Coppin State Duo Earns Chance to Shine at Historic HBCU All-Star Dream Classic

Two of the most accomplished players in recent Coppin State Eagles women’s basketball history are getting one more opportunity to represent the Eagles on a national stage.

Former Coppin standouts Paris McBride and Khila Morris have been selected to compete in the 2026 HBCU All-Star Dream Classic, which will be held on Aug. 8 at the legendary Rucker Park. The event brings together 40 of the top men’s and women’s players from Historically Black Colleges and Universities, celebrating elite basketball talent while showcasing the impact HBCUs continue to have on the sport.

For Maryland Sports Blog readers, the announcement is another reminder that Coppin State’s women’s basketball program continues producing players capable of competing well beyond their collegiate careers.

A Perfect Stage

Few basketball courts carry the history of Rucker Park.

Located in the heart of Harlem, the iconic outdoor court has hosted basketball legends including Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Allen Iverson and Julius Erving. While the Dream Classic isn’t an NBA event, earning an invitation to compete on that historic court is considered one of the premier postseason honors for HBCU players.

The game also serves as a showcase for professional scouts while promoting HBCU athletics and encouraging future student-athletes to pursue opportunities at Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Khila Morris Leaves a Lasting Legacy

Morris arrived at Coppin State for her final collegiate season and immediately became one of the MEAC’s premier players.

The Bronx native averaged 13.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.9 assists and led the Eagles with 54 steals while playing a league-high 35.4 minutes per game. During conference play, Morris elevated her production to 14.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 2.0 steals per contest.

Her impact earned numerous honors:

• MEAC Newcomer of the Year
• First Team All-MEAC
• Three-time MEAC Player of the Week
• BOXTOROW Second Team HBCU All-American

Morris scored in double figures 23 times and produced five 20-point games during the season.

One of her signature performances came against Delaware State Hornets when she erupted for 26 points and 13 rebounds before hitting the game-winning basket in the closing seconds.

Before arriving at Coppin, Morris starred at Union College in New Jersey before spending a season at Troy Trojans, helping Troy reach the 2025 WNIT championship game.

Across her Division I career, Morris totaled:

• 567 career points
• 208 rebounds
• 152 assists
• 78 steals
• 18 blocks

Her versatility made her one of the most complete guards in the conference and a major reason the Eagles remained competitive throughout the 2025-26 campaign.

Paris McBride Finished Her Career in Style

While Morris often grabbed headlines for her scoring, McBride quietly developed into one of the MEAC’s top floor generals.

The Richmond, Virginia native led Coppin with:

• 115 assists
• 43 three-pointers
• 51 steals

She also averaged:

• 8.9 points
• 3.7 rebounds
• 81.9 percent free-throw shooting

During conference games those numbers climbed to 10.7 points and 3.6 assists per game while continuing to direct the Eagles’ offense.

McBride’s consistency stood out all season.

She recorded four or more assists in 18 games, including a career-high eight against William & Mary Tribe and seven against SMU Mustangs.

As a scorer, McBride produced a season-high 20 points against Georgia Bulldogs and added 17 points against nationally ranked Oklahoma Sooners.

Beyond basketball, McBride also excelled academically, earning a spot on the MEAC Commissioner’s All-Academic Team.

She finished her Division I career with:

• 574 points
• Nearly 300 rebounds
• 237 assists
• 138 steals
• 203 made free throws

Those numbers reflect a player who impacted every phase of the game throughout her collegiate career.

Another Win for Coppin State

Although both players exhausted their collegiate eligibility, their selection speaks volumes about the continued growth of Coppin State’s women’s basketball program.

Producing multiple players selected for a national HBCU showcase highlights the talent the Eagles have developed and reinforces the program’s reputation throughout the MEAC.

The invitations also provide younger Coppin players with an example of what can be achieved through hard work and consistent improvement.

For a program looking to continue climbing within the conference, seeing alumni receive national recognition is invaluable.

Looking Ahead

The HBCU All-Star Dream Classic has become one of the premier postseason showcases for graduating HBCU basketball players.

For Morris and McBride, it offers one final opportunity to wear a Coppin uniform in spirit while competing against many of the best players from HBCUs across the country before beginning their professional basketball careers.

Whether those careers lead overseas, to developmental leagues or beyond, both players have already cemented themselves among the recent standouts in Coppin State women’s basketball history.

On Aug. 8, they’ll have the opportunity to add one more memorable chapter on one of basketball’s most famous courts.