North Carolina A&T Basketball Shocks Conference—Historic Upset Ignites March Madness Buzz

The Aggies Are Headed West: North Carolina A&T Basketball Prepares for Historic 2026 HBCU Classic North Carolina A&T State University’s basketball spotlight is shifting to Los Angeles, where the Aggies men will square off with long-time rival Hampton University on February 13, 2026 at the Kia Forum as part of NBA All-Star Weekend’s HBCU Classic. The nationally televised game promises a coast-to-coast showcase for both programs, amplifying exposure for the Aggies’ first full season under head coach Monté Ross in the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA). Why the 2026 HBCU Classic Matters • Prime-time visibility: The NBA’s All-Star stage places North Carolina A&T in front of a global audience, a recruiting boon for an HBCU that already leads the nation in Black engineering graduates. • CAA statement game: Since joining the CAA, the Aggies have targeted postseason relevance. Beating Hampton on a neutral NBA floor would validate the rebuild Ross began in Greensboro last spring. • NIL and fundraising surge: Athletic administrators confirm an uptick in donor interest since the Classic was announced, with several Los Angeles-based Aggie alumni chapters planning weekend events to support student-athletes. Scouting the Matchup Hampton drubbed A&T 82-61 in last year’s Classic, but both rosters look different. The Aggies retooled through the transfer portal, adding 6-10 rim protector Khalen “KJ” Mims from Wichita State and sharpshooter Jamal Pearson (41 % career three-point mark) from Charleston Southern. Hampton counters with All-CAA first-team guard Marquis Godwin, whose 20-point average fuels the Pirates’ up-tempo attack. The key battleground will be the glass: A&T ranked third in the league in offensive rebounds; Hampton was 10th in defensive-rebound percentage. Women’s Program Riding Momentum Into February On the women’s side, Tarrell Robinson’s squad earned a signature comeback win this week, erasing a 15-point deficit to stun UNCW behind graduate guard Rori Cox’s career-high 33 points. The victory moved the Aggies to 17-6 overall and solidified their push for a top-two seed in the CAA tournament. Their success caught ESPN’s attention: SportsCenter will broadcast live from Corbett Sports Center on February 20, giving A&T another national spotlight. Key Players to Watch • Rori Cox, G, Grad: Leads the conference in free-throw attempts and is on pace for 2,000 career points. • Chanin Scott, F, Sr.: A versatile 6-2 defender who averages 8.3 rebounds and often guards 1-through-4. • Elijah Hawkins, G, Jr. (men): The Howard transfer quarterbacks Ross’s offense; his 6.9 assists per game rank top-15 nationally. What This Means for Greensboro and Beyond Tourism officials project more than 4,000 Aggie fans will travel to Southern California, generating an estimated $6 million in ancillary spending. Meanwhile, local businesses in Greensboro are organizing “Watch West” viewing parties, reinforcing the Aggies’ brand back home. Search-Friendly Takeaways • North Carolina A&T basketball vs Hampton University 2026 HBCU Classic Los Angeles preview • Aggies men rebuild under Monté Ross, transfer additions KJ Mims and Jamal Pearson • A&T women surge behind Rori Cox; ESPN SportsCenter live from Corbett Sports Center • How the HBCU Classic and CAA play elevate North Carolina A&T recruiting and NIL Looking Ahead After the HBCU Classic, the Aggies men return to league play at UNCW on March 1, a matchup that could determine seeding at the CAA Championship in Washington, D.C. The women close their regular season with back-to-back home games that could clinch their first at-large bid to the NCAA tournament since 2018. From Los Angeles lights to Greensboro grit, North Carolina A&T basketball enters the season’s stretch run with unmatched momentum—and an unprecedented national stage to prove the Aggies belong among college basketball’s must-watch programs.