HBCU notebook: Howard’s Portugal trip is a successful foundation

Howard University guard Ariella Henigan made sure of that. One wicked crossover dribble from the Chicago native sent a defender sprawling to the floor, and suddenly the Bison’s overseas business trip turned into a viral highlight reel.

Veteran head coach Ty Grace could only laugh.

“I don’t want to give too much away, but there are already too many clips on social media,” Grace told The Next with a grin after Howard wrapped up its international tour earlier this month.

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Henigan’s move may have stolen the spotlight, but the Bison brought home more than three wins and a viral moment. The bigger prize, Grace insists, was something less flashy, but far more valuable: chemistry and lifetime memories for her program.

“I was proud the team played well especially with not having played together against outside competition and having five returners,” Grace said. “I was impressed. And it’s not easy to impress me when it comes to basketball because I have such high expectations for my program and my players. One thing I liked about them is they competed. It was some long days. After touring and walking during the day, we had games later that night … They showed up. It was a great trip.”

That confidence will matter as Howard enters a season of transition.

The timing of the week-long trip couldn’t have been better for Howard, which won 22 games last season including a home WNIT game for the first time in program history. The Bison lost its top two scorers from last season to Power Four programs, but returns junior forward Sa’lah Hemingway and senior forwards Nile Miller, Zennia Thomas, and Jenesis Perrin. Junior guard April Edwards was with the program last season.

This group will form the building blocks for a program with high expectations and a talented crop of newcomers.

On the floor, Henigan’s crossover wasn’t the only highlight. Transfer guard Destiny Bynum-Johnson hit a game-winning shot in one of the victories, while veterans like Hemingway showed leadership and set the tone for newcomers. Off the floor, the team’s growth was evident in quieter moments, like late-night group dinners after games, and boat cruises where laughter echoed and, in true team-bonding fashion, a few players even jumped into the cold water.

“This trip was a great experience,” Miller said. “I was grateful that we had the opportunity to travel abroad. … We enjoyed everything, from the excursions every day to playing against Portuguese teams. To take away three wins was also amazing. I feel like everybody contributed something and played with confidence. Nobody was playing scared. Everybody, especially our freshmen, was playing like they had already played on that type of stage before. And it was just amazing seeing them all play, and we’re all having fun.”

While Miller was on the floor and didn’t immediately see Henigan’s move, junior guard Rayne Durant, a transfer from UMass-Lowell, had a front-row seat. She was in awe.

“I couldn’t believe it,” Durant said of Henigan’s moment. “I thought she was going to get called for a charge or something. I was just in awe. That move was tough … This was my first time out of the country, so just being able to do that with this team, and keep building bonds with my teammates, the coaches, and supporting staff that came on the trip was cool. I felt like everybody got closer on the trip.”

The added practice time and game competitions provided Grace and her staff with an opportunity to experiment with lineups, create adversity without the pressure of advancing in a conference postseason game, and observe their players. She saw it not just in huddles, but in how players carried themselves during long days of sightseeing followed by late games.

Howard’s traveling party posed for a group photo near the historic Dom Luís I Bridge, the longest iron arch bridge in the world when it opened in 1886. Howard also went 3-0 in game competitions. (Photo credit: Howard Athletics)

In addition to Henigan’s exploits, Grace is also excited by the additions of freshmen Dylan Watson, Emma Nuguay and Jada Kendrick. Transfers Dallysshya Moreno (Stony Brook), Bynum-Johnson (Union County College), and Durant add depth and experience.

“Multiple players were speaking up and talking about what we need to stick together, and this is just the start of us,” Grace said. “It was great to see. … To hear that with a new team, I thought, ‘Oh wow, they’re really committed to this. Then, even the moments on the tours, just watching them enjoy themselves. They took a lot of pictures together and created TikToks and other content. I just enjoy watching them have fun and being happy like that was a big part of the trip.”

The Bison are focused on enjoying a memorable 2025-26 season. Having lost in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) championship game in the last three years, Howard is tired of watching other teams celebrate. Grace made it a point to meet with each recruit and lay out the expectations of excellence for her program. She showed them videos of the setbacks.

A two-time member of the MEAC All-Defensive Team, Miller has said she’s “hungry” this season.

“I really like this group,” Grace said. “They’re a good group of young women, with good character and that’s important to me as well. They’re also super talented. They all bring something different to the table. They’re versatile. We’re long, athletic, and they can shoot. So, I’m excited.”

The time away from the court included a tuk-tuk tour through Lisbon’s steep hills and narrow cobblestone streets, as well as a sailing cruise on the Tagus River that offered stunning views of landmarks like Belém Tower, the 25 de Abril Bridge, and the Cristo Rei statue.

