Howard University Students Bring the Jordan Brand Classic to Life Through Film

Monica Lewis
Jun 30, 2025 4 minutes

HU Student Harmony Bailey and Carmelo Anthony

HU Student Harmony Bailey and Maya Moore — Howard student Harmony Bailey interviews Maya Moore for “Greatness in the Making,” a mini documentary chronicling the Jordan Brand Classic.

Washington, D.C. - When the prestigious Jordan Brand Classic returned to the nation’s capital in April for its 23rd anniversary, the nation’s top high school basketball players weren’t the only ones who got to show off their skills. Behind the scenes, five talented students from Howard University were making their own mark — this time, through the lens of a camera.

Tasked with capturing the spirit, energy, and significance of the high-profile high school basketball showcase, the Howard students produced a special mini documentary, “Greatness in the Making.” The film, which was released today, documents the high school players’ participation in the weekend’s events – from visits to some of the city’s most iconic landmarks, to a special session on campus where they learned the business of sports, to pre-game moments and post-game reflections. The games — featuring elite boys’ and girls’ teams — were held at Care First Arena here in Washington, D.C., the same city where the Jordan Brand Classic first began. The documentary is now live on the Jordan Brand’s @Jumpman23 YouTube channel.

The Howard students who participated in this special project are Harmony Bailey (co-director/producer), Chase Drewery (creative and co-director of photography), Curtis Merritt (director of photography/lead editor), Faith Mulosmanaj (co-director/producer), and Chris Nwafor (director of photography/lead editor). The students come from a range of academic disciplines, from finance to journalism, but shared a passion for storytelling, and collaborated on every aspect of the production process. From camera work and lighting to conducting on-site interviews and post-production editing, they demonstrated the creativity, skill, and professionalism that has become synonymous with Howard University’s legacy of excellence.

The project was yet another example of the innovative and impactful work that happens when Howard University and Jordan Brand collaborate.

“At Jordan Brand, we have an unwavering commitment to inspiring greatness, including creating opportunities both on and off the court,” said Shauncey Stelly, director of Global Purpose at Jordan Brand. “In supporting the incredible students from Howard University and then seeing the results of their project, it is a testament to what can be achieved when there is access to opportunity. The future is so bright for them and we look forward to seeing what they accomplish with their potential.”

The project began with a series of pre-production meetings in the weeks leading up to the Jordan Brand Classic. Once the Jordan Brand team and high school all stars from across the country arrived, the Howard students became embedded with the group, chronicling their every move as they prepared for the game.

More than just a technical assignment, the film offered the students a chance to engage with a global brand and a culturally significant event, all while gaining real-world production experience in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment.

The result is a compelling short film that reflects the energy of the tournament, the pride of the players, and the importance of Howard University’s continued role in shaping the next generation of Black creatives and storytellers.

Bailey, a rising senior broadcast journalism major from Los Angeles, is known to many Bison fans as the in-game voice of Howard’s men’s basketball team, working to get the crowd engaged and excited on game days. For this project, she had the opportunity to sit down with some of the Jordan Brand Classic standouts, including Bella Hines, who last year became the first high school player to have an NIL (name, image and likeness) deal with Jordan, and Kiyan Anthony, the son of former NBA player Carmelo Anthony, who also played in the inaugural Jordan Brand Classic in 2002.

The experience of working closely with professional creatives and meeting the rising basketball stars was a rewarding opportunity, Bailey said.

“When I first found out about the opportunity, I immediately thought it was such a blessing,” said Bailey, who is spending her summer in New York as a remote production intern with CBS Sports. “Everything, from the pre-production meetings, the production itself, and the post-production editing, was such a great experience. The lessons I learned and the bonds I was able to build were just invaluable.”

As the Jordan Brand Classic continues to celebrate basketball greatness, these Howard students reminded everyone watching that greatness exists behind the scenes, too — and it’s filming, editing, and telling stories that deserve to be seen.

Bailey said she and her fellow students are even more excited to see the final project and see how the public receives it.

“I hope that our passion is recognized because we truly did put our all into this,” Bailey said. And I hope that it opens the door to more opportunities for me. It was such a cool experience that helped me learn so much and keep pushing to move toward achieving my goals.