Duke basketball’s famous Brotherhood continues to make its mark across the sport, and the latest development offers another reason for Blue Devil fans to feel proud of the program’s lasting influence. Two former Duke players, Kenny Blakeney and Nolan Smith, are preparing to face each other as head coaches when Howard University and Tennessee State University meet in the 2027 NBA HBCU Classic during NBA All-Star Weekend in Phoenix, Arizona.
The matchup is more than just another college basketball game. It brings together two coaches whose basketball journeys were shaped by their time at Duke and who have since taken on the challenge of building successful programs of their own.
For a program that has long celebrated the connections between former players, coaches, and the next generation of Blue Devils, this showdown represents another example of the Brotherhood extending beyond Durham.
And with both coaches guiding their respective teams to the NCAA Tournament last season, the upcoming contest promises to be an intriguing meeting between two programs looking to continue building momentum.
The Duke Brotherhood Continues to Grow
Duke’s influence on college basketball is often measured by championships, NBA stars, and memorable seasons. However, the program’s impact also extends into coaching, where former players have taken lessons from their playing careers and applied them to leading teams of their own.
Jon Scheyer, a former Duke guard and member of the Blue Devils’ 2010 national championship team, has become one of the most prominent examples. According to the supplied report, Scheyer recorded 124 wins through his first four seasons as Duke’s head coach, establishing an outstanding early record.
But Scheyer is not the only former Blue Devil making headlines from the sidelines.
Kenny Blakeney and Nolan Smith have each taken on the responsibility of leading college basketball programs, bringing their own experiences and philosophies to Howard and Tennessee State. Their upcoming meeting offers an opportunity to see two members of Duke’s extended basketball family compete against one another in a nationally recognized event.
For Duke supporters, that connection makes the game particularly interesting. The coaches may now represent different universities, but both share a history with the same program.
The matchup also highlights how former players can carry their experiences into different basketball environments, helping develop players and build programs outside the traditional power-conference spotlight.
Kenny Blakeney Has Helped Put Howard Basketball Back on the Map
Blakeney’s journey at Howard has required patience, persistence, and a commitment to rebuilding a program with a long road back to national relevance.
A reserve guard on Duke’s 1991–92 national championship team, Blakeney experienced the expectations and demands that come with competing at the highest level of college basketball. He later brought that experience to Howard, where he has worked to establish the Bison as a more consistent force.
The overall record included in the supplied report does not tell the entire story of his tenure. When Blakeney took over, Howard had not reached the NCAA Tournament since 1992. Under his leadership, the Bison have returned to March Madness three times in four years, a significant achievement for the program.
That progress illustrates the challenges of building a competitive team. Success is not always immediate, particularly for programs working to establish stability, attract talent, and compete consistently for conference honors.
Blakeney’s work has helped Howard become a team capable of competing for postseason opportunities rather than simply hoping for a breakthrough.
His connection to Duke also remains relevant to the program’s broader story. Blakeney was part of the Blue Devils’ 1991–92 championship team, and his coaching staff at Howard includes Nate James, another former Duke player who won a national championship with the Blue Devils in 2001.
That connection reinforces the sense that Duke’s influence reaches well beyond its own roster.
Howard’s upcoming appearance in the NBA HBCU Classic will provide another opportunity for Blakeney to showcase the progress his program has made while representing an institution with a proud basketball tradition.
Nolan Smith’s Rise as a Head Coach
While Blakeney has spent several seasons building Howard, Nolan Smith is entering a different stage of his coaching career.
Smith, a 2010 Duke national champion and former Blue Devil assistant, took over Tennessee State’s program ahead of the 2025–26 season. His first campaign as head coach delivered an impressive result, with the Tigers finishing 23–10 overall and earning an NCAA Tournament appearance for the first time in 22 years, according to the supplied report.
That achievement immediately placed Smith among the coaches attracting attention for their work at the college level.
