By Steven J. Gaither HBCU Gameday
Dawn Staley and South Carolina will welcome three HBCUs to Columbia for a Thanksgiving weekend built around women’s basketball, community service and NIL opportunities.
South Carolina women’s basketball officially announced the PowHER Player Classic on Thursday. North Carolina Central, Alabama A&M and Tennessee State will join the Gamecocks at Colonial Life Arena for the inaugural event.
Tournament play begins Saturday, Nov. 28. North Carolina Central will face Alabama A&M in the opener before South Carolina hosts Tennessee State. Sunday’s schedule will include a consolation game and championship game. Tipoff times will be finalized with South Carolina’s television schedule.
Basketball represents only one part of the experience. Rae Rose Media will coordinate a holiday-themed community service event Thursday, followed by an NIL Marketplace and Culture Night Kickoff Dinner Friday. Sponsor activations, educational sessions and networking opportunities will include athletes from all four teams.
Dawn Staley said basketball has always created access and opportunity, adding that its expanding reach should benefit players regardless of where they compete.
“I am passionate about making sure no young women who pour into our game get left behind in those expanding prospects,” Staley said.
The setup gives athletes from the participating HBCUs a chance to compete on an SEC stage while building relationships beyond basketball.
Dawn Staley extends longstanding HBCU connection
Several relationships connect the visiting programs to Dawn Staley. First-year North Carolina Central head coach Olivia Gaines played for South Carolina. Tennessee State coach Candice Dupree developed under Staley at Temple, while Tigers assistant Jacob Coltrane worked as a Gamecocks graduate assistant from 2018 through 2020.
The event also continues Staley’s consistent scheduling of HBCUs. South Carolina has played at least one HBCU during the regular season in 15 of her 18 seasons. The Gamecocks have also faced HBCU programs four times in NCAA Tournament play.
South Carolina owns a 3-0 series record against North Carolina Central and a 2-0 mark against Alabama A&M. The Gamecocks played NCCU during the 2025-26 season.
Rae Rose Media will handle the off-court programming. Company president and co-founder Erica Berman said the goal is to help women athletes convert growing visibility into lasting value.
For the three HBCUs, the PowHER Player Classic offers more than another nonconference date. It pairs high-profile competition with direct exposure to sponsors and guidance designed to strengthen athletes’ earning potential.
Tournament games are included in South Carolina women’s basketball season-ticket packages. Single-session tickets will become available later.
