Atlanta, Ga. – Ariel Bland’s final stat line in his collegiate career: 17 minutes, 8 points, 2 blocks and a team-high 7 rebounds.
The 6-7 Bland (Eden Prairie) is one of two Minnesotans playing in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) this season. He transferred to Bethune-Cookman after four seasons at UC Santa Barbara (2021–25). Southern University guard/forward Puoch “PJ” Dobuol (St. Cloud) is the other Minnesotan.
“I think I got more comfortable in what we were doing,” said Bland. “I always felt I had a passive way of playing, but I became more comfortable in what I do and in myself personally.”
Why Bethune-Cookman?
“It was really a tough decision because I was at Santa Clara for so long. I wanted a new experience. I talked to Coach Reggie (Theus) and Coach Pat (Eberhart), and I felt they had a good roster coming in and that I could fit in nicely. We had a chance to win our conference in the regular season,” said Bland.
Theus, the 2026 SWAC Coach of the Year, said of Bland: “In totality, he was one of our best players in the second half of the season. He was amazing. I am so pleased and excited for him. We knew he was good, but he did things better than we anticipated.”
The Wildcats finished atop the SWAC regular-season standings and reached the quarterfinals before losing to Prairie View.
“It’s been a blessing, really,” said Bland about playing for Theus, a former NBA All-Star and assistant coach for several teams, including the Minnesota Timberwolves. “Just picking his brain as much as I can, practicing with him every day and watching film with him. I like learning how he saw the game.”
Bland earned a degree in organizational leadership and said he is anxious to see what’s next.
“Maybe playing a little bit professionally, but my main goal is to be a GM of an NBA team,” he pointed out, “and whatever it takes to get there.”
Transfer portal realities
Several SWAC coaches spoke about the ever-present transfer portal.
“Everything is a one-year deal,” reaffirmed Theus, who also serves as Bethune-Cookman’s athletic director.
“That’s the change in men’s and women’s basketball right now,” added Jackson State women’s basketball coach Margaret Richards, a 19-year coaching veteran. “You try to keep and retain your players so you have continuity going into the next year. You’ve got to do the best you can to recruit kids who fit your system, your program and your culture.”
Grambling coach Courtney Simmons pointed out, “For us, we’ve got to find that diamond in the rough. Find kids who really don’t care about NIL … to find kids that want to be at Grambling.”
Alcorn State’s Jake Morton bluntly explained the numbers: “When that portal opens, there will be 6,000 kids trying to get scholarships. No one explains that math, but that’s real math — 350 schools and there were 3.2 scholarships available on average last year. It’s really bad math.”
A first year at FAMU
Ronald Foxx just completed his first year as Florida A&M women’s basketball operations director.
“My first year has been amazing,” Foxx told MSR. “I’ve grown a lot as a person and as a coach. Our head coach Bridgette Gordon has a wealth of knowledge.
Her history and her resume speak volumes. To be able to coach and work under her will help me grow in basketball in general.”
Vendors at the SWAC tournament
MSR spoke with two Black vendors selling merchandise on opposite sides of Gateway Center Arena.
“I’m licensed for all the schools in the league,” said Forrest Sigler, attending his first SWAC tournament. “The name of the clothing brand is Black Renaissance Clothing.”
“I’ve been in business over 15 years,” reiterated Sed Easterling. “I don’t have a best-selling item.”
Finally…
Nina Thorson (Duluth, Minn.), the MIAC’s only Black women’s hockey player this season, scored the game-winner in Hamline’s 3–0 victory over Endicott to advance to the NCAA Division III quarterfinals on March 21.
She also became the first Black women’s hockey player to win the MIAC Women’s Hockey Rookie of the Year award.
Thorson, whom MSR featured earlier this season, led all first-year players with 19 points, 11 goals and four game-winners, and is the first Hamline Piper to win the award since the league established it in 2022–23.
Charles Hallman welcomes reader responses at challman@spokesman-recorder.com.