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Robert Covington of the Portland Trail Blazers will participate in the Skills Challenge at this year’s All-Star Game. According to Marc J. Spears of the Undfeated, Covington is the only remaining player from a historically black college or university (HBCU) in the NBA. Covington graduated from Tennessee State in 2013.
Blazers forward Robert Covington is expected to take part in the Skills Challenge next Sunday before the NBA’s All-Star Game in Atlanta, a source told @TheUndefeated. The ex-Tennessee State star is the only #HBCU player left in the #NBA. The NBA is also honoring HBCUs at All-Star
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) February 28, 2021
This is Covington’s first time competing in the Skills Challenge. Teammate Derrick Jones Jr. will not participate in the 2021 Slam Dunk Contest, despite winning the 2020 title. Meanwhile, teammate Damian Lillard will be appearing in the All-Star game in addition to joining the 3-Point Contest. The Skills Challenge and 3-Point Contest will be held before the game, while the Slam Dunk Contest will take place at halftime, condensing all of the events into a single day in light of coronavirus restrictions.