OAKLAND, Calif. — The vibrant sports atmosphere that Damian Lillard remembers from his childhood in Oakland seems to have faded in recent years, with the departure of three major professional teams leaving a noticeable gap in the community’s identity. As the Milwaukee Bucks star returned to his hometown for the All-Star Game, he expressed hope that the East Bay would take center stage during the festivities.

The All-Star practices held at the Golden State Warriors’ former arena featured more than just typical events. The NBA HBCU Classic showcased Morehouse College against Tuskegee University, where Tuskegee secured a 68-55 victory over their Division II opponent. “It was crazy. The NBA, by giving us this platform, allowed us to represent Morehouse, which was exhilarating in front of such a lively crowd filled with Black culture,” said Trey Crawford, a graduate student and forward for Tuskegee.

For Lillard, the event held deep significance. He has been saddened by the departures of the Warriors, Athletics, and Raiders from Oakland and reflects on the rich legacy of Black athletes from the city, including legends like Gary Payton, Jason Kidd, Bill Russell, and Rickey Henderson. “Seeing the Coliseum and Oracle devoid of energy is heartbreaking. I remember the vibrancy they once had, with events ranging from Raiders games to the AND1 Mixtape tour,” Lillard noted during a practice session.

“When I arrived, I asked if they were hosting Saturday night at Oracle because I longed to feel that energy that once engulfed the professional sports scene. Having this practice and the HBCU game here, particularly given our deep history with African-American athletes, is crucial for the city and really brings a positive vibe,” he added.

This year’s All-Star weekend marked the fourth occasion where a game between HBCUs was included, aimed at enhancing visibility for these collegiate programs and expanding opportunities for the student-athletes involved. NBA star Stephen Curry praised the initiative, highlighting the importance of shining a light on HBCUs: “It’s always good to create an opportunity for HBCU programs to get some recognition. It’s amazing that the NBA has invested in this.”

Curry maintains a connection to Oakland through his philanthropic efforts with his wife Ayesha through their Eat.Learn.Play. Foundation, which serves local schools and communities. Recently, former NBA coach Keith Smart took the reins of a high school program in Utah and made it a point for his team to not miss the All-Star practices and HBCU game.