ATLANTA, Ga. — Morehouse College continues to make its mark on the national baseball scene as Robert Robinson Jr. and Elijah Pinckney have been selected to compete in the 2026 Minority Baseball Prospects (MBP) HBCU All-Star Game, showcasing two of the nation’s top HBCU baseball talents.

The annual event, set for June 6 at Atrium Health Ballpark in Kannapolis, North Carolina, brings together elite players from Historically Black Colleges and Universities while providing exposure to professional scouts and celebrating the legacy of Black college baseball.

Maroon Tigers Represent on National Stage

Robinson and Pinckney will suit up for Team Wilbert Ellis, named in honor of legendary Grambling State coach Wilbert Ellis, who amassed more than 700 career victories and multiple SWAC championships. They’ll face Team Larry Watkins, recognizing the former Alabama State coach who guided the Hornets to over 500 wins during a distinguished 30-year career.

The selections continue Morehouse’s growing presence in the prestigious showcase. Robinson and Pinckney become the fourth and fifth Maroon Tigers to participate, joining program standouts Derrick Odom, Jaiden Proper, and Casey Coates.

Pinckney also makes history as the first two-time MBP HBCU All-Star selection in Morehouse baseball history, having previously competed in the 2025 event.

Historic Season for Morehouse Baseball

The duo helped power Morehouse to one of its best seasons ever, finishing 25-21 overall and 17-14 in SIAC play. The Maroon Tigers recorded their highest conference finish in nearly 20 years, reached the deepest SIAC Tournament run of the modern era, and earned their first appearance in the Black College Nines Top 10 Poll.

Robinson Emerges as One of SIAC’s Top Sluggers

Junior standout Robert Robinson Jr. put together an outstanding offensive campaign, batting .379 with:

• 58 hits
• 47 runs scored
• 13 home runs
• 44 RBIs
• 9 doubles
• .693 slugging percentage
• .505 on-base percentage

Robinson also displayed exceptional versatility, posting a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage while splitting time between catcher and first base.

His breakout season earned him:

• SIAC First Team Designated Hitter
• SIAC Second Team Catcher
• NCBWA Second Team All-South Region
• D2CCA Second Team All-South Region

Pinckney Caps Legendary Career

Senior shortstop Elijah Pinckney closes his Morehouse career as one of the greatest players in program history.

During the 2026 season, he hit .331 with:

• 51 hits
• 16 doubles
• 38 RBIs
• 36 walks
• .465 on-base percentage

Pinckney earned Second Team All-SIAC honors while also receiving the prestigious SIAC Elite-16 Award, recognizing the conference’s top student-athlete for academic excellence.

His four-year career numbers are equally impressive:

• .370 career batting average
• 214 hits
• 195 runs scored
• 54 doubles
• 134 RBIs
• 52 stolen bases

His impact reached beyond statistics. Pinckney became just the second baseball player in Morehouse history to have his jersey retired and only the third student-athlete in school history to receive that honor.

He also made history as the first NCAA Division II player selected to the HBCU Swingman Classic, while earning the T-Mobile Impact Award and multiple Black College Nines recognitions for his leadership on and off the field.

Building the Future of HBCU Baseball

The MBP HBCU All-Star Game has become one of the premier postseason showcases for HBCU baseball, connecting top student-athletes with professional scouts while celebrating the excellence and tradition of Black college baseball.

For Robinson and Pinckney, the selection is another milestone in remarkable careers and another example of Morehouse Baseball’s continued rise on the national stage. As they head to Kannapolis, they’ll carry the Maroon Tiger legacy while representing the talent, leadership, and academic excellence that define HBCU athletics.

ATLANTA, Ga. — Morehouse College student-athlete Jaelon “J.T.” Ridley has been selected as a recipient of the prestigious 2026 Dr. Charles L. Sifford Scholarship, recognizing his academic achievement, leadership, and commitment to excellence both on and off the golf course.

The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) announced that Ridley was chosen as one of only 12 students nationwide for the scholarship’s fourth cohort. The recipients were selected from a highly competitive pool of applicants representing Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) across the country.

Ridley recently completed his first season competing for the Morehouse Maroon Tigers and now joins an elite group of scholars carrying forward the legacy of one of golf’s most influential pioneers.

Established in 2022, the Dr. Charles L. Sifford Scholarship Fund honors the groundbreaking achievements of Dr. Charles “Charlie” L. Sifford, who became the first Black golfer to earn a PGA Tour card in 1961. The scholarship was created to help support tuition expenses for students attending HBCUs and those enrolled in accredited PGA of America Golf Management Programs.

For Ridley, the recognition represents more than financial assistance. It connects him to a legacy of perseverance, opportunity, and progress in a sport where African Americans have historically faced significant barriers.

The scholarship is supported by the Cobbs Creek Foundation, which serves as the fund’s fiscal sponsor. The historic Philadelphia golf course holds a special place in golf history, having welcomed Black and women golfers since its founding in 1916 and serving as the home course of Dr. Sifford during his years as a Philadelphia resident.

