SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Norfolk State teammates Christian Ings and Tyrel Bladen will take the floor together at least once more after the 2024-25 season concludes.
 
Ings and Bladen each earned a spot in the 2025 Men's Basketball HBCU All-Star Game, unveiled by the HBCU All Stars Foundation on Monday night. Both players will represent Team Al Attles at the event.
 
The HBCU All Star Game brings together some of the top senior basketball players at Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The game's mission is to uplift and support HBCU students and athletes by highlighting athletic achievement, elevating visibility, inspiring future generations, and giving back.
 
Ings earned All-MEAC Third Team honors, as well as a spot on the conference's All-Tournament Team, during a breakthrough year at the point guard position. The Philadelphia native averages 11.9 points and 3.2 assists per game, shooting 49.1 percent from the floor and 47.9 percent from behind the arc.
 
Bladen has played in 30 games for the Spartans this season, averaging 4.4 points and 3.4 rebounds per contest. He remains one of the most efficient players on the team with his shot-selection, making 55.6 percent of his attempts from the field.
 
The 2025 HBCU All-Star Game will take place in San Antonio, Texas on Sunday, April 6 at 1 p.m. EST. The matchup will air nationally on the CW Network.
 
Ings and Bladen will become the fourth and fifth Norfolk State players to play in the prestigious event. Joe Bryant Jr. and Kris Bankston represented NSU in 2023 before Allen Betrand earned the recognition in 2024.
 
After earning a No. 16 seed in the NCAA Tournament, the Spartans will face No. 1 seed Florida in the first round on Friday, Mar. 21 at 6:50 p.m. in Raleigh, N.C.
 
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