Andrew Pace
The Basketball Tournament (TBT) is an annual, open-invitation, single-elimination tournament played in the summer across various regions in the United States. The tournament was founded in 2014 by real estate developer and TV producer Jonathan Mugar, and it offers a substantial cash prize for the winning team, with a $1 million purse for the 2024 tournament winners. TBT features a mix of professional players, former college athletes, and NCAA Division II or III players, with teams arranged by the general manager, often based on college basketball programs. The tournament has gained popularity, attracting current and former NBA and WNBA players, and has expanded to other sports, including soccer.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of teams | 64 |
| Prize money | $1 million |
| Founding year | 2014 |
| Founder | Jonathan Mugar |
| Broadcast partners | Fox, Fox Sports 1 |
| Rules | Modified version of NCAA men's basketball rules |
| Game format | 9-minute quarters |
| Foul outs | 6th personal foul |
| Bonus free throws | Two free throws on the 5th and subsequent non-shooting fouls by the defense in a quarter |
| Overtime | None due to the adoption of the Elam Ending |
| Player eligibility | Players who have exhausted their college eligibility, some NCAA Division II or III players |
| Team composition | Professional players reunited under a former college or university name |
| Notable participants | Hakim Warrick, Jason Williams, Dahntay Jones, Mike Bibby, Nikki Teasley, Greg Oden |
| Winning teams | Notre Dame Fighting Alumni (2014), Overseas Elite (2015), Buffalo, Marquette, Ohio State, Syracuse |
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What You'll Learn
TBT's history and rules
The Basketball Tournament (TBT) is an annual, open-invitation, single-elimination tournament played in the summer in the United States. The tournament was founded in 2014 by real estate developer and TV producer Jonathan Mugar, and longtime friends, comedy writer Jon Mugar and attorney Dan Friel. The tournament features a cash prize for the winners, with the most recent tournament in 2024 awarding $1 million to the winning team.
TBT uses a modified version of NCAA men's basketball rules. The most significant exceptions include:
- 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 defence in a quarter.
- FIBA rules on basket interference are followed, except on free throws. Once the ball hits the rim, any player on either team can play the ball.
The number of teams participating in the tournament has varied, with as many as 97 teams in 2015 and as few as 24 teams in 2020. In recent years, the tournament has typically featured a 64-team field. Teams in TBT are often arranged by the general manager, sometimes based on which college basketball program the players competed for. Many teams feature professional players reuniting under a former college or university name.
TBT has featured several current and former NBA and WNBA players, including Hakim Warrick, Jason Williams, Dahntay Jones, Mike Bibby, and Nikki Teasley. The tournament has also received support from active NBA players such as Kyle Lowry and Obi Toppin. In 2019, Chris Paul and DeMarcus Cousins entered teams into the tournament, further showcasing its growth and popularity.
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TBT's format and structure
The Basketball Tournament (TBT) is an open-invitation, single-elimination tournament played each summer in the United States. The tournament features a cash prize for the winners, with a $1 million purse for the most recent tournament in 2024. The number of teams has varied since its founding in 2014, ranging from 24 teams in 2020 to 97 teams in 2015. However, in recent years, the tournament has typically featured a 64-team field.
In 2019, the 64 teams were divided into eight regions, with each regional winner advancing to the championship venue. The tournament uses a modified version of NCAA men's basketball rules, with a few exceptions. 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, and there is no overtime due to the adoption of the Elam Ending for all games.
Many teams in TBT feature professional players reuniting under their former college or university names. Teams have represented various states and universities, including Arkansas, California, Dayton, Georgetown, Iowa, Kansas, Louisville, Marquette, Miami, New Mexico, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Ohio, Purdue, Syracuse, Texas, UCLA, West Virginia, and many others. Five alumni teams have won TBT: Buffalo, Marquette, Notre Dame, Ohio State, and Syracuse.
TBT has attracted current and former NBA and WNBA players, such as Hakim Warrick, Jason Williams, Nikki Teasley, Greg Oden, and Megan Gustafson. The tournament has also received support from active NBA players like Kyle Lowry and Obi Toppin. In recent years, TBT has expanded beyond basketball, venturing into soccer with the potential for further expansion into other sports.
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TBT's participants and teams
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 teams in 2020 to a high of 97 teams in 2015. In recent years, the tournament has typically featured a 64-team field.
