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Follow on Google News | Ex NBA Stars Tinsley, Bibby Join The Basketball Tournament, $1 Million Winner-Take-All EventVeteran guards join Three-time NBA Slam Dunk Champion Nate Robinson, NBA Champions Jason Williams and Brian Scalabrine, First Round Picks Hakim Warrick and Michael Sweetney
By: Joe Favorito “As the July 1 roster deadline approaches, GMs are rounding out their teams with key roster additions,” said TBT Founder/CEO Jon Mugar. “Depending where they’ll be slotted into the bracket, teams will find themselves between 5 and 8 wins from $1 million, so there is great incentive to add a ringer at this stage.” Bibby, a 12 year NBA veteran who played for the Kings, Grizzlies, Hawks, Heat and Knicks, will join “Grantland,” Overall the field will include no fewer than 125 players who have played in either the NBA or the NBA D-League, with over 40 having substantial NBA experience and over 500 with professional experience. Opening rounds begin July 10-12 in Atlanta and Los Angeles, and continue July 17-19 in Chicago and Philadelphia with the final 17 playing in Chicago again on July 23-25 before advancing on to New York to play for the Championship live on ESPN August 1 and 2. Many of the teams will be playing for a specific charity as well, with a portion of the winnings going to the cause of that team. The region-by-region breakdown is as follows: SOUTH (Atlanta, Clayton State’s Athletics & Fitness Center, July 10-12): The region will have 24 teams, including former NBA player Damien Wilkins, and a team of University of Mississippi alumni on “TMD” led by Marshall Henderson, while the ESPY award winning teams from Mercer and FGCU that beat Duke and Georgetown respectively in the NCAA Tournament combined to form a team called "Bracket Busters" with the key players from each squad. A team of University of Oklahoma alumni organized by James Fraschilla with Willie Warren, Tony Crocker, and Ryan Wright will also be on hand, along with a University of Virginia alumni team with Darion Atkins, Akil Mitchell, and Mamadi Diane. WEST (Los Angeles, Cal State LA, July 10-12): The LA region will have 24 teams including “Grantland,” MIDWEST (Chicago, DePaul University’s McGrath-Phillips Arena, Midwest Regional July 17-19 and Super 17 July 23-25): Among the 24 teams, no fewer than six former Wisconsin Badgers including Mike Bruesewitz, Jordan Taylor, and Kammron Taylor team up with former Sacramento Kings swingman Royce White to form the "Bad Boys," with recently drafted Charlotte Hornet and National POY Frank Kaminsky providing non-playing support. Former Indiana Hoosiers Christian Watford, Jordan Hulls, and Will Sheehey have teamed up on “Armored Athlete” alongside former Cleveland Cavalier big man, Alex Kirk. Under the late Rick Majerus, the Saint Louis Billikens reached unprecedented heights and six players recruited by Majerus have come together in TBT to honor their coach and celebrate their collegiate accomplishments. At the heart of that success was Dwayne Evans, Jordair Jett, and Mike McCall Jr., a group that contributed to 92 wins and three NCAA Tournaments. All three will return to the floor for the “Majerus SLU Crew.” The defending champion Notre Dame Fighting Alumni, led by former All BIG EAST players Tim Abromaitis, Luke Harangody, Ben Hansbrough, and Torin Francis, among others, have a bye and will participate automatically in the July 23-25 Super 17 as well. NORTHEAST (Philadelphia: 317 teams applied to make the 97-team field, with each team consisting of a General Manager (GM), at least seven players, and 100+ fan votes. All players must be 18 or older and all games will be played under college rules with two 18-minute halves. ABOUT THE BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT Conceived by CEO Jonathan Mugar as the ultimate opportunity for fans, athletes and social media mavens to create teams and then participate in a high-stakes, professionally run and organized sporting event, The Basketball Tournament is a winner-take- Media Contacts: Fran Kirmser fran@kirmserponturo.com Joe Favorito, Kirmser Ponturo Group fatherknickerbocker1@ Bill Hofheimer/ESPN bill.hofheimer@ End
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