Representing the 305 this summer is Athletics Miami, returning to TBT after its debut last year.
Athletics Miami may have lost in the first round last year, but they’re back and ready to make a run to the million in this year’s edition of TBT.
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Current Roster:
- Anthony Cambo (International)
- Avelon John Jr. (UC Davis)
- Darion Spottsville (Eastern Michigan)
- Ibrahim Doumbia (Cal State Fullerton and South Carolina)
- Majur Majak (New Haven)
- Ricardo Sanchez (International)
- Royce Hamm Jr. (Texas and UNLV)
- Samir Stewart (Manhattan)
- Serge Du Lau D’Allemans (FIU)
- Tumba Kevin (International)
Coaching Staff:
- Ernie Cambo (GM)
- Alex Zampier (Head Coach)
- Terrell Green (Asst. Coach)
Region:
- Dayton, Ohio
Team MVP: Samir Stewart
Stewart, a former Manhattan Jasper, led the MAAC in 3PT% among qualified shooters last season. Athletics Miami will need that to translate to TBT if they want to beat Friday Beers, their first-round opponent. A solid perimeter defender as well, the 6’2” point guard placed top 20 in the MAAC in steal percentage in 4 of 5 seasons at Manhattan.
In addition to shooting, Stewart is a solid passer of the rock who doesn’t turn it over often, ranking 10th in the MAAC in 2020-2021 in turnover percentage at just 11.8%. Stewart is a true key to this team, and if they manage to advance to the second round, it’ll be because of his efforts.
Make-or-break Player: Royce Hamm Jr.
The former Longhorn and Rebel didn’t have much of an impact at Texas, but he transferred to UNLV for his last season of collegiate ball in 2021-22 and prospered, starting every game and averaging 8.6 PPG and 9.3 RPG. An excellent rebounder, Hamm had the highest rebounding percentage in the Mountain West in 2021-2022, while also finishing 14th in the NCAA in that stat category.
Hamm uses his 6’9” frame well but occasionally gets into foul trouble, picking up 4 or more fouls in 14 of 32 games, including 3 games where he fouled out. However, he had some very nice stat lines mixed into those games, including an 18-point, 17-rebound, 4-block performance against Gardner-Webb. If that version of Hamm shows up against Friday Beers, Athletics Miami may have a chance.
Team Outlook
Status Report Thread for Dayton Regional
— TBT (@thetournament) July 25, 2023
Status report for Friday Beers vs. Athletics Miami – 7/26 12 PM CT (ESPN+)
Friday Beers
OUT: Ian Miller
All other players active.
Athletics Miami
Active: All Players Active
Athletics Miami is a true motley crew, with 3 players on the team most recently playing for Liège Basket, a Belgian club purchased in 2022 by Athletics Miami GM Ernie Cambo. In addition, both Darion Spottsville and Ricardo Sanchez both have most recently played for Grises de Humacao in Puerto Rico, who Anthony Campo has previously played for. The younger Campo now plays for Liège, as does Avelon John Jr. and center Tumba Kevin.
There isn’t much depth on the team, and it seems as if every player has some sort of connection to Ernie Campo’s corporation, Mickeal Sports Group. Ibrahim Doumbia, Serge du lau D’Allemans, and Majur Majak have not appeared to have played professionally after the conclusion of their collegiate careers, although Majak is an interesting project at 7’1”. He could be critical in the interior along with Royce Hamm Jr. Ultimately, Friday Beers has too much talent for Athletics Miami, although the team is an interesting combination of international players.
Image via The Basketball Tournament