While basketball remained the centerpiece, the trip was also educational and cultural. Highlights included a visit to the fairytale-like Pena Palace, with its sweeping views over the Lisbon coastline, and a guided tour of the famous Port Wine Cellars. The Bison also experienced Porto from the water on the Six Bridges River Cruise, taking in the city’s historic charm and 19th-century grandeur. They walked past street performers, outdoor cafés and festivals.

Howard’s traveling party posed for a group photo near the historic Dom Luís I Bridge, a postcard-perfect spot where architecture, history, and atmosphere converge. When it opened in 1886, it was the longest iron arch bridge in the world.  

It was a reminder that lasting things, like bridges and basketball teams, take time to build and endure.

“We made the most of our time,” Durant said. “Going on tours and doing activities together, like boat rides, was fun. What I would take away from this trip is the views, because, oh my goodness, Portugal is truly beautiful. Being able to connect with my teammates was special. Some people say we’re a family because that’s what it’s supposed to be, but this team actually lives it. Everybody looked out for each other and made sure everyone was okay. That stood out to me. Everything that they said, they did it with intention.”

According to Miller, the trip’s emotional peak came during a farewell dinner where Grace, Thomas and women’s basketball administrator Paul Bowden delivered heartfelt toasts that left many players in tears.

“It touched me so much,” Miller said. “It made me realize how much we’re appreciated and how much I appreciate them.”

That dinner became the perfect flourish to a week of highlights, laughter and long days abroad.

By the time the Bison landed in Washington after a longer-than-expected return trip thanks to some flight delays, the group texts were buzzing with memes, memorable photos, inside jokes, and encouragement. Tangible proof that what happened in Portugal had traveled home with them.

It was alive and well in their chemistry, confidence, and commitment to one another. They had become a determined team ready to compete, and a family committed to growth.

Hampton players Tyra Kennedy, Diamond Wiggins and Kiarra Mcelrath pose with Indiana Fever and WNBA legend Tamika Catchings during WNBA All-Star Weekend. (Photo credit: Hampton University Athletics)

Hampton trio savor WNBA All-Star Weekend

Tyra Kennedy tried to remain calm while shaking the hands of A’ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum. But when it came time to greet Courtney Williams, the Stud Budz podcast host bypassed the handshake and pulled Kennedy in for a hug. Meanwhile, Diamond Wiggins sat a few feet from Caitlin Clark in a windowless interview room with cameras rolling, microphones catching every word, nerves thick in the air.

Later on, Kiarra Mcelrath’s smile lit up social media as she danced through TikTok dances with WNBA commissioner Cathy Englebert and Plum; her confidence was unmistakable.

For the Hampton University women’s basketball trio, WNBA All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis was more than a dream. It was a front-row seat to excellence and a future they hope to join.

In addition to representing Hampton, they were also representing something far bigger than themselves. Their presence as three young women from an HBCU was proof that belonging doesn’t require permission, only preparation and opportunity.

“You just had to keep it cool because at the end day, they’re just humans,” Kennedy told reporters during a Zoom call with reverence in her voice. “They’re just players. I was keeping it professional, but I was like, this is really like these are the women I watch on the screen that inspires me to play basketball. So, it was just like a wow moment.”

It was also plenty of work. The trio helped players get to media and marketing appointments, supported rehearsals for the skills challenge and three-point contest, and managed logistics behind the scenes. It was fast paced, demanding and filled with lessons. The weekend offered something just as valuable: networking, self-growth and exiting their comfort zones.

The trio were selected for these internship positions through a rigorous, multi-round application process in partnership with beauty brand Mielle. Kennedy worked in league operations. Wiggins supported the media team. McElrath created content from the moment she stepped off the plane to the day she returned — posting nearly 25 TikTok videos on her personal channels throughout the weekend.

“It was a really good experience and opportunity,” Mcelrath said. “We met a lot of new people who are in different fields. It was a good internship to get more insight on the future and what we’re interested in. … The people we met, they were just teaching us, it’s okay to explore different opportunities, to be open, to dibble and dabble and find what we really like.”

The WNBA and Mielle teamed up for the inaugural social impact program focused on HBCU students, which is intended to immerse a group of students into the WNBA landscape. Mielle is passionate about closing the gap between HBCUs students who are interested in or play sports, and getting firsthand experiences in the professional sports industry.

“I liked how the managers in in our group made us feel like we were a part of the team,” Wiggins shared. “It really felt like you were working with the team that you were in. So, I liked that. It was a crazy experience. This was a blessing because a lot of people don’t get this opportunity, especially HBCU students. It was a good experience … We all enjoyed what we were doing, so the workload was nothing. There were nights where I wasn’t finished working until 1 a.m. because I had to work after the events, but I enjoyed it.”

