2024 HBCUAC Preseason Men’s Basketball All-Conference Teams and Rankings Announced

The Historically Black Colleges and Universities Athletic Conference (HBCUAC) has announced its 2024 Preseason Men’s Basketball All-HBCUAC First and Second Teams, along with the Preseason Team Rankings, as selected by the conference’s head men’s basketball coaches. The player and team points are based on rankings submitted by each coach.

After a standout freshman season, Jamal Gibson from Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO) has been named the 2024 Preseason HBCUAC Men’s Basketball Player of the Year, earning 51 votes. Gibson’s impressive stats from last season include an average of 21.0 points, 15.8 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks per game, setting SUNO records for points (630), rebounds (474), and double-doubles (29). He received numerous accolades, including GCAC Player and Freshman of the Year, as well as selections to the NAIA All-American Third Team and Louisiana Sports Writer Association All-Louisiana Third Team.

The remainder of the First Team roster includes:

• Raymond Reece, Philander Smith University: Averaged a double-double with 16 points and 10.3 rebounds per game; recognized as an All-Defensive Team and First Team All-Conference Selection.
• Tory Cargo, Dillard University: Contributed 15.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game; earned 2023-24 First Team All-Conference honors.
• Antonio Patterson, Tougaloo College: Recorded 12.6 points, 6.7 rebounds, and two assists per game.
• Tyon Thompson, Southern University at New Orleans: Previously at Fisk University, achieved Second Team All-Conference honors with averages of 14.6 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game.

Preseason All-HBCUAC Second Team members include Jalil Langston (University of the Virgin Islands), Demarius Pitts (Wiley University), Armond Williams (Dillard), Amorey Womack (Philander Smith), and Michael Ashley (Fisk).

The 2024 Preseason Team Rankings also feature projections from head men’s basketball coaches. Philander Smith University, the reigning GCAC Men’s Basketball Champions, leads the rankings with 140 points and four first-place votes. Tougaloo College, the regular-season champion, is a close second with 129 points and four first-place votes. The full preseason rankings are as follows:

1. Philander Smith University – 140 (4)
2. Tougaloo College – 129 (4)
3. Talladega College – 116
4. Dillard University – 113 (2)
5. Stillman College – 110 (1)
6. Southern University at New Orleans – 97
7. Wiley University – 92 (1)
8. Rust College – 65
9. Fisk University – 62
10. Voorhees University – 51
11. University of the Virgin Islands – 40
12. Wilberforce University – 39
13. Oakwood University – 38