Team Run DFW returns for year two in TBT.
Team Run DFW suffered a 77-75 loss to Team Fredette in their debut last year. The turnover battle was the big difference in this one, and came back to haunt them. There are a few changes to this team, as it has lost a couple of key players, including RJ Nembhard, who led the team in scoring.
Run DFW also lost Jeffrey Carroll and Jase Townsend, who both put up 13 points in their lone TBT matchup last year. With almost half of the team having played in the NBA G League at some point, the talent is evident. All of the players are currently playing professionally.
Run DFW remains under the management of Jake Ross and Braden Griffiths. It also returns its second-highest scorer in TJ Holyfield. The team also returns Olin Carter and Josh Nzeakor. Three players bring youth and some explosive play in Drew Cisse (first pro year), Mike Miles (third year pro), and Khalid Thomas (fourth year pro).
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Roster:
- Admon Gilder (Gonzaga & Texas A&M)
- Chauncey Collins (TCU)
- Drew Cisse (Western Illinois)
- Javier Carter (South Alabama)
- Jordan Williams (North Texas)
- Josh Nzeakor (Lamar)
- Khalid Thomas (Arizona State & Portland State)
- Mike Miles Jr. (TCU)
- Olin Carter III (San Diego)
- TJ Holyfield (Texas Tech & Stephen F. Austin)
- Tony Bishop Jr (Texas State)
Coaching Staff:
- Braden Griffiths (General Manager)
- Dominique Johnson (Assistant Coach)
- Jake Ross (General Manager)
- Jeremie Hart (Head Coach)
- Thibaut Tagnon (Assistant Coach)
Region: Wichita
All-time Record: 0-1
First Matchup: vs. Fire Family (July 18 at 4 p.m. EST)
Team Run DFW MVP: TJ Holyfield
Holyfield has the experience of playing in last year’s matchup. This is valuable experience, as he put up 16 points, battled for rebounds, had three assists, one steal, and two blocks. TJ Holyfield played a majority of minutes and can grow if he can reduce his turnovers. He had five turnovers, but played a clean game. He is going to be a tough matchup due to his size and length. Holyfield can score from anywhere and showed up in a significant way for Run DFW. He does so much right, and with the loss of Nembhard, his role should expand.
Make-or-break Player: Khalid Thomas
Khalid Thomas is a younger player, but has a similar playing style to that of Holyfield. Thomas has more length and is younger. Playing in Turkey this past year, he has expanded his game and continued to work on his 3-point shooting. In the past two years, Thomas has averaged over seven rebounds per game and more than 16 points per game. With his size, he could be a matchup nightmare for guards and wings. Thomas could play the five, and if he is pulling out the center, there will be numerous issues for other teams defensively. He plays more like a wing or guard, finding lanes, creating shots, and has nice floor vision.
Team Outlook
Team Run DFW has the opportunity to grab its first win in The Basketball Tournament. However, one issue is that this team will face off against a group of players who have already spent time playing together in the Fire Family. The Fire Family is based on the Potawatomi Fire team from The Basketball League (TBL), which won a championship in 2023—seeing how these teams matchup, no one should be surprised if the experience of playing in TBT gives Run DFW the edge.