5 stories to watch as Stillman hosts GCAC tourneys

The Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC) is hosting its men's and women's basketball championship tournaments at Stillman College in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, from Feb. 28- March 3. This is the first time that Stillman will be playing host to the tournament.

In October 2023, it was announced that Stillman and two other schools, Vorhees and Wilberforce, would become the newest members of the GCAC beginning July 2024.

Throughout the 2023-24 season, the GCAC sponsors 10 schools, with 10 men's basketball and 10 women's basketball programs. The 10 teams in each sport gives the GCAC two automatic berths in the NAIA championship tournament.

The regular-season champion and the tournament champion will each receive the berths.

Here are five interesting things to watch as the GCAC championship tournament approaches:

Tournament features two former NBA first-round picks

There are two teams in this tournament that are coached by former NBA first-round picks. Todd Day Sr. coaches

Philander-Smith and Kenny Anderson coaches Fisk.

GCAC commissioner makes history

Commissioner Dr. Kiki Baker Barnes is in her second season as the commissioner of the GCAC.

She is the first female and first African-American conference commissioner in the NAIA.

Fisk player makes history

Fisk University's Jeremiah Armstead became the first HBCU player to receive the U.S. Basketball Writers Association Most Courageous Award last week.

Southern University player's story

Southern University's Jamal "Tall" Gibson had never played organized basketball until this year. He is now a multiple-time GCAC player of the week and once an NAIA player of the week. He is averaging 20 points and 16 rebounds per game.

Tournament features two NAIA players of the week

Fisk University women's basketball's Maya Buckhanon and Jamal Gibson of Southern men's basketball have both been named NAIA players of the week at least once this season.