NORFOLK, Va. — The Norfolk State men's basketball team heads to Atlanta, Georgia, for the 2025 Chris Paul HBCU Challenge, hosted at Gateway Center Arena. Joining the Spartans in this year's field are Grambling State, Hampton, and Jackson State.
ABOUT THE SPARTANS
- Head coach Robert Jones, in his 13th season, sits just 10 wins shy of career victory No. 250.
- Norfolk State looks to secure its first road win of the 2025–26 campaign.
- Thursday's contest marks the fourth game of a 10-game road stretch spanning 48 days between home contests (Nov. 25 vs. VUL to Jan. 12 vs. Maryland Eastern Shore).
- During the stretch, the Spartans will travel approximately 14,900 miles.
LAST TIME OUT
Norfolk State fell on the road at Baylor University, 97–67, in Waco, Texas.
- Anthony McComb III was one key to the offense scoring 19 points with six rebounds, one assist and two steals
- Elijah Jamison added a second offensive option with 19 points, five rebounds and one assist
- Devon Ellis registered 10 points, three rebounds and two assists, while Jordan Leaks contributed 10 points, two rebounds and four steals
- Team Comparisons
- FG%: NSU 38.3 | Baylor 52.9
- Rebounds: NSU 30 | Baylor 42
- Bench Points: NSU 7 | Baylor 21
- Points in the Paint: NSU 32 | Baylor 54
NSU IN THE CP3 HBCU CHALLENGE
Norfolk State will compete in its fourth Chris Paul HBCU Challenge, owning a perfect 6–0 record in the event.
- Previous Results
- 2024: def. Alabama State, 71–54; def. Grambling State, 76–70
- 2022: def. Hampton, 78–66; def. N.C. A&T, 70–66
- 2021: def. Hampton, 70–61; def. Grambling State, 70–63
ABOUT GRAMBLING STATE
Grambling State enters Thursday's matchup with a 3–6 overall record, following a 68–60 road loss at Southern Miss on Monday, Dec. 8.
- The Tigers will have 10 days of rest between contests.
- GSU has not played a home game since Nov. 13, when it hosted Southern Miss for its most recent win.
- Roderick Coffee III led the Tigers with 16 points against Southern Miss, while Antonio Munoz added 14.
- Randarius Jones paced Grambling on the glass with eight rebounds.
- Team Leaders
- Munoz leads GSU in scoring at 12.2 ppg, the only Tiger averaging double figures.
- Derrius Ward and Jamil Muttilib each average 9.3 ppg, Coffee adds 9.2 ppg, and Jimel Lane contributes 9.1 ppg.
- Lane leads the team in rebounding at 4.7 rpg, with Coffee close behind at 4.3 rpg.
- Team Stats
- GSU averages 69.4 ppg, compared to Norfolk State's 77.5 ppg.
- Shooting: 44.1% FG, 32.5% 3FG, 70.3% FT.
- Head coach Patrick Crarey is in his first season at Grambling State and ninth overall as a collegiate head coach.
NSU VS. GRAMBLING STATE
- Thursday's game marks the fifth all-time meeting between the programs.
- Norfolk State holds a 3–1 series advantage and has won three straight against the Tigers.
- The Spartans claimed a 76–70 victory in the most recent meeting during the 2024 Chris Paul HBCU Challenge.
ABOUT JACKSON STATE
Jackson State enters the Challenge with a 1–9 overall record following a 93–53 loss at Northwestern on Saturday, Dec. 13.
- JSU has not played a home game since Nov. 23, a loss to Winthrop.
- The Tigers' lone win came on Nov. 28 at Louisiana, a 51–45 road victory.
- Individual Leaders
- Daeshun Ruffin led JSU with 20 points against Northwestern and leads the team at 14.9 ppg.
- Jayme Mitchell Jr. averages 12.4 ppg, while Dorian McMillian adds 10.2 ppg.
- Dionjahe Thomas leads the Tigers in rebounding at 5.0 rpg, followed by McMillian at 3.9 rpg.
- Team Stats
- Jackson State averages 58.0 ppg, while allowing 90.0 ppg.
- Shooting: 34.7% FG, 29.6% 3FG, 72.8% FT.
- Head coach Mo Williams is in his sixth season overall and fourth leading Jackson State.
NSU VS. JACKSON STATE
Friday's matchup will be the first meeting between Norfolk State and Jackson State.
UP NEXT
Norfolk State faces a quick turnaround, traveling to the WestStar Don Haskins Sun Bowl Basketball Invitational. The Spartans will take on host UTEP on Sunday, Dec. 21, at 9 p.m. ET, before facing either North Dakota State or UC Irvine on Monday, Dec. 22.
