One day, during Thomas Weaver’s sophomore year, he sat across from basketball Head Coach Kenneth Blakeney for one of their weekly check-in meetings. They often ran long, filled with conversations that stretched far beyond the game. That day, Blakeney challenged him in a way that stuck.
“Your voice is going to be needed,” Blakeney told Weaver. “We need to hear you.”
At that moment, something clicked. Weaver realized his influence had the potential to extend beyond the stat sheet, he said. That leadership wasn’t just about scoring, but about impact, connection and using his voice.
The sophomore guard walked out of that meeting not just thinking about the next game, but about the next phase of his life. Coaching, he realized, might be it.
Three years later, Weaver returns to The Mecca as Howard University men’s basketball’s newest assistant coach, ready to guide the next generation of Bison alongside the same mentor who pushed him to find his voice.
“It’s great to be back,” Weaver said. “From my official visit in 2019, I knew it was a no-brainer to come here as a player and be part of the vision Coach Blakeney had for this program and to help build a foundation that’s now in place for the team and for the future.”
As a native of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, Weaver grew up surrounded by basketball — from playing in local recreational leagues across the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia (DMV) to watching his father, Troy Weaver, now the general manager of the New Orleans Pelicans, work in the NBA for over two decades.
That early exposure sparked not just a love for the game, but an understanding of the discipline and vision it takes to lead, Weaver said.
At Howard, Weaver played four seasons under Blakeney from 2020 to 2024. He helped Howard secure two Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Tournament titles and two NCAA Tournament appearances, earning recognition for his leadership on and off the court.
After graduating in 2024, Weaver joined the University of Maryland’s men’s basketball program as a graduate assistant. There, he helped the Terrapins reach the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16 before returning to Howard ahead of the 2025–26 season.
Now, as he continues his basketball journey through his professional career, Weaver is channeling lessons he once received as a player to push the next generation of Bison to lead with their voices and confidence.
“It’s funny, because when I watch some of our guys, I see a lot of myself in them,” Weaver said. “As a coach, I just try to connect with the players in the same way Coach Blakeney connected with me by challenging them, but also understanding them.”
For Blakeney, Weaver’s return reflects the values the program emphasizes within its players and staff.
“Thomas embodies what we want a Bison to be — selfless, prepared and relentless,” Blakeney said. “He was a connector as a player, and that same leadership now elevates our staff and our guys every day.”
The men’s basketball program continued its leadership rearrangements this offseason by also promoting Daniel Marks to general manager and name, image and likeness (NIL) strategist after serving as the program’s first-ever chief program strategist since 2022.
“This role is about taking on the new landscape of college athletics with revenue sharing, the transfer portal and helping us stay ahead of the curve while managing relationships that are valuable across the spectrum in this space,” Marks said.
Marks, who previously spent nine seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks as manager of prospect information, will continue overseeing roster building, alumni engagement and NIL strategy while serving as a key liaison between the team and NBA programs.
“I’m really grateful to Coach Blakeney for believing in me to help elevate the program.” Marks said.
Both of the new management role changes come during a period of continued growth within Howard’s men’s basketball program.
“Growing up in the area, Howard wasn’t known for basketball at all,” Weaver said. “However, we’ve changed that narrative. The next step is advancing further, making that Cinderella run to the Sweet 16 or Elite Eight. That’s the new standard we’re building toward.”
As Howard gears up for the 2025–26 season with Weaver’s homecoming and Marks’ expanded roles, Blakeney’s staff features familiar faces in new ways, combining experience and leadership built within the program.
Marks and Weaver call on the Bison community to show up for the team.
“We need the student body’s support to help pack out the Burr,” Marks said. “On Nov. 3, we have the University of Missouri—an [Southeastern Conference] school—coming to play us on opening night, which is a huge deal.”
According to Marks, Blakeney intentionally decided to start the season off with four straight home games, unlike last year, to encourage the student body to come out and create a home-court atmosphere that sets the team up for a strong start.
“Come out and support,” Weaver said. “We have a team that can continue to build on the success and culture that’s been set over the past few years. It would mean a lot to see everyone show up, celebrate this team and be a part of this year.”
Copy edited by Daryl R. Thomas Jr.
