TBT Roundup
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The Summer's Top Sleepers
In recent summers, the basketball tournament creatively named The Basketball Tournament has evolved from a glorified Pro-Am into a serious competition that more and more overseas teams follow for recruiting purposes. The college alumni extravaganza can help decision makers gauge the fitness level of grizzled veterans or unearth hidden gems who are still awaiting their big break in the pros.
So who is the 2022 Desonta Bradford, the former East Tennessee State guard who parlayed a tremendous showing at the 2021 TBT into a career-changing move to Italian Serie A and Eurocup outfit Aquila Basket Trento? Bradford actually produced again this year, averaging 17 ppg through three games with the Bucketneers, but he does not fall into the sleeper category any more.
Let's duly start with the Million Dollar Makers of Blue Collar U, the Buffalo Bulls alumni team that won the whole thing with a combination of star-powered offense and stingy D. While the squad was led by established pros like tournament MVP CJ Massinburg, Wes Clark or Nick Perkins, a few less familiar names are certainly worth mentioning. There is 6'6'' wing forward Blake Hamilton, who has bounced around South America in recent years but whose physique and tremendous versatility on both ends of the floor should warrant another look from higher-level European organizations. Or combo guard Lamonte Bearden, who has not lasted long at any of his pro stops so far but brings a rare scoring talent, maybe for a "microwave" role off the bench. Last but certainly not least defensive stopper Dontay Caruthers whose numbers on offense are far from eye-popping but who makes up for it by being able to literally shut down opposition scorers.
Blue Collar U's final matchup, Americana for Autism, featured mostly veteran talent like Delroy James or Isaiah Swann. However, Nigel Johnson (pictured above), a quick scoring PG with surprising hops and the ability to create for himself or others who averaged 21 ppg and 5 apg in top league Hungary last season, certainly improved his stock shooting 63% from 2 and 47% from 3 over six games.
For Dayton's alumni team Red Scare, it was versatile guard Darrell Davis who stole the show from bigger names like ACB star Joe Thomasson or French ProA and Italian SerieA standout Vincent "Vee" Sanford. Davis, whose pro career has mainly taken place in smaller leagues like Superliga Kosovo so far, averaged 13.3 ppg, 4.8 rpg and 2.0 apg through 5 games and showed the ability to contribute both on and off the ball while also holding his own defensively.
If a pure scorer is what you are longing for at the guard positions, look no further than Sedrick Barefield. The Utah alum averaged 16.3 ppg for L.A. Cheaters and showed a clutch gene in the process. He was one of the leading bucket getters in LKL Lithuania in 20/21, as well, but has since struggled to take the next step as a professional.
Best Virginia's 2022 breakout performer was former WVU forward Jermaine Haley. At 6'7'', he can handle the ball, pass, finish with either hand and shoot the ball reasonably well. The versatile athlete who excelled with the NBL Canada's London Lightning in 2022 could definitely help a number of mid-level teams across the waters.
Bleed Green, the North Texas alumni squad, also featured a red-hot standout in Jordan Stevens. After destroying CIBACOPA Mexico earlier this summer, the scoring PG had himself a nice TBT, as well, averaging close to 19 points while shooting above 50% from both two- and three-point range.
Other TBT "sleeper standouts" with fewer games to showcase their stuff include:
Shawn'Dre Jones, PG
Air Raiders - 24 ppg and 5 apg in 2 games
Jacob Young, SG
Always Us - 19 ppg in 2 games
Deshawn Munson, SF
Chicago Hoopville - 18 pts, 16 rbs, 8 ass in 1 game
Evan Gilyard, PG
Panamaniacs - 25 pts, 2 ass in 1 game
Zac Seljaas, PF/SF
Defeat Diabetes - 21 pts, 5 rbs in 1 game
Davion Warren, SF/SG
Air Raiders - 23 pts, 6 rbs, 2 ass in 1 game
Norense Odiase, C/PF
Air Raiders - 32 pts in 1 game
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