A week and a half before the SLAM Summer Classic Vol. 6 shut down Rucker Park, the legendary Harlem playground hosted another special event that’s become a New York basketball summer staple: the HBCU All-Star Dream Classic. After a successful inaugural event in 2023, it returned this year bigger and better.
Harlem native Darryl Roberts is the founder of Bridging Structural Holes, a nonprofit that spearheads the HBCU All-Star Dream Classic. Like many young hoopers, he dreamed of playing at a high major. Instead, his opportunity came at Lincoln University, the nation’s first degree-granting HBCU.
“I fell in love with HBCU culture. My HBCU foundation is pure and authentic,” Darryl says. “And so are my Harlem roots.
“Anybody who hasn’t lived underneath a manhole cover understands that Harlem is the epicenter of Black excellence, Black culture and Black creativity,” he adds. “So when we were looking for a location [for the HBCU All-Star Dream Classic], there was no second choice because we wanted to do things outside of sports to inspire kids as well.” This year’s Classic had it all: an HBCU resource center; food from Charles Pan-Fried Chicken on the adjacent handball courts; AKAs strolling by, and a youth marching band playing during game breaks.
There were boosters chanting from the baseline; classic Marvin Gaye blasting from the speakers. And even Harlem’s own Pee Wee Kirkland. If you didn’t know any better, you’d think you were at the Greatest Homec.