Kristian Ferrell
The Basketball Tournament (TBT) is an annual, open-invitation, single-elimination basketball tournament played each summer in the United States. The tournament was founded in 2014 by real estate developer and TV producer Jonathan Mugar, and as of 2024, it airs on Fox and its sister network Fox Sports 1 (FS1). TBT uses a modified version of NCAA men's basketball rules, including 9-minute quarters and players fouling out upon their 6th personal foul. The winner of the tournament receives a cash prize, which was $1 million in 2024. TBT has featured current and former NBA and WNBA players, such as Jason Williams, Matt Bonner, and Nikki Teasley.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of teams | 64 |
| Prize money | $1 million |
| Format | Single-elimination tournament |
| Rules | Modified version of NCAA men's basketball rules |
| Quarters | 9 minutes |
| Foul outs | 6th personal foul |
| Bonus free throws | Follow NCAA women's and FIBA rules |
| Overtime | None (due to the adoption of the Elam Ending for all games) |
| Player participation | Current and former NBA and WNBA players |
| Team composition | Professional players reunited under a former college or university name |
| Fan support | Active NBA players |
| Host sites | Exciting regions around the country |
| Home court advantage | First team to sell 4,000 tickets |
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What You'll Learn
TBT 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 64-team field, with teams arranged by the general manager, sometimes based on the college basketball program the players competed for.
TBT uses a modified version of the NCAA men's basketball rules. Here are the notable rules and how they differ from the standard rules:
- Games are played in 9-minute quarters instead of 20-minute halves.
- Players foul out upon their 6th personal foul instead of the 5th.
- Bonus free throws follow NCAA women's and FIBA rules, with two free throws on the 5th and subsequent non-shooting fouls by the defense in a quarter. However, if a foul occurs during the Elam Ending that would result in bonus free throws, the non-fouling team is awarded one free throw and possession of the ball.
- FIBA rules on basket interference are followed, except on free throws. Once the ball hits the rim on a field goal attempt, any player on either team can play the ball, regardless of its movement direction or position.
- Replay reviews are governed by NCAA rules, with a modification: reviews are allowed only in the last two minutes of a game under NCAA rules. In TBT, a review is allowed only if either team is within three points of the Elam Ending target score.
- There is no overtime due to the adoption of the Elam Ending for all games. The Elam Ending was designed to prevent constant fouling at the end of close games.
- The Elam Ending format: At the first whistle after the four-minute mark in the fourth quarter, the game clock is turned off, and the teams play to a target score. This target score is calculated by adding eight points to the leading team's score at the first stoppage. The game then ends when a team reaches this target score.
The TBT rules provide a unique format for the tournament, creating exciting and competitive games while reducing the impact of intentional fouling strategies.
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TBT format
The Basketball Tournament (TBT) is an annual, open-invitation, single-elimination tournament played during the summer in the United States. The tournament was founded in 2014 by real estate developer and TV producer Jonathan Mugar, and it has since crowned eleven champions and awarded more than $17 million in prizes. The number of teams participating in the tournament has varied, ranging from 24 teams in 2020 to as many as 97 teams in 2015. However, in recent years, the tournament has typically featured a 64-team field, including the upcoming 2025 tournament.
The teams in TBT are often arranged by the general manager and may be based on the college basketball programs that the players previously competed for. Many teams feature professional players reuniting under a former college or university name. TBT has attracted current and former NBA and WNBA players, including Hakim Warrick, Jason Williams, Nikki Teasley, and Greg Oden.
The tournament format consists of eight regions, with each region hosting eight teams. The winner of each regional tournament advances to the championship venue for a chance to compete for the grand prize. The regional hosts are determined by ticket sales, with the first team to sell 4,000 tickets earning the home-court advantage. The other seven hosts are ranked based on the speed of ticket sales.
TBT uses a modified version of the NCAA men's basketball rules. Games are played in 9-minute quarters, and players are allowed to remain in the game after five personal fouls, only fouling out on their sixth. Bonus free-throw opportunities are determined by following NCAA women's and FIBA rules. Additionally, TBT has adopted the Elam Ending for all games, eliminating the need for overtime.
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TBT history
The Basketball Tournament (TBT) is an annual open-invitation, single-elimination basketball tournament founded in 2014 by real estate developer and TV producer Jonathan Mugar. Entering its 12th year in 2025, the tournament has crowned eleven champions and awarded more than $17 million in prizes. The most recent tournament in 2024 had a $1 million purse going to the winners.
