Virginia Dream received last-minute notice that they will be participating in TBT for the second consecutive season.
Although Reginald Jeffries’ group fell victim to a blowout loss in their lone TBT game last season, they are confident that some key roster additions will allow them to take advantage of this opportunity. Virginia Dream is an organization, founded in 2022, that’s mission is to “develop leaders, restore hope, and empower youth” through basketball.
They weren’t supposed to be here after not hearing their name called during the selection show. However, due to a last-second withdrawal by “Rhody Way”, Virginia Dream are here and ready to win.
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Current Roster:
- Armani Chaney (Tennessee State)
- Devin Cooper (Radford & Catawba)
- Duane Johnson (East Stroudsburg)
- Francis “BJ” Fitzgerald (Virginia State)
- Jalen Gaddy (St. Augustine)
- Jalen Robinson (Dayton & Dalton State)
- Jebraile Newkirk (Contra Costa College)
- Joseph Allen (Elizabeth City State)
- Lual Rahama (Virginia State & Concord University)
- Marcus Patterson (Russell Sage College)
- Robert Colon (Winston Salem State)
- Torin Washington (William Woods & New Mexico Highlands)
Coaching Staff:
- Reginald Jeffries (GM & Head Coach)
- Jordan Joyce (GM)
- Nick Perioli (Asst. Coach)
- Drew Cone (Asst. Coach)
Region:
- Syracuse, New York
Team MVP: Duane Johnson
Johnson was a superstar at the Division III level for East Stroudsburg from 2009-13, where he helped lead the Warriors to unprecedented measures, including an 82-37 record during his time there. Upon graduating, he quickly went on to become the scoring champion in the Irish League. Since then, he has had six years of TBT experience for Sideline Cancer. Currently, Johnson plays for Maccabi Ma’ale Adumim in the Israeli National League.
At 6’7, Johnson is foremost an athlete who can jump out of the gym but also knock down the three-point shot with consistency. He has all sorts of lay-up packages and a history of scoring in high measures. Experience matters in professional basketball, and the 32-year-old certainly fits that mold as well.
Make-or-break Player: Jalen Robinson
Robinson does not have eye-popping collegiate numbers but he has played at the highest level on the team, containing starting experience at Dayton, and playing a significant role on TBT rosters previously. He has also played professionally in six different countries, experiencing all sorts of different brands of basketball.
Robinson is another versatile player at 6’9 who has a smooth jump shot and a strong low-post presence. As the tallest player on a rather undersized roster, Robinson’s role will be important and perhaps different than he is accustomed to. If he is able to have his way as a true center, Virginia Dream can surprise.
Team Outlook
Due to unforeseen circumstances, The Rhody Way has withdrawn from TBT 2023. They will be replaced by Virginia Dream, who will assume the 4-seed in Syracuse & play The Commonwealth on July 24. pic.twitter.com/p0YVPTFNNx
— TBT (@thetournament) July 21, 2023
Virginia Dream was slotted into a four-seed spot in the Syracuse Regional and will play The Commonwealth in the first round, for a chance to potentially take on the top-seeded Blue Collar U of Buffalo alumni. They opened as 7.5 point underdogs with a point total of 145.5.
That spread seems rather light given the discrepancy of player pedigrees between the two sides. Either way, experience with TBT officiating as well as professional basketball, in general, is the biggest advantage for this group. If last season is any indication of how Jeffries hopes to run their team, expect Virginia Dream to dig deep into their bench and utilize their entire roster.
Featured image courtesy: The Basketball Tournament