Norfolk State’s weekend at the HBCU Challenge The Spartans left Las Vegas with wins against Hampton and North Carolina A&T, and a valuable experience
Published on December 21, 2022
Norfolk State guard Joe Bryant Jr. takes in the view from his room at the MGM Grand Las Vegas Hotel & Casino. SAEED RAHBARAN FOR ESPN
Norfolk State coach Robert Jones, who has led the Spartans to the last two NCAA tournaments, leads his team in prayer before its first practice in Las Vegas. Jones was the 2022 Hugh Durham National Coach of the Year award last season, which honors the nation’s top coach in mid-major basketball. SAEED RAHBARAN FOR ESPN
Norfolk State guard Christian Ings tries on a hat at the Lids store on the Las Vegas Strip. Ings goes by the nickname “Agent Zero,” and says he’s gotten the blessing of the original Agent Zero, Gilbert Arenas. SAEED RAHBARAN FOR ESPN
Norfolk State forward Chris Ford takes pictures as the team makes its first trip along the Las Vegas Strip. SAEED RAHBARAN FOR ESPN
What do the Norfolk State players do immediately after arriving in their MGM Grand hotel room after the conclusion of the HBCU Challenge? Discuss the wins over Hampton University and North Carolina A&T while watching hoops. SAEED RAHBARAN FOR ESPN
Norfolk State guard Andre Bottoms goes over notes during a finance presentation at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. SAEED RAHBARAN FOR ESPN
Norfolk State guard Joe Bryant Jr. has never played golf, but that doesn’t stop him from giving swing pointers to Christian Ings (center) and Kris Bankston (left) during a visit to Top Golf by all of the HBCU Challenge teams. SAEED RAHBARAN FOR ESPN
Gilbert Brown II (right) gets a hair adjustment from team manager Nichayla Cooper (left) on game day at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. SAEED RAHBARAN FOR ESPN
Norfolk State coach Robert Jones huddles his team during its intense opening game against Hampton University. The campuses of the Hampton Roads, Va. rivals are separated by just 15 miles, but the teams traveled 2,450 to Las Vegas for the first of two meetings this season. SAEED RAHBARAN FOR ESPN
Norfolk State head coach Robert Jones prepares the team for the game against Hampton. SAEED RAHBARAN FOR ESPN
Norfolk State players huddle before their game against North Carolina A&T. SAEED RAHBARAN FOR ESPN
Norfolk State forward Chris Ford is known for his sideline antics during games. Here he’s put to sleep after a big play by the Spartans. SAEED RAHBARAN FOR ESPN
Christian Ings took flight for an impressive first half dunk against Hampton, but “apparently, I didn’t have any landing gear.” He landed face first, breaking a tooth and splitting open his bottom lip. SAEED RAHBARAN FOR ESPN
What does Joe Bryant, Jr. (left) do after throwing an impressive, highlight-reel dime? He shows off the video to his teammates after the win over Hampton. SAEED RAHBARAN FOR ESPN
An exhausted Joe Bryant Jr. takes a breather after Sunday’s tight win over North Carolina A&T, giving the Spartans a 4-0 record in two years of play at the HBCU Challenge. SAEED RAHBARAN FOR ESPN
After players had a dance-off following the win over North Carolina A&T, coach Robert Jones stepped into the locker room and show them how to bust an old-school move. SAEED RAHBARAN FOR ESPN
Norfolk State guard Terrance Jones (left) entered the weekend in Las Vegas as a little-used player, and left as an important contributor after injuries led to him posting career highs in minutes on consecutive days. He celebrates with (from left to right) his grandmother, Elise Day; mother, Ebonie Day, and great-aunt, Dora Paulus. SAEED RAHBARAN FOR ESPN
