PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland — Graduate forward Nathaniel Pollard Jr. was chosen to participate in the Second Annual "Classic for Columbus" College Basketball All-Star Game & Celebrity Extravaganza on Saturday, April 22 in Columbus, Ohio.

The event, held at the Schottenstein Center on the campus of The Ohio State University, pits top seniors from historically black colleges and universities across the country against top players from universities across the state of Ohio.

Former Chicago Bulls coach Jim Cleamons will lead the Ohio All-Stars team, while Robert Jones of Norfolk State will lead the HBCU squad. Pollard is one of four student-athletes representing the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference along with Joe Bryant Jr. and Kris Bankston (Norfolk State) and Sam Sessoms (Coppin State).

The HBCU All-Stars won last season's game, and eight players that participated in last season's event are now playing professionally.

Festivities begin at noon on Saturday with the Crane Group College Career & Community Fair. Colleges will provide enrollment, financial aid and scholarship information, while local employers and community-based groups will also be set up at the event.

This year, the weekend event will also include the Greater Columbus Basketball Legends Hall of Fame Induction Celebration. Following the game, the Isley Brothers will be performing as well.

Pollard heads to his second all-star game in recent weeks after taking home the 2023 HBCU All-Star Game MVP award. He recorded a double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds in the event, which coincided with NCAA Final Four festivities in Houston, Texas.

The Richmond, Virginia native was named to the All-MEAC Second Team after finishing the season as the conference's top rebounder. Pollard also piled up six double-doubles throughout the 2022-23 campaign.