What’s New?
Struggling in international play
The star-studded 1992 Olympic ‘Dream Team’ lost one game. On Feb. 17, HBO released ‘We Beat The Dream,’ a documentary recounting a team of college basketball stars who defeated arguably the greatest basketball team assembled in a scrimmage. Among those college athletes? FISLL founder Allan Houston.
Words From the Youth
Rae Burrell - Vinyl BC and Los Angeles Sparks guard-forward Rae Burrell was the 9th pick in the 2022 WNBA Draft. The University of Tennessee alumna provided her word for March’s newsletter edition when Vinyl was on an eight-game losing streak. Since, the team is 2-2.
Allan's Thoughts
Allan talks about the most important women in his life and their impact for Women's History Month
Featured Story
Howard University guard Blake Harper prioritizes leadership amid rising stardom
Blake Harper failed his conditioning test in June 2024, prohibiting the Howard University guard from practicing with the team for his first two months. Now, Harper is one of the best freshmen in the country.
Harper’s 19.7 points per game is third among Division I freshmen, just behind Duke forward Cooper Flagg and Texas guard Tre Johnson. The Howard team captain has earned a record-setting 15-straight MEAC Rookie of the Week awards. Despite his success, the Washington, D.C. native focuses on leading his team effectively.
“Direct communication goes a long way, and if we are all on the same page at all times and always connected, then it will always be hard to stop us,” Harper told the Flame.
Howard sits third in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference standings with a 7-3 record. The Bison trust their freshman star to guide them to a third-straight conference title when the playoffs begin on March 12 in Norfolk, Va.
“I don’t know how many guys have ever been voted captain as a freshman at Howard or just collegiately, but I think it speaks volumes of the type of leader that he is and how his peers view him in terms of his ability to lead the team,” said Howard coach
Kenneth Blakeney.
Bison guard Bryce Harris believes Harper’s actions earned him the team’s trust.
“He knows so much as a freshman, and he leads by example, not just telling people what to do,” Harris told the Flame. “He came in and grabbed the reins early.”
Harper desires to win a conference championship at Howard and make it to the NBA. Thanks to Blakeney, he recognizes that selfish ambition won’t help him achieve his goals. Selfless leadership will.
“Coach KB has emphasized to me, ‘If you want to go fast, then go alone. If you want to go far, bring others with you,’” Harper said.
STAY ENGAGED
DM us on Instagram @FISLL a 30 second video about the important woman in your life for a chance to be posted on the FISLL Instagram page!
Only applies to the month of March.
If you missed February's The Flame, check it out here: The Flame - February 2025