The Basketball Tournament (TBT) is a unique event in the world of basketball. It's an open-application, single-elimination tournament played in the United States each summer.
The tournament was founded in 2014 by Jonathan Mugar, and the winning team takes home a grand prize of $1 million.
How Teams are Selected
Teams can apply to participate in TBT during a screening process that runs from March 15 to June 15. The organizers then select the participating teams from this pool of applicants. The number of teams has varied over the years, with as many as 97 in 2015 and as few as 24 in 2020.NBA Player Participation
Both current and former National Basketball Association players are allowed to play in TBT.In 2019, 59 players with NBA experience took part in the tournament. Active NBA players who are still under contract can participate, but they are placed on a de facto team separate from their NBA squad.
TBT to NBA Pipeline
TBT has served as a springboard for players looking to make it to the NBA. In total, 34 players from TBT have gone on to sign with NBA teams, including notable names like Malcolm Miller and Mike James.Tournament Rules
TBT games feature four 9-minute quarters and are played under standard 5-on-5 rules. Each team gets four timeouts per game, and players are allowed up to six fouls before being disqualified.If a team loses, its players cannot join another team that is still in the tournament.
Women in TBT
While TBT is open to women participants, their involvement has primarily been as general managers or coaches. GMs are responsible for negotiating prize money splits with players and have the final say in resolving any team issues.To date, 15 women have signed up to play for TBT teams.
2020 TBT Champions
The 2020 TBT was held from July 4-14 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, with 24 teams participating.In the championship game, the Golden Eagles, a team of Marquette University alumni, defeated Sideline Cancer by a score of 78-73 to claim the $1 million prize.
Former Marquette standout Darius Johnson-Odom was named tournament MVP.
The Elam Ending
One unique feature of TBT is the Elam Ending, a special format for the end of games.Under the Elam Ending, the game clock is turned off at the first dead ball under 4 minutes in the 4th quarter. A target score is then set by adding 8 points to the leading team's score. The first team to reach this target wins the game.
This format was designed to create more exciting, meaningful possessions at the end of games and has since been adopted by the NBA All-Star Game.
TBT has grown into a major summer basketball event, offering high-stakes competition for players of all levels. With its open application process, significant cash prize, and innovative rules, it has carved out a unique place in the basketball landscape. As it continues to evolve, TBT figures to remain a key part of the summer hoops scene for years to come.