Ridley’s selection highlights the continued impact HBCU student-athletes are making in collegiate athletics and beyond. As Morehouse College continues to develop leaders in every field, Ridley’s accomplishment stands as another example of the excellence found throughout HBCU campuses nationwide.

The honor not only celebrates Ridley’s achievements but also reinforces the importance of creating pathways that support future generations of Black golfers, scholars, and leaders.

With the support of the Sifford Scholarship, Ridley joins a growing community of students dedicated to carrying forward the values of academic excellence, leadership, and service that have long defined both Morehouse College and the HBCU experience.

The Allstate HBCU Legacy Bowl is entering a new era.

The Black College Football Hall of Fame has officially announced that the premier HBCU postseason all-star game will relocate from New Orleans to Atlanta beginning in 2027. The sixth annual HBCU Legacy Bowl is scheduled to take place on February 27, 2027, at Center Parc Stadium in downtown Atlanta.

Since its launch in 2021, the HBCU Legacy Bowl has become one of the most important showcases for draft-eligible HBCU football players, giving student-athletes the opportunity to perform in front of NFL scouts, coaches, and executives from all 32 NFL teams.

According to event organizers, the move to Atlanta is designed to create greater opportunities for athletes, coaches, students, and corporate partners while expanding the reach of the event’s highly successful Career Fair.

“Atlanta represents tremendous growth and opportunity for the Allstate HBCU Legacy Bowl and the young people we serve,” said Doug Williams, Super Bowl XXII MVP and co-founder of the Black College Football Hall of Fame. “We believe this next chapter will elevate the experience for our students, fans, partners, and NFL scouts while continuing to honor the proud traditions and lasting impact of HBCU football.”

Williams and fellow Black College Football Hall of Fame co-founder James “Shack” Harris launched the HBCU Legacy Bowl in 2021. Over the past five years, the event has been hosted at Tulane University’s Yulman Stadium in New Orleans with support from the NFL and the New Orleans Saints organization.

The game features top talent from HBCU programs across the country, including players from the SWAC, MEAC, CIAA, SIAC, independent HBCUs, and NAIA programs. Participants are divided into Team Gaither and Team Robinson, named after legendary coaches Jake Gaither and Eddie G. Robinson.

Beyond football, the HBCU Legacy Bowl has established itself as a powerful platform for career development. The annual Career Fair connects HBCU students and graduates with leading employers, professional organizations, and networking opportunities that extend well beyond the playing field.

“Atlanta offers increased accessibility, expanded accommodations, and a broader platform to continue growing the impact of our mission,” organizers noted.

James “Shack” Harris emphasized the importance of continued support from Allstate, stating that the partnership has helped transform the event into a premier opportunity for HBCU student-athletes while creating meaningful career pathways for students and graduates.

With Atlanta’s rich HBCU culture, thriving business community, and status as a major transportation hub, many believe the move will further elevate the national profile of the HBCU Legacy Bowl and the talented athletes it showcases.

As the event prepares for its next chapter, one thing remains unchanged: its mission to celebrate HBCU excellence while opening doors to opportunities both on and off the field.

Former HBCU basketball standout Xavier Mills is continuing to expand his presence in Hollywood, landing another notable role that further elevates his growing acting career.

Mills, a former player at Winston-Salem State University, appears in the new Amazon/MGM thriller Is God Is, sharing the screen with Emmy-winning actor Sterling K. Brown. In the film, Mills plays Brown’s son, marking one of his most high-profile roles to date.

The project adds another major credit to a résumé that is quickly gaining momentum across film and television. Adapted from Aleshea Harris’ award-winning stage play, Is God Is centers on a dark, revenge-driven narrative rooted in family trauma and emotional intensity, featuring a cast that also includes Vivica A. Fox and Erika Alexander.

For Mills, the opportunity represents more than just another acting job—it is another step in a transition from athlete to working actor on major productions.

The Greenville, North Carolina native has been steadily building his profile in the entertainment industry. Many audiences first became familiar with him through his role as football player Nishan Leonard in Hulu’s Chad Powers, with Mills also set to return for the show’s upcoming second season.

His athletic background remains a defining part of his on-screen identity. Mills has spoken about how his experience as a college athlete helps him bring authenticity to sports-related roles, emphasizing discipline, preparation, and mindset.

He has also appeared alongside Wanda Sykes in Undercard and is expected to feature in Netflix’s upcoming project Fight for 84, further broadening his portfolio across genres.

Working on Is God Is also gave Mills the chance to learn from seasoned performers like Sterling K. Brown, whom he has credited with teaching him the importance of preparation, presence, and composure on set.

As his career continues to evolve, Mills represents a growing wave of former HBCU athletes finding new lanes in entertainment while carrying their athletic discipline into creative spaces.

For Mills, the mission remains centered on growth, faith, and longevity—both on screen and beyond it.

Credit: Story originally reported by Steven J. Gaither, HBCU Gameday (via Kansas City Star / McClatchy distribution) | Updated May 25, 2026