His playing background at Duke provided him with experience in a high-pressure basketball environment. Smith played alongside Scheyer in Durham and later became the 2011 ACC Player of the Year, establishing himself as one of the standout players of his era.
Transitioning from player to coach, however, presents a different set of responsibilities. Instead of concentrating on individual performance, a head coach must manage an entire roster, develop game plans, build team chemistry, and help players respond to adversity.
Smith’s first season at Tennessee State suggested that he has made a promising start in that role.
The Tigers finished 15–5 in conference play and captured the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament title. Smith was also named OVC Co-Coach of the Year, recognition that reflected the team’s success during his debut season.
For Tennessee State, the challenge now is to build on that progress. One successful season can create excitement, but maintaining momentum requires continued development and consistency.
The matchup against Howard will give Smith another opportunity to lead his team on a prominent stage.
NBA All-Star Weekend Adds Another Layer of Excitement
The 2027 NBA HBCU Classic is scheduled to feature Howard and Tennessee State on Saturday, February 20, at Hardwood Central within Jam Session at the Phoenix Convention Center.
The game will form part of NBA All-Star 2027 in Phoenix, bringing the two college programs into the wider spotlight surrounding one of basketball’s most prominent annual events.
According to the NBA announcement quoted in the supplied report, Tennessee State will make its first appearance in the Classic, while Howard will participate for the second time. Howard previously won the inaugural event in 2022.
The 2027 matchup is also scheduled to air on ESPN and NBA TV at 12 p.m. Mountain Time, providing viewers with an opportunity to follow the contest.
For the players, the event offers a chance to compete in a major basketball setting. For the coaches, it creates a meaningful challenge against a fellow former Blue Devil.
The game also highlights the role of HBCU basketball in the wider college sports landscape. Events like the NBA HBCU Classic provide visibility for participating programs and celebrate the talent, history, and competitive spirit of historically Black colleges and universities.
With Howard and Tennessee State both coming off NCAA Tournament appearances, the matchup will bring together two teams with recent postseason momentum.
A Coaching Battle With a Personal Connection
When Howard and Tennessee State take the court, the attention will ultimately be on the players and the result. But the connection between Blakeney and Smith gives the game an additional storyline.
Both coaches experienced Duke’s basketball culture as players, and both have since taken on the challenge of leading programs with their own identities and ambitions.
Their careers also demonstrate that there is no single path from playing college basketball to becoming a successful coach. Blakeney has spent years working to rebuild Howard, while Smith made an immediate impression in his first season at Tennessee State.
Now, their teams will meet in an event that celebrates HBCU basketball while drawing attention to the wider influence of the Duke Brotherhood.
For Blue Devil fans, it is another opportunity to follow former players as they make their own contributions to the sport.
What This Means for Duke Basketball
Duke’s current success under Scheyer remains an important part of the program’s identity, but the accomplishments of former players and coaches help tell a larger story.
The Brotherhood is not limited to the years a player spends wearing a Duke uniform. Former Blue Devils continue to compete, coach, mentor, and build programs across college basketball.
Blakeney and Smith represent two examples of that continuing influence. Their upcoming showdown will not decide anything for Duke’s own season, but it will showcase the lasting relationships and experiences associated with the program.
It also provides a reminder that Duke’s basketball legacy is measured in more than wins and championships. The people who move through the program often take those experiences with them, shaping teams and influencing players long after their playing careers end.
One thing is certain: the upcoming Howard–Tennessee State showdown will carry a special meaning for Duke fans, as two former Blue Devils meet on a major basketball stage.
Will Blakeney guide Howard to another memorable victory, or can Smith lead Tennessee State to a statement win in his second season?
The answer will come in Phoenix, where the Duke Brotherhood will be represented on both sidelines.
Duke fans, who are you backing in this coaching showdown: Kenny Blakeney and Howard, or Nolan Smith and Tennessee State? Share your thoughts in the comments!
