HOUSTON, Texas, December 12, 2022 -- In less than a week the Hampton University Pirates will face off against basketball rivals in the 2022 Boost Mobile Chris Paul HBCU Challenge,  December 17 and 18, at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas, NV. A total of four Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) were selected to compete this year, including Norfolk State University, Texas Southern University, and North Carolina A&T State University.

"We are proud to be a part of the Boost Mobile Chris Paul HBCU Challenge again. The tournament was a first-class event last year. We were able to expose our athletes to an amazing experience while simultaneously gaining exposure for our basketball program. We are truly grateful to Chris for what he has done for Hampton University Men's Basketball, but more importantly for the advocacy, intentionality, resources, time, and opportunities he is dedicating to the advancement of our Historically Black Colleges and Universities." – Edward "Buck" Joyner, Head Coach of Hampton University Men's Basketball.

This is the second year Boost Mobile has worked with Chris Paul and the Basketball Hall of Fame to sponsor the event, and Boost Mobile locations around Hampton are joining with their communities in support of the Pirates.

"Boost Mobile has always supported events that are truly making a difference for local teams and under-represented communities. Giving HBCU student-athletes a national stage is something we are very proud of." said Stephen Sokols, head of Boost Mobile.

Game and ticket information are available at hoophall.com/events/chris-paul-hbcu-challenge/,  and local fans can view broadcasts of the tournament on ESPN+ for Saturday's 4pm EST game with Norfolk State. On Sunday, the Pirates will take on Texas Southern at 6:30 pm on ESPNU.

Outside of his phenomenal career on the court, Chris Paul is widely known as a philanthropist, entrepreneur, and supporter of HBCUs. "We are so excited for the second year of our HBCU Tip-Off. It is great to work with our partners to give these student athletes a national stage they may not otherwise have," said Paul. "I hope these events give these players an experience that they'll remember for the rest of their lives. We love Boost Mobile as a partner because of their commitment to HBCU schools and athletes in partnership with this event."

About Boost Mobile
Boost Mobile provides award-winning, best-in-class value and connectivity to U.S. wireless consumers on America's largest 5G networks and competitive consumer plans with no annual service contracts. Boost Mobile operates on DISH Wireless L.L.C., a subsidiary of DISH Network Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH), and serves as its largest retail wireless brand. DISH, a nationwide U.S. wireless carrier, continues to innovate in wireless, building America's First Smart Network™. Learn more about Boost Mobile online on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.
 

About Chris Paul
Chris Paul is a twelve-time NBA All-Star and two-time Olympic Gold medalist. He was recently named to the NBA's 75th Anniversary team as one of the 75 greatest players in NBA history. Last year, Paul became the first player in league history to record 20,000 points and 10,000 assists in their career. He ranks third place on the NBA all-time career assists list. He served as the former President of the National Basketball Players Association from 2013 until 2021. The Chris Paul Family Foundation continues to provide resources that enrich and strengthen underserved communities across the country. His philanthropic efforts have earned him the 2016 ESPYs "Humanitarian of the Year" award, 2016 Mannie Jackson Human Spirit Award, the NBA Community Assist Award five times, and most recently the inaugural Kobe and Gigi Bryant Advocacy Award for his significant advancement of girls' and women's basketball.

About the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame:
Located in Springfield, Mass., the city where basketball was born, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is an independent non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting, preserving and celebrating the game of basketball at every level – men and women, amateur and professional players, coaches and contributors, both domestically and internationally. The Hall of Fame museum is home to more than 400 inductees and over 40,000 square feet of basketball history. Nearly 200,000 people visit the Hall of Fame museum each year to learn about the game, experience the interactive exhibits and test their skills on the Jerry Colangelo "Court of Dreams." Best known for its annual marquee Enshrinement Ceremony honoring the game's elite, the Hall of Fame also operates over 70 high school and collegiate competitions annually throughout the country and abroad. For more information on the Basketball Hall of Fame organization, its museum and events, visit www.hoophall.com, follow @hoophall or call 1-877-4HOOPLA.