The number of teams playing in the tournament has varied since its establishment, ranging from 24 teams in 2020 to 97 teams in 2015. In recent years, the tournament has settled into a 64-team field, with eight regions, and each regional winner advancing to the championship venue. The tournament has featured professional players reunited under former college or university names, with teams representing various states and universities across the United States.
TBT uses a modified version of NCAA men's basketball rules. Some of the significant exceptions include playing in 9-minute quarters instead of 20-minute halves, players fouling out after their 6th personal foul, and following FIBA rules on basket interference, except on free throws.
The tournament has attracted current and former NBA and WNBA players, such as Hakim Warrick, Jason Williams, Nikki Teasley, and Greg Oden. It has also received support from active NBA players like Kyle Lowry and Obi Toppin. Five alumni teams have won TBT: Buffalo, Marquette, Notre Dame, Ohio State, and Syracuse.
TBT has become a highly anticipated summer event, with host sites across the country and teams selling tickets to gain home-court advantage. The regional winners advance to the quarterfinals, semifinals, and ultimately, the $1 million championship game.
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TBT winners
The Basketball Tournament (TBT) is an annual, open-invitation, single-elimination basketball tournament played each summer in the United States. The tournament was founded in 2014 by real estate developer and TV producer Jonathan Mugar. TBT uses a modified version of NCAA men's basketball rules. The number of teams playing in the tournament has varied since its establishment, ranging from 24 teams in 2020 to 97 teams in 2015. In recent years, the tournament has featured a 64-team field.
The winners of the TBT receive a cash prize, which has ranged from $500,000 in 2014 to $2 million from 2016 through 2019. Since 2020, the top prize has been $1 million. The first TBT champions were Overseas Elite, who defeated Team 23, 67-65, on August 2, 2015. Overseas Elite successfully defended their title in 2016, beating Team Colorado, 77-72, with Arizona alumnus Kyle Fogg named MVP. In 2017, Overseas Elite claimed their third consecutive TBT championship, defeating Team Challenge ALS, 86-83, with Fogg again being named MVP. On August 3, 2018, Overseas Elite won their fourth straight title, defeating Eberlein Drive, 70-58, with D. J. Kennedy claiming his second MVP award.
In 2019, the Marquette alumni team, Golden Eagles, faced off against the Ohio State alumni team, Carmen's Crew, in the final. Carmen's Crew had defeated the reigning four-time champion Overseas Elite to advance to the championship game. The Golden Eagles emerged victorious, claiming the TBT title and the $2 million prize.
As TBT enters its 12th year in 2025, the tournament will feature 64 teams competing across eight exciting regions throughout the country. The first team to sell 4,000 tickets will earn Home Court Advantage, with the remaining seven hosts ranked according to the fastest sales.
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TBT participants
The Basketball Tournament (TBT) is an open-invitation, single-elimination tournament played each summer in the United States. The number of teams has varied since its founding in 2014, ranging from 24 to 97 teams, but in recent years it has settled on a 64-team field. The tournament features a mix of professional players, former college players, and current NBA and WNBA players.
Many teams in TBT are organised by the general manager and are often based on the college basketball program the players competed for. For example, several teams in TBT 2025 feature players reuniting under their former college or university names, such as Indiana's Alumni Team, which includes Yogi Ferrell and James Blackmon Jr., and Boeheim's Army, which includes Jimmy Boeheim, Buddy Boeheim, and their father, Jim Boeheim, as Head Coach Emeritus.
TBT has also attracted the participation of current and former NBA and WNBA players. Former NBA players who have participated include Hakim Warrick, Jason Williams, Dahntay Jones, Mike Bibby, Royal Ivey, Matt Bonner, Jimmer Fredette, and Brian Scalabrine. Former WNBA player Nikki Teasley played in the 2014 tournament, and in 2019, Megan Gustafson, who had been cut by the Dallas Wings, was slated to play for Iowa United before being re-signed by the Wings. Active NBA players have also shown their support, with players like Kyle Lowry and Obi Toppin supporting teams.
Several alumni teams have found success in TBT, with Buffalo, Marquette, Notre Dame, Ohio State, and Syracuse claiming the title in previous years. Overseas Elite has also dominated the tournament, winning four consecutive finals from 2015 to 2018.
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Frequently asked questions
TBT stands for The Basketball Tournament. It is an open-invitation, single-elimination tournament played each summer in the United States.
TBT was founded in 2014 by real estate developer and TV producer Jonathan Mugar.
The number of teams has varied over the years, ranging from 24 to 97. In recent years, the tournament has settled into a 64-team field.
TBT uses a modified version of NCAA men's basketball rules. Games are played in 9-minute quarters, and players foul out after their 6th personal foul. Bonus free-throw rules follow NCAA women's and FIBA rules.
