Movement captures second undefeated title in franchise history, secures second championship in program history, and finishes 2026 as one of the most dominant teams the NBL-United States has ever seen.
HOUSTON, Texas — April 22, 2026 — The HBCU Movement https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/HBCU-Movement/69946 has officially completed one of the most remarkable seasons in NBL-United States history, closing out a perfect 2026 campaign with a commanding 151-96 championship game victory over East Houston United. With the win, HBCU Movement secured its second undefeated season and second league championship, adding the 2026 NBL-US title to its 2024 championship season.
In a year defined by dominance, record-breaking scoring, and championship resolve, HBCU Movement once again proved why it has become one of the premier standard-bearers in the NBL-United States. The Movement not only returned to the top of the league, but did so by defeating one of the most storied franchises in league history in four-time champion East Houston United https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/East-Houston-United/21060.
From opening weekend to the championship stage, HBCU Movement set the tone for the entire league.
The Movement opened the season by overwhelming expansion team Montgomery County Dragons, 151-63, winning by nearly 100 points. The very next day, HBCU Movement followed that performance with another statement win, defeating Cypress Venom, 147-97. In the process, the Movement broke the NBL-US single-game scoring record, immediately announcing to the league that 2026 would be played on their terms.
That momentum never slowed.
As the season progressed, HBCU Movement continued to separate itself as the most explosive and complete team in the NBL-US. A major turning point came when the Movement acquired Kevin Lewis Jr. https://basketball.usbasket.com/player/Kevin-Lewis/269125, a proven champion who had already won titles in 2024 and 2025 and earned 2025 Finals MVP honors. Lewis, who had previously helped HBCU Movement win its 2024 championship before later suiting up with East Houston United, made an immediate impact after the trade.
In one of the season’s most compelling storylines, Lewis delivered 30 points against his former team, helping power HBCU Movement to a 167-118 win over East Houston United, the franchise that had won four consecutive championships from 2020 through 2023. It was another signature moment in a season full of them and reinforced the fact that HBCU Movement was not simply winning games — it was redefining what dominance looks like in the NBL-US.
HBCU Movement also leaned on championship continuity. Entering the season, the Movement returned four key players from its 2024 title team: Samson Shivers https://basketball.usbasket.com/player/Samson-Shivers/245530, Terry Johnson https://basketball.usbasket.com/player/Terry-Johnson/310766, Kalil Potts https://basketball.usbasket.com/player/Kalil-Potts/331849, and Charleston Dobbs https://basketball.usbasket.com/player/Charleston-Dobbs/343899. Their presence provided leadership, chemistry, and an understanding of what it takes to finish a championship journey. Around that foundation, HBCU Movement built a roster that combined experience, firepower, athleticism, and relentless competitive edge.
In the championship game, the Movement saved one of its most complete performances for last.
NBL-US MVP Zaire Walker https://basketball.usbasket.com/player/Zaire-Walker/618854 led the way with 42 points, once again demonstrating why he was the league’s most unstoppable offensive force throughout the season. Dennis Jones https://basketball.usbasket.com/player/Dennis-Jones/359862 set the tone early and often with 39 points, delivering a Finals performance worthy of the moment and earning the Gerone “Bull” Woods Finals MVP Award. Together, they spearheaded an offensive avalanche that East Houston United could not contain, as HBCU Movement rolled to the 55-point championship win and punctuated a perfect season in emphatic fashion.
The 2026 HBCU Movement championship roster included:
Dennis Jones, Sam Shivers, Terry Johnson, Charleston Dobbs, Kalil Potts, Elo Nwodo https://basketball.usbasket.com/player/Elochukwu-Nwodo/488732, Kelvin Wesley Jr.https://basketball.usbasket.com/player/Kelvin-Wesley/492465, Zaire Walker, Trae Brown https://basketball.usbasket.com/player/Treyon-Brown/828446, Jaylon Jackson-Curvey https://basketball.usbasket.com/player/Jaylon-Jackson-Curvey/641869, and Kevin Lewis Jr
One of the most powerful storylines of the season centered around Head Coach Kevin Williams Sr.https://basketball.usbasket.com/coach/Kevin-Williams/29515, whose championship pedigree continued to grow in extraordinary fashion.
