Burr Floods With Stars for Celebrity Basketball Game

On a chilly night, students and fans filled the seats of the newly renovated Burr Gymnasium for the homecoming celebrity basketball game. In a corner of the gym, DJ Chubb E Swagg played popular tracks bringing everyone to their feet. As the lights dimmed and HU emcee, Jae Murphy took the floor, the building went wild with anticipation for the stars.

Despite the late start, the star-studded event kept the stands of spectators attentive and entertained.

The game featured a variety of familiar celebrities, And-1 street ballers and even a surprise appearance of legendary democrat and DC Councilman, Marion Barry.

Actor, Omari Hardwick of the Tyler Perry film, For Colored Girls, Keith Robison of the film Dream Girls and Dennis White of the film Notorious were a few of the stars suited up for game.

"Overall it was a good show," said sophomore, African American studies major, Christen Black. "I knew of a few of the players and recognized a few others so I had a good time."

The heart of the event was half time where Atlanta based -rapper, Future took over the floor and performed his hit song, Tony Montana. Everyone in the building danced and cheered as the rapper took over the show.

"It was cool being back even though I've had better experiences at previous celebrity basketball games," said alumna, May 2010 Howard graduate , Kara Adams. "But the half time show with Future was definitely my favorite part and Tocarra looked amazing, she definitely did her thing."

Tocarra Jones from the third cycle of the television series "America's Top Model" brought a unique and lively energy to the building while serving as the head coach of the White team while Tierra Hodge of Bad Girl ‘s Club: season 7 served as assistant coach. The team consisted of celeb sensations including former BET Rap City: The Basement host, Big Tigga and former Roc-a-Fella Records artist Young Chris of the Philadelphia duo the Young Gunz. Television favorites such as actor, and choreographer, Derrin Henson who has starred in productions such as Stomp the Yard and the Showtime series, Soul Food represented for the white team as well.

Rapper, Singer and Actress, Teyana Taylor held down the Blue team as head coach with R&B singer, Olivia serving as assistant coach for the men. The Blue Team was represented by celebs such as actor, Antwon Tanner of the series One Tree Hill and the film Coach Carter and Sam Jones of the series Smallwood.

To add flare to the line-up, a plethora of And-1 Street ballers including Circus, Africa and Prime Objective were split amongst both teams as well as HU Intramural Basketball team players.

The first quarter of the game commenced with a bang with both teams matching one another in points. But shortly after the white team fell behind and began to trail the blue team for the rest of the game. With both teams showing out on the court by slamming down dunks, smacking away shots, passing half-court alley-oops and even players making assists with their feet, the event never spared a dull moment.

"It was exciting and a lot of the And-1 players were doing their thing out there so they made it a pretty interesting game," said freshman, mechanical engineering major, Timothy Hill. "It was actually better than I expected and I enjoyed it a lot."

Even time outs were live with free give-aways to the audience, raffles and a sharp performance by the HU dance team R.A.M.P.A.G.E.

Up to the very last seconds of the game where a countdown from the audience began, the players on the court put on a show resulting in a 110-92 Blue Team victory.

"This was a great game," actor and game attendee, Darrin Henson said to the crowd. "Howard always shows you a good time."