TSU Students Shine in Inaugural NBA Foundation Tech Challenge at AfroTech

Recently, from November 13, 2024, through November 16, 2024, the NBA Foundation and the Houston Rockets partnered with the annual. AfroTech conference to hold the first NBA Foundation Tech Challenge at AfroTech. 25

Houston area college students participated in the challenge, five of whom were from the highly ranked Texas Southern University.

What exactly is the NBA Foundation Tech Challenge? A collaboration between the

Houston Rockets and the NBA Foundation provided 25 college students with four

Houston area universities: Texas Southern University, Rice University, University of

Houston and Prairie View A&M University, an opportunity to showcase their tech skills

to find solutions to business problems that are faced by the NBA and Houston

Rockets.

The judges of the conference were two-time NBA All-star Baron Davis, global

head of DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion), Nikki Lasley, and Chief Marketing Officer

of the Houston Rockets, Julian Duncan.

Although the students from Prairie View A&M won the strategic competition, with each

member of their group earning $1,000 and a scholarship, the five participating TSU Tigers

put their all into the competition. Meeting every night in the library until 

midnight, they developed the Rocket Fan Fuel concept. Rocket Fan Fuel is a

way to engage basketball fans through augmented reality. A way to positively

enhance the game day experience.

When asked how it felt to present the idea to such a high-profile panel of judges, tech

challenge participant Koran Cooper said, “I felt like I belong. I felt almost unreal 

that my expertise was valued, and I wasn’t thinking too big of those people. 

We have to put limitations on most ideas due to resources or budgets, but I felt like I could finally

dream big.”

After the students pitched their ideas, they were met with mentors who gave them

feedback on moving forward and bringing the ideas to life. The Texas Southern Team

still plans to develop its concept with tech professionals and make it a reality. “We

were told that we were neck and neck with PV. They may have won the battle, but the

Rocket Fan Fuel team is ready for war. The pitch competition was just the beginning.” –

Zion Bonds, participant.

What did the students learn from the experience? “A key takeaway for me was to

network, not just to be resourceful, but to build community. Another

takeaway was to continue putting myself out there even when it is scary. I was also able

to learn the different avenues a mass comm major can take in the tech space.” – Zion

Bonds.

The students are confident that they represented Texas Southern University in a strong,

positive light.

Written By: Lealer Sims