HBCU Hoops: Grambling picks up explosive mid-major scorer
McMillan arrives after a standout year at Canisius, where he averaged 20.0 points per game-ranking second in the MAAC and among the top 25 scorers nationally. The Cincinnati native brings veteran experience and a proven scoring ability to a Grambling team entering a new era under recently hired head coach Patrick Crarey.
Crarey, who spent last season as the head coach at Florida A&M (FAMU), takes over at Grambling with a fast-paced, high-tempo coaching philosophy that is expected to align perfectly with McMillan's dynamic offensive style. His system emphasizes transition play and guard creativity, both strengths of McMillan's game.
McMillan's college journey includes stops at NJIT and Central Michigan before his breakout season at Canisius, where he twice scored a career-high 31 points and became the program's first 20 PPG scorer in over a decade. Prior to college, he was a high school standout at Woodward High School (OH), finishing with 2,658 career points, seventh-most in Ohio history.
The transfer marks a significant addition to the HBCU basketball landscape. As more high-impact athletes commit to HBCU programs, McMillan's move to Grambling is further proof of the growing competitiveness and visibility of these institutions at the national level.
With McMillan in the lineup and Crarey on the sidelines, Grambling is poised to contend in the SWAC and make noise beyond. For a proud HBCU program, this pairing signals a powerful step forward.
The post HBCU Hoops: Grambling picks up explosive mid-major scorer appeared first on HBCU Gameday.
Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Miami Herald
19 hours ago
- Miami Herald
Is Edward Waters the Fastest Rising Private HBCU in America?
Just a few years ago, Edward Waters College, a Jacksonville, FL., HBCU, was treading water. To those outside of Duval County, it was largely unknown. Even within the county, EWC was rarely the first choice for students seeking a quality education. But now, as the school prepares to celebrate its 160th anniversary, the institution founded by the African Methodist Episcopal Church has found its stride. When the university selected its new president, some considered it a gamble. At just 37 years old, Dr. A. Zachary Faison Jr. was young to lead such a historic institution. He became president in July 2018 after a unanimous vote by the Board of Trustees. Faison was the youngest serving HBCU president or chancellor in the nation at the time. Before coming to Edward Waters, Faison had served in senior leadership roles at multiple HBCUs. He arrived with a clear strategic vision-and delivered it with precision. Under his leadership, Edward Waters has transformed. The school has grown from a quiet, tuition-dependent liberal arts college to a rising university with national recognition. Enrollment has surged. New academic programs have launched. Infrastructure has expanded. One of Faison's boldest moves was elevating Edward Waters' athletic profile. In 2018, the school competed in the NAIA-a level many HBCUs had outgrown. On July 1, 2021, the school officially became Edward Waters University (EWU). This step symbolized an expanded academic mission. Weeks later, EWU successfully applied for NCAA Division II membership, with full membership granted in July 2024. The university also joined the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC)-a respected conference in Black college sports. Edward Waters didn't stop at joining a new conference. The university expanded its varsity sports offerings from 8 to 16 NCAA-sponsored programs. This growth created more opportunities for student-athletes and boosted the school's visibility. Major Facility Upgrades: Nathaniel Glover Community Field & Stadium: Opened in 2021, giving EWU football a permanent, on-campus home for the first Community Sports & Music Complex: Renovated in 2022 with a new gym floor, bleachers, and a digital video Wellness and Weight Training Facility: Built in 2023 to support all Tennis Courts: Recently completed, placing EWU among the best-equipped small Black private colleges. Edward Waters announced its first-ever football classic, the Unity Classic, which will debut on September 13 against CIAA powerhouse Virginia Union University. This game marks a significant milestone in the university's athletic journey. EWU is growing academically as well. Since Faison's arrival, the university has: Earned university statusLaunched four 100% online graduate programs: Master of Business Administration (MBA)Master of Public Administration (MPA)Master of Education (M.A.) in Policy & AdvocacyMaster of Science (MS) in Cybersecurity These programs are designed for career-ready graduates in high-growth industries. Edward Waters has also introduced new undergraduate majors, including: Forensic SciencePublic HealthSports ManagementSocial WorkComputer & Information ScienceAccounting4+1 Nursing program (in partnership with the University of Florida) These additions reflect modern student interests and today's job market needs. Under President Faison, enrollment has grown by over 30%. Student numbers have increased from about 880 in 2018 to nearly 1,200 today. For Fall 2025, EWU received over 11,500 applications-the most in the university's history. EWU's fundraising profile has also improved. The university has attracted multi-million-dollar investments from federal, private, and philanthropic sources. Its endowment and donor base are growing. These financial gains, combined with student-focused innovations, have captured national attention. Recognizing his impact, the EWU Board of Trustees unanimously extended President Faison's contract through 2032. His visionary leadership is now deeply tied to the university's continued rise. The post Is Edward Waters the Fastest Rising Private HBCU in America? appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025

