News surfaces as HBCU player makes unique decision to jump from MEAC to Big Ten

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Steven Corder | Last updated May 10, 2025 11:18 AM ET

When Anthony Peoples Jr. stepped onto the court at North Carolina Central University, few imagined his next stop would be Pauley Pavilion. Now, the 6-foot-9 forward is trading the MEAC grind for Big Ten lights, transferring from NCCU to UCLA in a move that’s turning heads across HBCU and Power Four basketball circles.

Peoples announced the news via Instagram, but the story runs deeper than a simple commitment post. After a brief stint at NCCU—where he appeared in just six games during the 2024–25 season—he’s now on one of college basketball’s most iconic stages. And while his minutes in Durham were limited (21 points, six rebounds across 61 minutes), it was his performance against St. Andrews—16 points, eight rebounds in 21 minutes—that hinted at the upside UCLA sees in him.

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“He’s raw, but he brings a lot of energy and physicality,” one assistant coach at UCLA said. “He’s the kind of guy who’ll make our bigs better in practice. And don’t be surprised if he works his way into the rotation.”

That kind of praise isn’t handed out lightly in Westwood. But for those who’ve followed Peoples’ journey—from NAIA ball at Lewis-Clark State to the HBCU hardwood at NCCU—it tracks. At Lewis-Clark, Peoples played all 33 games in 2023–24, averaging 6.7 points and 3.5 boards while shooting 59.2% from the floor. He led the team with 24 blocks, showcasing the rim protection and hustle that now lands him a spot on a Big Ten roster.

Still, this move raises broader questions—and hope—for HBCU basketball fans. It’s not just about one player moving up. It’s about visibility. It’s about proving talent can rise from any corner of college hoops. Peoples is now part of a new narrative: HBCU athletes breaking into top-tier programs, and in doing so, spotlighting the schools that helped build them.

As Peoples puts on that iconic blue and gold jersey, his journey becomes more than a personal triumph. It’s a challenge—to other HBCU players, to scouts, and to fans—to keep watching.

Because the next big thing might just be hiding in plain sight.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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