One major takeaway they shared was the value of hard work and consistency, something they know will translate to the upcoming season under second-year head coach Tamisha Augustin. While Augustin is focused on elevating Hampton to the top of the Coastal Athletic Association, she is equally committed to ensuring her players are prepared for life beyond basketball.

Even before they arrived in Indianapolis, Augustin reminded her players that they earned the cherished chance to be in these rooms and spaces. Herself an HBCU alumnus, she understands the value of these experiences for her players.

Beyond All-Star Weekend, the Pirates have enjoyed a summer of bonding as Augustin was busy working seven new faces into her program for the 2025-26 campaign.

One of the fresh faces is Mcelrath, who transferred from Delaware State. The Columbus, Ohio native and member of Delta Sigma Theta was one of the most underrated forces in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference last season. She averaged a team-best 13.8 points and 3.8 rebounds per game for Delaware State while connecting at an 80.7% clip from the foul line.

“I wanted a change, and Hampton checked everything off my list,” Mcelrath said of her decision to transfer after two years in Dover. “The transition has been really smooth. I think coming in the summer and being with my teammates, we’ve been able to grow together and get closer.”

Kennedy and Wiggins, two of Hampton’s seven returning players, are also optimistic. The Pirates lost seven games by fewer than 10 points last season, including a heart-breaker to Monmouth in the CAA Tournament after leading through three quarters. One of the losses was in overtime to eventual CAA tournament champion William & Mary, and another was at the buzzer to Drexel.

The Pirates were competitive, and those tough setbacks will make them stronger this season. Augustin says she has noticed a positive vibe surrounding her team so far:

“I’m happy about the core that wanted to return,” Augustin said. “Then we had an opportunity to bring in some pieces that matched our personalities in our locker room, first and foremost. I think together, they work hard. Practice has been super competitive every day this summer. … I’m looking forward to the season, and really and truly, it’s about them having some fun and being able to have early some early success, but they’ve got to continue to work hard and not be complacent.”

For Kennedy, one of the most impactful takeaways came while watching Alyssa Thomas. Amid the glamor of orange carpet interviews and media obligations, Thomas intentionally made time to get in a workout, choosing sweat over spotlight.

“By the time it was Sunday, I was so sad because the time had passed by,” Kennedy said. “We were just doing so much work and enjoying it. When you really do something, you love, it’s just like time flies. We also had so much support from Coach T. She was calling us, checking in every day, and making sure we were good. To have a coach like that means a lot.”

South Carolina is coming to Baltimore

Former Coppin State head coach Jermaine Woods left a parting gift for first-year Coppin State head coach Darrell Mosley: a visit from Dawn Staley and South Carolina. The game is the second of a home-and-home between Coppin State and South Carolina that Woods arranged before becoming Norfolk State’s head coach.

Mosley is appreciative and is excited about hosting a South Carolina program with three national championships, including its most recent in 2024. This will be the second time in three years that Coppin State will host a program that competed in the previous season’s national championship contest, as the Eagles also hosted LSU in 2023 after the Tigers won the championship. The Gamecocks will visit Coppin State on Sunday, Jan. 18 at 12:00 p.m. ET.

“It’s going to be good for the city of Baltimore and the region,” Mosley told The Next. “It’s going to be great for the university, and we expect a packed house, As a coach, who wouldn’t want to coach against one of the best coaches to ever do it. I’m looking forward to it and I know my players are excited about the opportunity.”

Mosley has spoken to Staley several times throughout his career and she has been somebody that has consistently encouraged him during his coaching journey.

“She’s somebody that I can pick up the phone and call,” Mosley shared. “When I see her on the road, we talk and always just catch up … I am looking forward to the challenge of competing against South Carolina and building my program because games like this will help us with recruiting and just kind of the type of competition we’re playing.”

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The game is also intentionally scheduled for the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend, as a tribute to King’s enduring legacy and fight for equality and empowerment. It also showcases that more Power Four schools are willing to play true road games at HBCUs, which happened often last season: UNC visited North Carolina A&T (and will do so again this season on Nov. 20), Alabama played at Alabama State, and Mississippi traveled to Delaware State. All three programs: North Carolina, Alabama and Mississippi qualified for the NCAA Tournament.

Coppin State has also announced a road game at Tennessee, eight-time national champions who recently participated in the Sweet 16. Mosley hasn’t released his non-conference schedule, but he said to expect it to be difficult.

Non-conference schedules for the 2025-26 season have been trickling out slowly. Some early highlights include: Norfolk State will visit Duke and Mississippi in an home-and-home arrangement; Florida A&M will visit Howard; and Morgan State will visit LSU. The “Battle of The Real Hus” between Hampton and Howard will take place at CareFirst Arena in December.

More schedules are expected to be released over the next month, leading up to an exciting 2025-26 season.