The Basketball Tournament (TBT) is an annual 64-team, open-application, single-elimination basketball tournament that takes place across the U.S. each summer since 2014. The event has paid out over $13 million in prize money to 10 champions over the years. Previous champions have included college alumni teams from schools like Notre Dame, Syracuse, Marquette, Ohio State, and the University of Buffalo. The tournament is known for featuring highly competitive games, in part due to the $1 million prize that goes to the winning team. Overseas Elite, a team that featured CJ McCollum’s brother Errick, was a four-time defending champion from 2015-18.
One of the unique features of TBT is the Elam Ending, a rule change proposal developed by Nick Elam that eliminates the game clock in the fourth quarter. Instead, a Target Score is set by adding 8 points to the leading team’s score, and the first team to reach that score wins the game. This format increases the intensity and excitement of the game’s conclusion by allowing teams to focus on getting stops and playing pure basketball possessions until the end. The Elam Ending was implemented for all games in TBT in 2018, with positive feedback from players and fans.
TBT has seen the participation of many notable players over the years, including Jimmer Fredette, Jared Sullinger, Greg Oden, Joe Johnson, and Thomas Robinson. In 2023, the event had a record number of 75 players with NBA experience on its rosters. Some of the big names committed to playing in TBT 2024 include former NBA players Eric Bledsoe and Willie Cauley-Stein of La Familia, the University of Kentucky alumni team, as well as Russ Smith and Montrezl Harrell of The Ville, the University of Louisville alumni team.
TBT’s setup for 2024 includes an eight-regional, 64-team single-elimination tournament. Each regional event is hosted by an alumni team representing a college basketball program, with locations and host teams announced for this year. The regionals will run from July 19-24, with one team from each region advancing to the quarterfinals on July 29-30. The semifinals will be played on August 2, leading up to the $1 million winner-take-all championship game on August 4. FOX Sports, FS1, and FS2 will be broadcasting TBT games as part of a multi-year agreement announced recently.
TBT continues to attract basketball fans with its competitive play, unique Elam Ending format, and the high-caliber of players participating in the tournament each year. The event has become a summer tradition for basketball enthusiasts, providing an exciting and entertaining showcase of talent from college alumni teams and former NBA players. With the upcoming 2024 edition of TBT set to feature top players and teams competing for the $1 million prize, fans can look forward to another thrilling basketball tournament airing on FOX, FS1, and FS2.
