Humboldt State Athletics

Humboldt State men’s basketball will host more than just a season opener when Lincoln University travels to Arcata on Saturday night.

The Oaklanders are fielding a basketball team for the first time ever this season and recently hired NBA Hall of Famer Gary Payton to coach the team.

Known as “The Glove,” the legendary Payton played 17 years in the NBA, including a 13-year stint with the Seattle Supersonics.

The Oakland native also played for the Bucks, Lakers and Celtics, and won an NBA championship with the Heat.

Lincoln University is a small private school in Oakland and is competing in athletics this year for the first time in its 101 year history.

The Jacks, meanwhile, are off to a 2-0 start with wins over Western Washington (70-69) and Simon Fraser (63-59) over the weekend.

Jaden Edwards impressed for the HSU men in his first action with the team, averaging 15.5 points and 12 rebounds over the first two games.

Saturday night’s game tips off at 7 p.m.