6. The Basketball Tournament power rankings – Team Challenge ALS
Actual Ranking: #6 – Round of 16 Matchup: Winner of Team Hines/Sideline Cancer on July 7th
Playing in honor of Pete Frates, Team Challenge ALS “is playing to raise awareness and contribute fund to support those affected by ALS,” as said by general manager and TBT star Sean Marshall. Speaking of Sean Marshall, he is another TBT household name that leads Team Challenge ALS to a near championship in 2017, coming up one possession short against Overseas Elite.
Marshall starred at Boston College, and he’s carried over that success into the TBT. This is another dangerous team that has had long and successful overseas careers, especially in the highest Euroleagues. NBA Veteran Darren Collision will coach Team Challenge ALS again this year, a very solid point guard who scored in double figures each of his 10 years in the NBA, starting 518 of those 708 games. Long Beach State alum Casper Ware was the catalyst for the 2017 TBT run and has NBA experience with the Philadelphia 76ers, another established TBT star.
San Diego State has two former players on the roster, Deshawn Stephens and Malcom Thomas. Stephens has valuable TBT experience, most recently scoring the game-winning basket against Team Fredette to send Team Challenge ALS to the “Super 16” last year. Thomas has been in the TBT since 2017 and nearly averaged a double-double in his last year at San Diego State.
Talk about a team with motivation, Team Challenge ALS is an inspiration for what they do on and off the court. This team plays with heart and determination, leading to high team chemistry and a fun brand of basketball to watch. They’ve made it to the TBT championship before, and they’re a contender yet again.