Team Challenge ALS has been a long-time participant in The Basketball Tournament. After eight wins over the past three tournaments amidst a merger with Florida TNT, they will return to their roots with a new group of contributors.
Roster:
- Darae Elliott (San Marcos)
- Darren Collison (UCLA)
- Isaac Hamilton (UCLA)
- Jourdan Demuynck (Prairie View A&M)
- Kaodirichi Akobundu-Ehiogu (Memphis)
- Mike Nwabuzor (Central Arizona & UT Rio Grande Valley)
- Perris Blackwell (Washington)
- Sean Marshall (Boston College)
- Tyrese Rice (Boston College)
- Vance Jackson (UConn, New Mexico, Arkansas & East Carolina)
Coaching Staff:
- Sean Marshall (GM)
- Brandon Chambers (Head Coach)
- Johnny Dukes (Assistant Coach)
Region: Houston
All-time Record: 11-5
First Matchup: vs. Program NYC for Autism (July 19 at 2 p.m. on TBT website)
Team MVP: Vance Jackson
After originally planning to suit up for Enchantment in 2023, Jackson was unable to make the trip. Now, he debuts in TBT and looks to lead the Challenge ALS front court. Hoop junkies may remember the college basketball journeyman for who originally committed to UConn as a top 100 player in the 2016 class. Jackson later played at New Mexico, Arkansas, and ECU, putting up double digit scoring averages at each stop. Most recently, he played in the G-League for the Salt Lake City Stars (Utah Jazz affiliate).
At 6’9″, Jackson will be a good spacer for Brandon Chambers’ offense, as someone who can score at all three levels. He is a threat to create off the dribble, with a step-back three and a pull-up jumper in his arsenal. He is not a freak athlete but displays great body control, and a strong upper frame. I have my money on Jackson leading team Challenge ALS in the points department.
Make-or-break Player: Darren Collison
Collison has a storied basketball background, dating back to 2005 where he began his college career for UCLA. For a Bruins program that went to three consecutive Final Fours, Collison showcased his versatility, leading the Pac-12 in steals as a sophomore, free throw percentage as a junior, and assists as a senior. Collison went on to win the Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award as best 6’0″ or under player in Division 1.
Collison had a 13-year NBA career where he played for six different teams. Some of his highlights were finishing fourth in the Rookie of the Year voting in 2010 with the New Orleans Hornets and leading the league in three point percentage for the Pacers in 2018 (46.8%).
Here’s the make-or-break aspect: Collison has not played competitive basketball since the 2022 season for the South Bay Lakers in the G-League. Does he still have it at 36 years old? Time will tell.
Team Outlook
Shooting is the name of the game and the four-seeded Team Challenge ALS has as much of it as any team we will see. In addition to Collison and Jackson, Isaac Hamilton shot 37% from deep as a three-year starter at UCLA, lengthy guard Jourdan Demuynck can certainly let it fly.
Also, keep an eye out for 2021 TBT MVP Tyrese Rice, who averaged over 20 points at Boston College back in the day, before an impressive overseas career, which included MVP awards in the EuroLeauge (consists of top tier men’s teams in Europe), EuroCup (0ne tier below EuroLeauge), and the Israel League. Simply put, Rice is a winner. He also steps back into the competitive basketball scene after a brief break, joining former Eagles teammate Sean Marshall.
Challenge ALS is banking on older, more-seasoned talent but based on basketball pedigree, they have a group of players that are extremely capable of making a run.
[…] Challenge ALS had an early 11-6 run and were excellent on the offensive glass. […]