HAMPTON, VA- Hampton alumni Jermaine Marrow and Malique Trent and former Pirate Amir Smith are representing HBCU hoops with team HBCU United in The Basketball Tournament regional round being played at the infamous Rucker Park.
HBCU United has two wins under their belt and are one game away from advancing out of regionals and four games away from bringing the one-million-dollar winner-take-all cash prize home.
"It's definitely bigger than the cash prize; for us, it is a brotherhood," said Marrow. "We all went to HBCUs; we all know how HBCUs get looked at. We get looked down upon. We are the underdogs, and so we know what we have to do."
The players emphasized that this tournament run is about respect for themselves and all HBCU student-athletes.
They spoke with both confidence and conviction when it came to the realization that they are playing against guys who have played in the league, overseas, and for collegiate basketball powerhouses.
"Teams come out from the jump not thinking much of us," said Smith. "They think they have a walk in the park, but once they see what HBCU United is made of, they're on their heels quick. We take advantage of that, and we just keep pushing and pushing.
A layup from Marrow put the nail in the coffin for HBCU United in Sunday night's 66-59 win over team YGC (Marcus Smart). The trio of former Pirates scored half of HBCU United's points. Trent led all-scorers in the contest totaling 16 points, and Marrow followed up with an 11-point performance.
Sunday's opening round win over team Skip to My Lou was a nailbiter, but Trent helped HBCU United escape the Elam ending by knocking down a three-pointer after multiple game-point shot attempts. Both Trent and Marrow ended the game in double-digit scoring, while former MEAC opponent now teammate Brandon Tabb led the charge for HBCU United with 14 points.
"Being at the Rucker in New York is legendary and to come here and make a shot like that is probably one of the greatest experiences I have had in basketball in my life," said Trent.
Jermaine Marrow played all four seasons for the Pirates and finished his career as the All-Time Leading Scorer totaling 2,680 points to pass the great Rick Mahorn. The Newport News, VA native, averaged 21 points, four assists, and shot 78% from the free throw line during his collegiate career.
Marrow's career-high at Hampton came his junior season with a 40-point performance against Campbell. He recorded a double-double with 36 points and ten assist against Radford his senior year.
Malique Trent played one season for the Pirates, 2017-18. During his time at Hampton, Trent averaged 13.3 points, four rebounds, and 3.4 assists, while shooting over 50 percent from the field.
Trent was critical in helping the top-seeded Pirates advance to the MEAC finals. The Portsmouth, VA native had a 25-point performance, seven assists, and four rebounds.
Amir Smith played a single season with the Hampton Pirates taking the floor 14 games. He is currently having great success playing overseas.
"It's one thing to coach these young men during the short time they have here at Hampton, but it is next level to see them on ESPN competing and fighting for the recognition and respect of all HBCUs," said head coach Edward Joyner. "To get this next win and advance would be huge for these games, and I am proud of those guys."
Team HBCU United is comprised of a roster loaded with HBCU talent from institutions spanning the east coast. The team is led by Norfolk State's head coach Robert Jones.
"It's bigger than just wearing HBCU United; this is really for all HBCUs," said Jones. "A lot of the stuff we do gets minimized. We get minimized as coaches, they get minimized as players, and there are HBCU coaches and players that can do anything anybody else can do. This is another platform to show that."
For more information on Hampton University men's basketball, please contact the Office of Sports Information at
757-727-5757 or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com.
