All former Bethune-Cookman basketball standout Brandon Tabb has wanted was an opportunity like the one that current B-CU Head Coach Reggie Theus provided last week in Las Vegas.

Theus, the two-time NBA All Star entering his second season as the Wildcats' Athletic Director and Head Basketball Coach, served as Camp Director for the inaugural HBCU Showcase at the NBA's Summer League.

Twenty-eight former HBCU players were invited to participate in the Showcase attended by NBA scouts and overseen by Theus and three HBCU coaches – Jackson State's Mo Williams, Fisk's Kenny Anderson, and LeMoyne-Owen coach Bonzi Wells – who played in the league.

"Out of the gates, it was a great experience,' Theus said. "I'm proud that the NBA is giving back to the HBCU's and giving HBCU players a chance to play on a stage where they get to be seen."

Robert Covington of the LA Clippers is the only HBCU alum currently on an NBA roster and only five HBCU alum are currently playing in the NBA's Summer League. No HBCU player has been drafted in a decade.

Theus expects that to change.

"We're forming connections with the NBA that the HBCUs really haven't had in the past," Theus said.

Last year'sThe 2021 NBA All-Star Game generated at least $3 million for HBCUs through donations to scholarship funds — and the exposure those schools got during the game was worth even more. The league has started a paid fellowship program that places HBCU students in jobs with the league office and with NBA and WNBA teams.

Now the attention is turning to players like Tabb, the 2018 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Player of the Year, who has spent the past few years playing in Europe.

To be able to wear an NBA jersey and play in an NBA setting was a moment Tabb has always wanted.

"I'm very thankful for the opportunity," Tabb said. "And for the NBA to start this showcase so the upcoming HBCU students have the chance to be seen on a high platform.  I'll be forever grateful to the NBA for giving me this chance to showcase my talents."

Tabb was on Theus' team when the Showcase broke into four teams for scrimmage games.

"That was definitely amazing," Tabb smiled. "I was thankful he could be my coach there. Coach Theus has some great plans for B-CU so I'm looking forward to seeing my former HBCU club continue to make history."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.