Portland Trail Blazers teammates Robert Covington and Damian Lillard both support the NBA's philanthropic focus on historically black colleges and universities. Three-pointers weren't the only winners in Sunday night's 2021 All-Star Game.

Portland Trail Blazers teammates Robert Covington and Damian Lillard both support the NBA's philanthropic focus on historically black colleges and universities.

Three-pointers weren't the only winners in Sunday night's 2021 All-Star Game. More than $3 million was donated to HBCUs and other programs impacted by COVID-19 through the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, the United Negro College Fund, the National Association for Equal Opportunity and the Health Equity Direct Relief Fund. Meanwhile, ASG captains LeBron James (TMCF) and Kevin Durant (UNCF) each picked bonuses of at least $500,000 for their organizations.

Covington is the only active player from an HBCU in the league as the Tennessee Tigers from the Ohio Valley Conference competed in the 2021 NBA Skills Challenge on Sunday night. The Trail Blazers forward wasted no time in revealing that he would wear a custom black jersey from the University of Tennessee for the game, before surprising two students at the school with scholarships worth up to $25,000:

Robert Covington Jean Two students at his alma mater, Tennessee, were stunned, each receiving $25,000 scholarships.

University of Tennessee track and field athlete Michael Thompson said to Covington: Thank you Robert Covington, you changed my life.

Lillard, a Weber State legend himself, understands what it means to come from a small college. He spoke behind Covington on Sunday night. It was an eventful night for the Trail Blazers star, who scored 32 points and hit the game-winning three-pointer.

Marc J. Spears of the Undefeated Team said: "A big reason why they are not considered by the top players is that their resources and facilities are not the same as those conference schools. It is not as attractive.

"This is the NBA that includes HBCUs A start. They're being watched by more kids because there are so many kids following the NBA, so it's a step in the right direction. "

As of 2020, more than 74% of the best basketball leagues in the world are black, but HBCU enrollment has dropped to about 9% in recent years.

If this is the beginning of the NBA's focus on raising public awareness and creating more educational opportunities , that would be huge news. Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James is joining Florida A&M University. Phoenix Suns point guard and future Hall of Famer Chris Paul also recently lent his creative hand. Enter the world of HBCUs and help produce eight episodes of "Why Not Us" - centered on men's basketball at NCCU, currently airing on ESPN+.