Helena Frye
The Basketball Tournament (TBT) is an annual, open-invitation, single-elimination basketball tournament played in the summer across the United States, with the winning team taking home a cash prize. The tournament was founded in 2014 by real estate developer and TV producer Jonathan Mugar, and has since featured many current and former NBA and WNBA players.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full Form | The Basketball Tournament |
| Type of Tournament | Single-elimination tournament |
| Year of Inception | 2014 |
| Founder | Jonathan Mugar |
| Number of Teams | 64 (varied in the past) |
| Prize Money | $1 million |
| Rules | Modified version of NCAA men's basketball rules |
| Participants | Current and former NBA and WNBA players |
| Regions | 8 |
| Host Teams | Alumni teams representing locally renowned college basketball programs |
| Home Court Advantage | Host teams can play in their home arena |
| Special Feature | Elam Ending |
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What You'll Learn
TBT stands for The Basketball Tournament
The Basketball Tournament features a unique format called the Elam Ending, which was implemented in 2017. This format was designed by Nick Elam, a basketball enthusiast who sought to address the frequent intentional fouling by the trailing team in the final minutes of a game. Instead of relying on a clock to determine the end of a game, the Elam Ending involves a race to a target score. At the first dead ball with less than four minutes remaining, the game clock is turned off, and a final target score is announced. This target score is calculated by adding eight points to the leading team's current score. The first team to reach or exceed this target score wins the game.
The Elam Ending has been well-received by players and fans, creating more intense and strategic gameplay while reducing the number of games ending with free throws. Its success in The Basketball Tournament led to its adoption in the 2020 NBA All-Star Game, further showcasing its impact on the sport.
The Basketball Tournament has attracted current and former NBA and WNBA players, including Hakim Warrick, Jason Williams, Dahntay Jones, Mike Bibby, and Nikki Teasley. It also features teams representing various colleges and universities, often reuniting professional players under their former school names. The tournament has a strong following, with fans supporting their favourite teams and players.
The Basketball Tournament, or TBT, has become a prominent event in the basketball community, offering exciting competition, innovative formats, and a platform for players to showcase their skills. With its growing popularity and significant cash prizes, it continues to be a highly anticipated tournament each summer.
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It's an open-invitation, single-elimination tournament
TBT stands for "The Basketball Tournament", which is an open-invitation, single-elimination tournament played each summer in the United States. The tournament was founded in 2014 by real estate developer and TV producer Jonathan Mugar, and it has since become a highly anticipated annual event for basketball fans and players alike.
The Basketball Tournament (TBT) is unique in that it offers an open invitation to all teams wishing to participate. This means that anyone can form a team and compete in the tournament, creating a diverse and exciting field of competitors. The number of teams has varied over the years, with as many as 97 teams participating in 2015 and as few as 24 teams in 2020. In recent years, the tournament has typically featured a 64-team field, creating a highly competitive and intense atmosphere.
One of the most exciting aspects of TBT is the single-elimination format. This means that once a team loses a game, they are eliminated from the tournament. This creates a high-stakes environment where every game is crucial and every point matters. The single-elimination format adds a layer of excitement and unpredictability to the tournament, as anything can happen and underdogs can rise to the top.
The tournament is not only a showcase of talent and skill but also a platform for teams to represent their communities and local colleges. Many teams in TBT are arranged by the general manager based on the college basketball program the players competed for, creating a sense of pride and camaraderie among the players and fans. The tournament has featured teams representing well-known colleges such as Arkansas, Georgetown, UCLA, and many others.
In addition to the thrilling gameplay, TBT has also implemented unique rules and formats to enhance the viewing experience. One notable example is the Elam Ending, introduced in 2017. Instead of a traditional game clock determining the end of a game, the Elam Ending involves the two teams racing to a target score. This format was designed to reduce intentional fouling by the trailing team and create a more intense and strategic finish to the game. The Elam Ending has been widely embraced by players and fans, adding to the excitement and unpredictability of TBT.
The Basketball Tournament (TBT) is not just about the sport; it's about community, passion, and the love of the game. With a cash prize on the line and the glory of being crowned the champion, TBT has become a highly anticipated event in the basketball world, bringing together players and fans from all walks of life.
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TBT uses modified NCAA men's basketball rules
The Basketball Tournament (TBT) is an annual open-invitation, single-elimination tournament played in the summer across the United States. The tournament features a cash prize for the winners, with the most recent tournament in 2025 awarding the winning team, the Aftershocks (Wichita State Alumni), a $1 million purse.
