Eight historically Black colleges and universities will compete in the inaugural HBCU Hoops Invitational at Walt Disney World Resort from Dec. 4-7.

The tournament, announced last week, will feature four men’s and four women’s teams competing in single-elimination brackets at State Farm Field House inside the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. 

Florida A&M, Tuskegee, Florida Memorial and Barber- Scotia comprise the men’s field. The women’s bracket includes Bethune-Cookman, Hampton, Edward Waters and Cheyney. 

Florida A&M, which recently hired Heisman Trophy winner Charlie Ward as head coach, has reached the NCAA Division I Tournament three times. Cheyney’s women’s team is the only HBCU program to reach the NCAA Final Four, accomplishing the feat in 1982. 

“The HBCU Hoops Invitational is far more than a basketball tournament — it’s a powerful celebration of heritage, excellence and the limitless future of HBCU athletics,” said Haywoode Workman, vice president of HBCU Hoops Global, which organizes the event. 

According to organizers, the tournament aims to provide scholarships, academic assistance and career development opportunities for participants throughout the year. It will include a college admissions fair. 

The event joins the college basketball schedule at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, which hosts the WBCA Showcase from Nov. 20-23 and the ESPN Events Invitational from Nov. 24-28. Tickets are available at hbcuhoops.org.