The Basketball Tournament (TBT) is returning to Las Vegas.
The annual $2 million, singleâ€elimination, winner-takeâ€allâ€event tips off on July 23 at eight regional locations, including UNLV’s Cox Pavilion. The Las Vegas Regional will take place from July 24â€26.
“We’re excited to partner with the founders of the Summer League to help us take the TBT Las Vegas Regional to another level and make it a truly must attend event,” TBT founder and CEO Jon Mugar said. “There’s no doubt Cox Pavilion will become the epicenter of west coast hoops July 24â€26 with TBT the star of the show.”
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Eight Regional Champions will move on to Championship Week in Dayton, Ohio Aug. 6â€11.
“We’re excited to bring The Basketball Tournament back to Las Vegas, and with our success around the Summer League, believe this will be another one of the summer’s best events,” said Albert Hall, president of HallPass Media. “The excitement of pro sports in Las Vegas combined with an energetic basketball fanbase and our media coverage will position the Las Vegas regional at the front of the TBT Nationwide.”
The high stakes 5-on-5 tournament, which held a regional in Las Vegas in 2017, consistently attracts top basketball players from around the world. Thirty-five players have signed NBA contracts after participating in TBT. Last summer 59 former NBA players took part in the event.
In addition, 23 teams were comprised of alumni from major D-I programs, with several more scheduled to compete in 2020.
“Pending Nevada Gaming approval, the TBT is an event we would be interested in offering wagering lines,” said Jeff Sherman, VP of Risk Management at the Westgate’s SuperBook.
Last summer Sherman said action on the NBA Summer League championship was one of the more heavily played games of the event, and with TBT starting the weekend after the Summer League title game, interest could carry over.
Some names who have participated or been involved over the years include: Chris Paul, DeMarcus Cousins, Evan Turner, Jared Sullinger, Greg Oden and Darren Collison.
In 2019, Carmen’s Crew (Ohio State Alumni) dethroned fourâ€time champion Overseas Elite and went on to beat the Golden Eagles Alumni (Marquette Alumni) in what turned out to be a thrilling championship game.
In addition to featuring the highest stakes format in the world, TBT has become known as a trendsetter in basketball circles. The NBA adopted an Elam Endingâ€inspired finish to its 2020 Allâ€Star Game on Sunday