Team AboutBillions takes a year off but returns in search of win number 1.
Team AboutBillions played in the Xavier Region in 2022, their debur. Unfortunately, it took on a veteran team in Florida TNT and suffered a difficult loss. Difficult is putting it lightly, Florida TNT had one of their best performances, putting up 114 points, while Team AboutBillions struggled to put up 57. Four players return from the 2022 team: Brandon Watkins, Marlon Taylor, Tyonte Robertson, and Andre Yates, who is listed as a coach.
None of this team played in The Basketball Tournament last year. However, this team has some very talented players and active professional players. Former G-League players and current Basketball League players are on the roster. Seeing how this team gels, it will need leadership and find its identity early. Team AboutBillions is set to be loaded with offensive players.
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Current Roster:
- Brandon Watkins (West Virginia)
- Brendan Medley-Bacon (North Carolina Central)
- Corey Manigault (New Mexico, Indian Hills CC, & Pittsburgh)
- Josh Selby (Kansas & Baltimore)
- Marlon Taylor (LSU)
- Nick Faust (Maryland & Long Beach State)
- Randy Haynes (Old Dominion)
- Raynere Thornton (Memphis & Gordon State)
- Tavares Sledge (Wright State & USC Aiken)
- Trevor Moore (Cincinnati & Morgan State)
- Tyonte Robertson (Panola College)
- William Brown (Spartanburg Methodist & Fayetteville State)
Coaching Staff:
- Adam Goetz (GM)
- Andre Yates (Head Coach)
- Kelvin Dixon (Assistant Coach)
- Kyle Logan (General Manager)
- Mike Pilgrim (Head Coach)
- Thomas Dillon (Assistant Coach)
- Tre Teague (Assistant Coach)
- Tyler Bezold (GM)
Region: Cincinnati
All-time Record: 0-1
First Matchup: vs. Nasty Nati (July 19 at 8 p.m. on TBT Live)
Team MVP: Randy Haynes
Randy Haynes will likely be the offensive leader for this team. He will be the one moving the offensive forward and have a hand in the scoring somehow. Haynes plays for his team. He can score from anywhere, sees the floor, and is a difficult defensive matchup as a 6-foot-4 guard. If this team falls behind, Haynes will be the guy with the ball in his hands, creating offense. He isn’t selfish and will find the best shot for his team.
Haynes played for Boulogne in the French League this past season. He averaged 14.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. In his last five games, he shot the ball extremely well from 3-point range, an incredible 47% in those final five games. It will be a joy to see how this translates to TBT.
Make-or-break Player: Tavares Sledge
There are a lot of players from, The Basketball League seeing how they translate to TBT will be very interesting. Tavares Sledge is one of those players. He is a wing player who averaged 19.2 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game in TBL. Playing for the Frederick Flying Cows (great team name), he shot 37.4% from 3-point range and 48.6% from the field. If he can put up these numbers in TBT, he could quickly become the MVP for Team AboutBillions.
Looking at his stats, what stands out is that he averages a double-double. He creates high-rate second-chance opportunities, which could boost his offense. His 6-foot-8 frame will allow him to play defense against forwards and centers.
Team Outlook
It is an unfortunate draw for Team AboutBillions. Playing in Cincinnati, the team tips off against Nasty Nati, the Cincinnati alum team. Jarron Cumberland has an already infamous game from last year in TBT. His partner in crime, Jacob Evans, is quite the one-two punch. With the hometown crowd, Team AboutBillions will have to show up offensively. They have all the right pieces, but seeing how they work together. After struggling offensively in its first outing, Team AboutBillions added weapons.
There is a lot of work to be done, but Team AboutBillions’s size and style of play will be crucial. A tough battle is coming, and they must be ready for it to create an upset.