It’s almost that time of year again. The Basketball Tournament, a $2 million summer contest pitting some great basketball teams full of memorable names against each other, is inching closer to a return. No gimmicks, no tricks, just basketball. Last year, Overseas Elite took home the crown after a hotly contested final four ended with the international hoops stars going up against an alumni squad in Team Colorado. This year, another alumni team might already be a favorite to win before the final field is set.
Team Scarlet and Gray has a team comprised of Ohio State alumni. They entered their team for consideration in ‘The Basketball Tournament’ and they’re coming in a big way. Right off the bat, the team announced they have enlisted the help of former Buckeyes star, high school standout center and former number one overall pick in the NBA draft, Greg Oden.
.@OhioStateHoops standout to #1 overall NBA Draft Pick to #TBT2017 with @ScarletGrayTBT.
Welcome to #TBT Greg Oden!https://t.co/Vj7oZ4TiV5 pic.twitter.com/ybnjcjniP8
— TBT (@thetournament) May 3, 2017
Also expected to join Oden on the Scarlet and Gray squad is former Buckeyes defensive standout point guard Aaron Craft, Dallas Lauderdale, Evan Ravenel. Jon Diebler, David Lighty, William Buford, Deshaun Thomas and Lenzelle Smith Jr. are expected to join, according to Cleveland.com. NBA players are permitted to play, according to TBT rules but the NBA’s are a tad different. But an Ohio State team with Greg Oden, Mike Conley, Jared Sullinger and Evan Turner could be fun to watch.
Here is how TBT works. 64 teams will compete in one-and-done regional tournaments for a shot to play in the Super 16 in New York July 20-23, and then in the championship round (semifinals and final) in Baltimore Aug. 1-3. The Ohio State team, if they get nominated by the fans or the TBT committee, will be in the Midwest regional, played at Bradley University in Peoria, Ill., July 15-16.
Nine teams in each region will be selected by fan vote, while six others will be selected as “at-large” teams by the TBT’s selection committee. At-large teams must have 100 fans and seven players on the roster. The final team in each region will play its way in through the Play-In Jamboree in Philadelphia June 17-18. The buy-in for the jamboree is $5,000 and is limited to 16 teams. Four teams that win will get their money back and a bid into the field of 64.
Greg Oden is still only 29 years old and he already announced his professional playing career was over. His NBA tenure was hampered by injuries and a short run in China didn’t prove to be beneficial for him. The former National High School player of the year opened up about his struggles and what it’s been like to be him over the last few years. Oden even labeled himself as the biggest bust in NBA history. He last played for the Miami Heat in 2014 as a member of their NBA Finals team.
Be sure to look out for Oden later on this summer. Every game of The Basketball Tournament will either be streamed on WatchESPN, or televised on ESPN and ESPN2.
