Carmen Kweti is about to trade the MEAC’s gymnasiums for the concrete of New York City’s most famous basketball playground. The Norfolk State forward has been picked for the HBCU All-Star Dream Classic on August 8 at Rucker Park, one of 40 women from HBCU programs selected for the event.
The showcase also includes a men’s all-star game, but this isn’t just another exhibition. Rucker Park has hosted everyone from Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to Kevin Durant. For a player who grinded through Division II before landing at Norfolk State, it’s the kind of invite that validates the whole journey.
How She Got Here
Kweti started her college career at Virginia State during the 2024-25 season, and she didn’t waste time making an impression. In 29 games with 23 starts, she averaged just 6.7 points but grabbed 11.8 rebounds per game. That rebounding clip led the CIAA and ranked fourth in all of Division II. She also piled up 51 steals and 28 blocks, which earned her CIAA Defensive Player of the Year honors.
After that breakout year, she transferred to Norfolk State for the 2025-26 season. The numbers dipped a bit — 4.2 points and 6.0 rebounds per game — but her defensive impact didn’t. Kweti led the MEAC in blocks per game and finished second in total blocks. She started only 10 of 29 games but still made her presence felt, averaging 1.4 blocks and 1.0 steal.
A Signature Night Against Howard
Her best performance came on January 31 against Howard University. Kweti dropped 12 points, grabbed six boards and swatted five shots. That game showed exactly what she does: protect the rim, clean the glass and let the offense come to her. It’s not flashy, but it’s effective.
Now she gets to do it at Rucker Park, where the crowds are louder and the stakes feel higher even in a summer showcase. For a player who built her reputation on defense, it’s a chance to remind people that HBCU basketball produces real talent. And for Kweti, it’s another step in a career that keeps proving she belongs on the bigger stage.
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