Many TBT teams are composed of professional players reuniting under the banner of their former college or university. These teams represent a diverse range of educational institutions, including:
- Arkansas
- Bellarmine
- Bradley
- Buffalo
- Cincinnati
- Dayton
- Georgetown
- Gonzaga
- Iowa State
- Kansas State
- Louisville
- Marquette
- Miami
- Marshall
- Milwaukee
- New Mexico
- North Texas
- Notre Dame
- Ohio State
- Purdue
- Seton Hall
- Syracuse
- Texas Tech
- UCLA
- VCU
- West Virginia
- Wichita State
- Xavier
Five alumni teams have won the TBT championship as of 2024: Buffalo, Marquette, Notre Dame, Ohio State, and Syracuse.
In addition to the alumni teams, TBT has also featured current and former NBA and WNBA players. Notable participants include:
- Hakim Warrick
- Jason Williams
- Dahntay Jones
- Mike Bibby
- Royal Ivey
- Matt Bonner
- Jimmer Fredette
- Brian Scalabrine
- Nikki Teasley
- Greg Oden
TBT utilises a modified version of NCAA men's basketball rules, with some exceptions. For instance, games are played in 9-minute quarters instead of 20-minute halves, and players foul out after their 6th personal foul rather than the 5th. The tournament also adopts the Elam Ending rule, eliminating the possibility of overtime.
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TBT's venues and locations
The Basketball Tournament (TBT) is an annual, open-invitation, single-elimination tournament played in the summer across various venues in the United States. The tournament features a range of teams, from as few as 24 to as many as 97, with a cash prize for the winners.
In 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the tournament was reduced to 24 teams, and all games were played at a single venue. However, in 2021, the tournament returned to a multi-venue format, with 64 teams organised into four regions. Each region's top two teams advanced to the championship venue.
The 2022 TBT returned to the eight-region format, with eight regional winners advancing to "Championship Week". The quarterfinals were held at two sites, followed by the semifinals and the final at the championship venue.
Specific TBT venues and locations vary from year to year. In 2024, the tournament kicked off in Wichita, Kansas, with the semifinals and championship games held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Wichita Regional, featuring the Wichita State alumni team, the AfterShocks, has been TBT's longest-running venue. Other host cities for the 2025 event include Kansas City, featuring Kansas University's alumni team, JHX Hoops, and Purple Reign, the Kansas State University alumni team; and Syracuse, featuring the Syracuse University alumni team, Boeheim's Army.
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TBT's impact and influence
The Basketball Tournament (TBT) has had a significant impact on the summer sports calendar in the United States and has also influenced the format and participation of other sports tournaments. Since its launch in 2014, TBT has become a highly anticipated annual event, with teams and fans alike eagerly awaiting the exciting competition it brings each summer.
One of the most notable impacts of TBT is its influence on the participation of professional and former college athletes. The tournament provides an opportunity for these players to stay active and compete during their off-seasons, offering a substantial cash prize as an enticing incentive. The tournament has attracted current and former NBA and WNBA players, such as Hakim Warrick, Jason Williams, and Nikki Teasley, adding to its prestige and appeal.
TBT's format has also left its mark on the sports world. The tournament adopts a modified version of NCAA men's basketball rules, with unique exceptions like 9-minute quarters and altered foul regulations. Notably, TBT introduced the Elam Ending, an innovative end-of-game concept that eliminates the need for overtime and has since been adopted by the NBA All-Star Game. This format change not only enhances the viewing experience but also reduces the physical demands on the players, demonstrating a forward-thinking approach to player welfare.
The tournament's structure and rules have influenced other sports, with TBT expanding into soccer and potentially eyeing further expansion. The success of TBT has shown that an open-invitation, single-elimination format with a substantial prize pool can attract participants and generate significant revenue. This model has the potential to be replicated in other sports, creating new opportunities for athletes and exciting viewing experiences for fans.
TBT has also fostered a sense of community and alumni pride. Many teams in the tournament are alumni-based, representing renowned college basketball programs. This format encourages former college teammates to reunite and compete under their alma mater's name, rekindling old rivalries and creating unique storylines that captivate fans and spectators alike. The tournament's impact extends beyond the court, strengthening the bond between athletes and their academic institutions and creating a lasting legacy for college basketball programs.
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Frequently asked questions
The Basketball Tournament (TBT) 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 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.
TBT uses a modified version of NCAA men's basketball rules. Games are played in 9-minute quarters, and players foul out on their 6th personal foul. TBT also uses the Elam Ending, where teams play to a "target score" instead of playing overtime.
TBT features professional players reunited under their former college or university teams. Many current and former NBA and WNBA players have participated, including Jason Williams, Carmelo Anthony, and Nikki Teasley.
