NCAA Basketball: 5 keys to a successful and continuing HBCU movement
HBCU programs in NCAA Basketball have never had this much recruiting momentum. How can they keep it up going forward?
On July 3rd, 5-star center, and 16th ranked NCAA Basketball prospect in the ESPN Top-100, Makur Maker (the cousin of Detroit Pistons Power Forward/Center, Thon Maker, and Rio Grande Valley Vipers Power Forward/Center, Matur Maker) shocked the nation by committing to Howard University (a Historically Black College/University or HBCU), over Kentucky, UCLA, and Memphis.
I was the 1st to announce my visit to Howard & other started to dream “what if”. I need to make the HBCU movement real so that others will follow. I hope I inspire guys like Mikey Williams to join me on this journey. I am committing to Howard U & coach Kenny Blakeney #MakerMob
— MK (@MakurMaker) July 3, 2020
https://www.instagram.com/p/CCLA7Q7B-7N/
It seems as though, Maker strongly believes in his version of the HBCU movement coming to fruition, and frankly, how could he not? He is well aware that several other top African American prospects are considering changing the game, by taking their talents to HBCUs, but none of them were sure if they wanted to start the trend.
Fortunately for them, Maker made it so that they no longer have to feel pressured to make the first move, which may result in them being more inclined to take the chance of a lifetime.
I know that to Maker, the HBCU movement would be a success if other future one and done players accepted his invitation to join him. However, if you really take some time to think about it, how successful would the movement really be if HBCU’s were only able to attract a specific group of players? Wouldn’t it then be classified as a one-dimensional movement?
Well, I can’t speak for others of course, but I can speak on my own behalf, and say that there are five key things that must happen in my eyes, in order for the HBCU movement to triumph when it is all said and done.