The southernmost state in the upper 48 has a penchant for producing basketball talent, and Florida TNT is no exception to that.
Florida TNT returns to TBT with nine all-time wins under their belt. Overseas professionals, both on the younger and older side, make up a high-quality roster. In a stacked Wichita region, competition is tough, not just for Florida TNT, but for anyone who has to play this team.
With three Christophers on the roster, chemistry is sure to be high. Last year, the team was known as Challenge ALS: Florida, after a merger, but Florida TNT returns as this team’s moniker and a known challenger for the $1 million prize.
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Current Roster:
- Antonio Blakeney (LSU)
- Brandon Robinson (Clayton College)
- Christopher Galbreath Jr. (Sam Houston State)
- Christopher Walker (Florida)
- Christopher Warren (Mississippi)
- Ikeon Smith (Georgia Southern)
- Jason Burnell (Jacksonville State)
- Keith Clanton (UCF)
- Kenny Boynton Jr. (Florida)
- Michael Forrest (FAU)
- Niven Glover (Fresno State)
- Quincy Ford (Northeastern)
- Samuel Daniel (Florida Institute of Technology)
- Shaheed Davis (UCF)
Coaching Staff:
- Terry Hughes (GM)
- Iren Rainey (Head Coach)
- Juan Bernal (Assistant Coach)
- Travis Mosley (Assistant Coach)
Region: Wichita
All-time Record: 9-4
First Matchup: vs. LA Cheaters (July 20 at 6 p.m.)
Team MVP: Antonio Blakeney
Blakeney has always been a scorer, so it wasn’t a surprise to see him score 18 points against Sideline Cancer in last year’s TBT. Blakeney, who played with Ben Simmons at LSU, has carved out a nice overseas career in China recently. Still only 27 years old, Blakeney can score from outside, or, at 6’4”, get inside the arc and hit shots as well. Looking ahead to a possible second round matchup against Mass Street, (Kansas alumni team) Blakeney will need to be playing at his best.
Make-or-break Player: Keith Clanton
It’s a feat to lead a team in both rebounds and assists, but that’s what Keith Clanton did last year in two games for Florida TNT. The former UCF Knight has played major roles in Florida TNT’s earlier successes in TBT, and figures to be a big part of this year’s squad as well. Clanton plays much bigger than his 6’9” frame, and he’s a solid rim protector and playmaker all packaged in one. If Florida TNT makes another run, it very well may be because of Clanton.
Team Outlook
Florida TNT enters with high expectations, having experienced prior success in previous iterations of the tournament. (Look out for Kenny Boynton Jr. and Christopher Warren.) As a three seed, they’ll be favorites in their first-round matchup against LA Cheaters, but they (most likely) draw Mass Street in the second round, the talented Kansas alumni team. If they can get past Mass Street, there’s a very good chance Florida TNT can make an extended run. It’s all about the “if”, though.