TBT uses a modified version of the NCAA men's basketball rules. The following are some of the most significant exceptions to the NCAA rules:
- Games are played in 9-minute quarters instead of 20-minute halves (or the 10-minute quarters of the NCAA women's game).
- Players are allowed to remain in the game after accumulating five personal fouls and only foul out upon their sixth personal foul.
- Bonus free throws follow NCAA women's and FIBA rules, with two free throws on the fifth and subsequent non-shooting fouls by the defence in a quarter. An exception to this rule was added for the 2020 tournament; any foul during the Elam Ending that would result in bonus free throws instead gives the non-fouling team one free throw and possession of the ball. This change aims to reduce the number of games ending on free throws.
- FIBA rules on basket interference are followed, except on free throws. Once the ball hits the rim on a field goal attempt, any player from either team can play the ball, regardless of its movement direction or position.
- Replay review is governed by NCAA rules, but with a modification: any review allowed only in the last two minutes of a game under NCAA rules is permitted in TBT only if either team is within three points of the Elam Ending target score.
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The Elam Ending is used in TBT games
The Basketball Tournament (TBT) is an annual, open-invitation, single-elimination tournament played in the summer in the United States. The tournament features a mix of professional and amateur players, including current and former NBA and WNBA players, as well as alumni teams from colleges and universities. The winning team receives a cash prize, which in recent years has been $1 million.
The Elam Ending is a format designed to enhance the excitement and intensity of the game, particularly towards the end of the fourth quarter. It was created by basketball superfan and Ball State University professor Nick Elam, who proposed the idea to TBT organisers in 2016. The Elam Ending was first introduced at TBT in 2017 and has been used in all games since 2018.
Under the Elam Ending format, the game clock is turned off with four minutes or less remaining in the fourth quarter. A Target Score is then set by adding eight points to the leading team's score (in previous years, the target score was seven points higher). The first team to reach the Target Score wins the game. This format eliminates the need for overtime and encourages clutch performances, with players stepping up to hit game-winning shots.
The Elam Ending has been well-received by fans and players, with NBA All-Star Chris Paul endorsing the format after witnessing its success in TBT. The 2020 NBA All-Star Game implemented the Elam Ending, setting the Target Score at 24 points in honour of the late Kobe Bryant, who wore the number 24 during his illustrious career with the Los Angeles Lakers. The Elam Ending has also been adopted by other basketball leagues, such as the Canadian Elite Basketball League and the NBA G League, as well as other sports like soccer.
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TBT has had current and former NBA players participate
The Basketball Tournament (TBT) has attracted the participation of several current and former NBA players. The tournament's format, which reunites professional players under their former college or university teams, has drawn the attention and involvement of many NBA stars.
In 2016, NBA players John Wall, Kristaps Porzingis, Rudy Gay, Shaun Livingston, Chandler Parsons, and Austin Rivers served as boosters for different teams. The following year, Carmelo Anthony hosted the tournament in Baltimore, the city where he played high school basketball. TBT 2019 saw even more NBA involvement, with Chris Paul and DeMarcus Cousins entering teams, while Bobby Portis and Andre Drummond coached sides.
TBT has also been a platform for former NBA players to showcase their skills again. The 2018 tournament marked the return of Greg Oden to the basketball court, and other former NBA players who have participated include Hakim Warrick, Jason Williams, Dahntay Jones, Mike Bibby, Royal Ivey, Matt Bonner, Jimmer Fredette, and Brian Scalabrine.
Additionally, active NBA players like Kyle Lowry and Obi Toppin have shown their support for teams featuring their alma maters. TBT's format encourages fan engagement from current NBA players, creating a unique connection between the professional league and the college game.
The involvement of current and former NBA players in TBT elevates the tournament's prestige and excitement. It provides an opportunity for fans to witness the talent and competitiveness of NBA stars outside of the regular NBA season, further enhancing the popularity and appeal of The Basketball Tournament.
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Frequently asked questions
TBT stands for The Basketball Tournament.
The Basketball Tournament is an open-invitation, single-elimination tournament played each summer in the United States. The tournament was founded in 2014 by real estate developer and TV producer Jonathan Mugar.
The Basketball Tournament is open to everyone. Many teams feature professional players reunited under a former college or university name. TBT has had a number of current and former NBA players participate, including Hakim Warrick, Jason Williams, and Dahntay Jones.