Miami Herald
19 hours ago
- Miami Herald
HBCU coach adapting as Power programs grab talent
In the evolving world of college football, success can come with a cost - even for a Division II HBCU program. Just weeks after leading Virginia Union to an Elite Eight finish in the NCAA Division II playoffs, head coach Dr. Alvin Parker watched 17 players enter the transfer portal. That list included star wide receiver Reginald Vick Jr., who landed at ACC member Wake Forest, and defensive standout William Davis, now at West Virginia. "When we walked off the field from that Elite Eight loss to Valdosta (State), I looked around and I said, you know what? We're a two-time champion team, made an Elite Eight run, and I got 13 starters coming back," Parker said on Verified Sources with SJG. "I felt great about it. Two weeks later, I had 17 guys in the portal." The mass departure highlights a growing challenge for HBCU programs, especially at the Division II level. Talented players are increasingly drawn to bigger schools with larger financial incentives. "The landscape changed. It can change just that quick. We're not talking about years. We're talking about days and weeks," Parker said. "At that point now, we go from a player development staff to a roster management type staff." Despite the upheaval, Parker remains committed to developing players - even when it means watching them leave. "I promised every guy when they came to Virginia Union, I promise all of them you'll leave here better than you were when you came," he said. "So when guys come in and they're getting huge contracts, money that they're not going to get from anywhere else, that I can't provide them - you know what? I kept my promise." Parker's approach has elevated Virginia Union's visibility in the HBCU football landscape. Players like Vick and Davis used the program to showcase their skills on a national stage. "We gave them the platform. They came here and they showed off. Other people saw them and they got swooped up," Parker said. Even after major departures, the Panthers' culture of development remains strong. Parker and his staff continue to prepare new talent while reinforcing the HBCU pipeline. "We've done a good enough job of making sure the roster always looked a certain way that, you know, it was kind of like, 'who's up next?'" he said. "Because the landscape of college football is totally different. People say it wasn't like it was when I was back then. No - it wasn't like what it was last year." As HBCU football adjusts to the realities of NIL and player mobility, coaches like Dr. Alvin Parker are evolving too - rooted in tradition, yet adapting to a fast-changing game. Parker recently wrote a new book called 'Play411: Leadership' which tackles the challenges of leadership. The post HBCU coach adapting as Power programs grab talent appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025

Miami Herald
19 hours ago
- Miami Herald
15 year old graduates HS early and will attend an HBCU
Josiah Matthews is making big moves at just 15 years old. The Charlotte native graduated from high school early after being homeschooled and is now preparing to start his college career at an HBCU. The teenager will attend Johnson C. Smith University (JCSU) this fall. Matthews told WBTV News that his accelerated path began when he started combining grade levels in his homeschooling journey."I just remember doing third and fourth grades together," he said. "And fifth, sixth and seventh grades together." Despite his success, the journey wasn't always easy. "It was at times when I lacked motivation," Matthews admitted to WBTV News. "But I pushed myself and I ended up finishing." Matthews found that the discipline he developed while learning to play the saxophone in band helped shape his academic focus."In band, you have to be disciplined and well-focused to learn all the pieces of music, and that kind of translated into my schoolwork," he shared. In the fall, Matthews will begin his studies at JCSU, majoring in computer science. School officials are currently checking to see if he is the youngest student to ever attend the historic HBCU. When asked what he's looking forward to, Matthews told WBTV News, "Get to meet some interesting people. Make some new friends – can't wait to meet my teachers." His mother, Sheikia Talley-Matthews, served as his primary teacher throughout his homeschooling experience."He could comprehend," she told WBTV News. "So, the more he could do, the more I gave him. I always challenged him to keep going." Her dedication paid off in a big way. Matthews will be attending JCSU alongside his twin brothers, who are 17. All three will be walking the same campus their mother once called home. "I got to become myself," Talley-Matthews said of her time at the Charlotte, NC HBCU. "And it was a safe place. I wanted that for them as they transition from boyhood to manhood. I want them to know themselves fully, and I believe J.C. Smith is a great place to do that." While she's confident in her son's academic readiness, she expressed some concern about his social development. She is grateful, though, that he'll be participating in the Becoming Kings mentoring program at JCSU. The initiative, which launched about four years ago, helps young men transition smoothly from high school to college life. Before the semester officially starts, Matthews will spend six weeks on campus, learning the ropes and connecting with local businesses to build his social network. His long-term dream? To one day launch his own business, possibly in the cybersecurity field. (Source: WBTV News) The post 15 year old graduates HS early and will attend an HBCU appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025