Last weekend, The Basketball Tournament (TBT) and the City of Atlanta formed a strategic partnership. The event was made possible by TBT founder Jon Mugar, Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, Atlanta Hawks swingman Kent Bazemore and Deputy Commissioner of Parks & Recreations, Alvin Dodson.
“What is even more important it’s not just about a one time event, it is about paying it forward to communities and to our children,” Bottoms said July 10th. Two weeks later, the City of Atlanta and TBT and conducted “A Day of Giving” on July 25th. It created a chance for the partnerships and communities to collaborate and put their efforts together to give back.
Contributing to “A Day of Giving”, Bazemore hosted the community service day with fellow Atlanta residents.
“Giving back to the Atlanta area is extremely important to me,” Bazemore said. “What better way to enjoy a favorite pastime while investing in young people to reach their full potential”.
Meanwhile, Mugar believes TBT has given many former college standouts and current overseas-based players the opportunity to shine on a worldwide stage.
“We exist to give a platform to overlooked players, given up on and forgotten about,” Mugar said. “we put them on the biggest stage in the world, which is the same stage the NBA has it is an international audience where they can prove their doubters wrong.”
Led by TBT leading scorer and international superstar Jimmer Fredette (32.3 ppg), this team has beaten all but one of its opponents by double-digits heading into Baltimore. Team Fredette beat the 6th seeded Ft. Wayne Champs 104-91 last Friday night and ousted top seeded Ohio State alumni squad, Scarlet & Gray 100-78 this past Sunday. Jimmer is not the only player that can get the job done for Team Fredette. Brandon Davies, Jack Cooley, Jordon Crawford, Ra’Shad James, Jeff Ledbetter, Derek Cooke Jr. and Devin Williams all feature either NBA or G-League experience. Cooke Jr. finished second in the inaugural Puma Hoops TBT Dunk Contest.
Also, the Marquette alumni squad won its first regional championship in three tries. Led by former standouts Travis Diener, Jamil Wilson, and Jerel McNeal, the Golden Eagles defeated the Talladega Knights 73-66 and the Syracuse alumni squad, Boeheim’s Army, 90-86. Marquette alumnus Dwyane Wade, former coach (and current University of Georgia Men’s Basketball Coach) Tom Crean and current coach Steve Wojciechowski have each shown the Golden Eagles support both online and in person.
The winning team of TBT will receive $2 million in Baltimore, MD.
