WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – On Saturday, August 5, 2023, three former Winston-Salem State University basketball players will hit the court playing in the HBCU All-Star Dream Classic at the historic Rucker Park in Harlem, New York.
The event will host Men's and Women's All-Star basketball games featuring recently graduated players from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU), who are now eligible for NBA, WNBA, ABA, Big 3, European, and other Professional league opportunities.
Robert Colon (2016-2020) who played with the Rams men's basketball team will be joined by
Cameron Campbell (2020-21) and from the women's team Raven Fields (2012-2014) will represent their alma mater.
Tickets to the event can be found at Eventbrite.
Speaking on the opportunity they each had this to say:
"Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen", said Colon.
"To me, the significance of playing in this game is that it's the first so I'm honored to be a part of history," said Campbell. "It is being played at a historical park in Rucker Park and this a chance to shine and showcase major exposure on HBCU's as far as our culture, athletics, and history. I am honored to have been chosen to play in this event and look forward to showcasing my talents.
"Believe in yourself even more on the days you feel alone, and you will realize that God is always with you," said Fields.
Quick Background info on each player:
Rob: He finished his career with the Rams' as the fifth-highest-scoring player in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), averaging 16.9 points per game. He played in all 29 games with 23 starts. During the season, he moved into the top ten scoring career scoring list for WSSU men's basketball. His best game of the season came against Johnson C. Smith when he scored 31 points in the game. He also scored at least 20 points in 13 games last season. He also scored 28 points at Lincoln (Pa.). For his efforts, Robert was selected for the 2019-20 CIAA All-Conference team, the 2020 CIAA All-Tournament team, and he was named the 2020 CIAA Men's Basketball Championship Tournament MVP. He was also named to the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) All-District team as well as being named a BOXTOROW All-American.
Cameron: He played in 22 games, starting 20 for the Rams. Campbell averaged 11.6 points, 9.8 in field goal attempts, .423 in field-goal percentage, .343 in three-point field goal percentage, averages 3.4 rebounds per game, 0.6 steals per game, and was named HBCU Men's Player of the Week recipient at least once during the season. He was second on the team in points with 201, and finished 11th in scoring in the CIAA (12.5 ppg). Some of his other accolades include being 1,000 point scorer (2022), 2X First Team All-CIAA Backcourt (2019), (2022) First Player in CIAA to be named all-conference at two different schools, 2X HBCU ALL-STAR Player of the Week (2022), Carolina/South Carolina HBCU All-star Game MVP (2022)
Raven: Joined the Lady Rams in January of 2013 and turned into one of the key players on the team. She saw time in 18 games with nine starts and finished the season with 56 total points scored and added five blocked shots. She also pulled in 29 rebounds and scored a career-high 12 points against Shaw and added 11 points at Saint Augustine's. She pulled in a career-high four rebounds against Livingstone twice.
About the HBCU Allstar Dream Classic
40+ of the best HBCU Basketball players in the world have accepted an invitation to play in the inaugural HBCU Allstar Dream Classic at Rucker Park in Harlem New York. The historic event will have Men's and Women's All-Star Basketball games, D9 Step Performances, Bands, Cheerleaders, DJ/MC/"Live" Music, and Scholarship Awards.
The HBCU Allstar Dream Classic is managed by Harlem nonprofit Bridging Structural Holes, Inc. The Co-Producers are Rachel E. Naughton, Saint Paul's College Va, and Darryl K. Roberts, Lincoln University Pa. The overriding strategy was to produce an engagement event for HBCUs, Community, and Corporate Brands.