Williams entered the season facing one of the most difficult decisions of his career. He had previously led East Houston United to four straight championships from 2020 through 2023, helping establish United as one of the league’s original dynasties. After East Houston sat out the 2024 and 2025 seasons, Williams won a title with HBCU Movement in 2024, then followed that by winning another championship with the Gueydan Flying Ducks in 2025. With Gueydan choosing to return for the 2027 season rather than 2026, Williams was faced with a major choice: return to his hometown East Houston United or rejoin HBCU Movement as they came back to compete for another NBL-US title.
He chose HBCU Movement — and the result was yet another championship.
With the 2026 title, Coach Kevin Williams Sr. has now won all seven championships in NBL-US history, further cementing his legacy as the league’s defining championship coach and confirming what many across the league already believe: wherever Kevin Williams Sr. goes, that team immediately becomes the team to beat.
Williams shared a heartfelt reflection on why he made the decision to return to HBCU Movement:
“This was one of the hardest decisions I’ve had to make in my coaching career because East Houston United is home to me. I built so much there, won championships there, and coached a lot of players and people I still care deeply about. But when the opportunity came to return to HBCU Movement, I felt there was something bigger in front of me. The challenge to help elevate HBCUs, represent that culture, and continue building something meaningful through this platform meant a lot to me personally and professionally.
At the same time, competing against my former players and my former program at United made this situation very difficult. But I also had to prove something to myself. I had to prove that I could win without the same core group I had for years at United. I wanted to challenge myself in a different environment, with a different roster, and show that leadership, preparation, culture, and belief travel with you.
HBCU Movement gave me that challenge, and this group embraced it from day one. They bought in, they trusted each other, they worked, and they carried themselves like champions all season long. I’m proud of what we built, proud of what this team represents, and proud that we were able to finish the job the right way. This championship means a lot because of everything it took to get here.”
NBL-US Commissioner Lillian Countee praised HBCU Movement for delivering one of the most historic seasons the league has ever witnessed and emphasized the value the organization brought to the 2026 season:
“What HBCU Movement accomplished this season was truly historic. To go undefeated, to win a championship in dominant fashion, and to do it while carrying the visibility, pride, and purpose that this organization represents is something special not only for their program, but for the entire NBL-United States. This team brought excellence, excitement, elite competition, and a championship standard to our league every single weekend.
HBCU Movement added tremendous value to the NBL-US because they raised the bar. They brought fans energy, they brought players exposure, and they brought the kind of attention that helps elevate a league. Their ability to combine talent, identity, culture, and winning made them one of the most important teams in our 2026 season. This was a historical run, and they have absolutely earned their place among the greatest teams our league has seen.”
The 2026 championship run by HBCU Movement will be remembered for more than wins and statistics. It will be remembered for how the team carried itself, how it represented its mission, and how it pushed the standard of the NBL-US forward. From record-setting offensive performances to a perfect finish on championship day, the Movement delivered a season that will be discussed for years to come.
About HBCU Movement HBCU Movement is one of the premier programs in the NBL-United States and a franchise built around excellence, culture, development, and championship expectations. The organization represents the spirit, pride, and legacy of Historically Black Colleges and Universities while providing elite-level opportunities for players to compete, grow, and gain exposure. With championships in 2024 and 2026, including two undefeated title seasons, HBCU Movement has established itself as one of the most successful and respected brands in the league.
About the NBL-United StatesThe National Basketball League-United States (NBL-US) is a professional development basketball league committed to providing high-level competition, exposure, and advancement opportunities for players seeking to continue their careers at the college, professional, and international levels. Known as The Exposure League and The Incentive League, the NBL-US continues to serve as a platform for athlete development, fan engagement, community impact, and innovative basketball competition across its growing footprint.
For more information, visit usnbl.com.
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