaching talents to an HBCU. She is set to become the new head women’s basketball coach of West Virginia State University, per a statement by the institution. “I’m incredibly honored and humbled to be named the head women’s basketball coach at WV State […]

HBCU alumna LaVon Bracy Davis finds herself facing a very interesting opponent in the Florida State Senate election: her brother Randolph Bracy. The seat, which represents a portion of metro Orlando, was left open following the passing of longtime state Senator Geraldine Thompson earlier this year LaVon Bracy Davis is an attorney who earned her […]

As Marvel’s new Disney+ series Ironheart is set to premiere on Tuesday night, series star Dominique Throne made a surprise appearance at Spelman College on last week. Spelman teamed up with the Black Women Film Network to host a STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) Fireside Chat featuring the editor and director of the Ironheart series. […]

The Southwestern Athletic Conference has revealed the student-athletes set to represent their teams at the 2025 SWAC Football Media Day. The event will take place on July 16 at the Sheraton Birmingham Hotel in Birmingham, Alabama and will be viewed on ESPN+. Each of the conference’s 12 teams will be represented by two student-athletes and […]

Kenny Blakeney and Howard University are set for a historic matchup against basketball superpower Duke University. The Bison are set to head to Cameron Indoor Stadium to participate in the annual Brotherhood Run. The Blue Devils are hosting the event that will showcase three programs led by alumni of Duke Basketball: Duke, Niagara, and Howard. […]

At New York’s Fanatics Fest, Michael Vick was interviewed about various topics in a live conversation with fans attending the event. He gave more details about his upcoming docuseries with BET chronicling his first year coaching Norfolk State. He was asked why he decided to work with BET for the project. “Oh, you already know […]

After the Pacers blowout 108-91 win over the Thunder to force Game 7, Oklahoma City coach Mark Daigneault put into perspective the problems that his team faced. “First of all, credit Indiana. I thought they, obviously, earned the win. They outplayed us for most of the 48 minutes, and that’s the story of the game,” […]