WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Winston-Salem State guard Cameron Campbell, one of three Rams chosen to compete in the first Carolina HBCU All-Star Game, is approaching this weekend's contest with gratitude and pride.

“I’m just always thankful to be able to do it again, I don’t ever take stuff like this for granted,” Campbell said. “Any time I can do that, I’m blessed and I’m thankful for it.”

What You Need To Know

  • The Greensboro Coliseum is hosting the first Carolina HBCU All-Star Game, bringing together athletes from both Carolinas

  • A women's game was scheduled, but it was switched to a 3-point contest due to injuries

  • A tailgate with free food and live music is set for 10 a.m. Saturday

  • Winston-Salem State guard Cameron Campbell was one of three Rams selected

Campbell was born and raised in North Carolina – he spent much of his life in Fayetteville.

He’s been playing basketball for a long time.

“My mom, growing up, she put me in a bunch of different sports,” he said. “When I was 3 years old, that’s when I played my first basketball game.

Now, roughly two decades later, Campbell has had a pretty good season this year. He shot 42% from the field and averaged 12 points a game. It was good enough to earn him a spot in the Carolina HBCU All-Star Game.

“It’s an honor, and for me, it’s more so an honor just because it’s the first one,” Campbell said. “All that’s going on with the HBCUs and the movement, I just think it’s great timing.”

The inaugural game will feature players from historically Black colleges and universities in North and South Carolina and be played at Greensboro Coliseum.

The draw of an HBCU is what brought Campbell to Winston-Salem State in the first place.

“You don’t have to go to a PWI (predominantly white institution), you don’t have to go to certain schools just to make it or be successful,” he said. “So, just them shining light and just showing that it’s possible from an HBCU, especially one in a city you grew up in.”

Since graduating last December, he’s been working out and preparing to sign an agent.

“Honestly, just staying ready because I’m at a point in my life where I really don’t know what’s next,” Campbell said. “I don’t know when I can get that call, so the best advice I’ve just been getting is just to stay ready.”

The HBCU game is not just a step in Campbell's sports career — he says it's point of pride.

“This is my job, this is my livelihood, for real,” Campbell said. “So, not necessarily that I don’t have a choice, but however I want the rest of my life to go depends on how hard I work, the decisions I make, and just keeping that motivation, just grinding harder every day.”

His future may be unknown, but there’s no doubt about his talent.

Campbell also played football before switching to just basketball. He says had he pursued football as a future, he would have chosen Jackson State University, also an HBCU, even if he had offers from Alabama, Georgia or any other Division I school.