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The fourth annual “The Basketball Tournament”—a $2 million, winner-take-all event—is set to take off in late July and August, 2017. Among this year’s participants are a number of current and former Portland Trail Blazers players.
The biggest names in the bunch are former #1 overall pick Greg Oden and point guard Damian Lillard. Oden is scheduled to suit up for Team Scarlet and Gray, comprised of Ohio State alumni, though TBT’s press release states he is “50/50, working to get into shape now”. According to an article by Jeff Goodman of ESPN.com, Lillard will coach a team of former Weber State players.
The press release also lists Blazers guard CJ McCollum as a “booster” for his brother Erick’s Overseas Elite squad, undefeated in tournament play and two-time reigning champions. Former Blazers guard Wesley Matthews is slated to coach the Golden Eagles, a group of Marquette alums.
The Basketball Tournament includes play-in sessions for eight teams on June 17th and 18th, followed by cross-country regionals in late July culminating in the semi-finals and championship game from August 1st-3rd. Games will be televised via various arms of the ESPN network.