New UMass Alumni Basketball Team will Compete in Nationally Televised TBT Summer Tournament
$1 million prize at stake for team sponsored by The Massachusetts Collective
AMHERST, MA - (February 23, 2023): The Massachusetts Collective is excited to announce the launch of The Commonwealth, a team of alumni men’s basketball players from the University of Massachusetts that will compete in this year’s The Basketball Tournament (TBT).
TBT is a high stakes, single elimination tournament that airs each summer on ESPN. It brings together 64 teams from around the country, awarding a $1 million winner-takes-all prize. The new UMass alumni team will be sponsored by the Massachusetts Collective, which creates NIL opportunities that support Massachusetts basketball athletes. The Collective will handle all operations for The Commonwealth, including organization, sponsorships and logistics.
“What a thrill to work with Javorn Farrell, a talented Minuteman who played from 2009-2013, and Mike Mannix, a UMass grad and current coach at nearby Wilbraham and Monson Academy,” said Patrick MacWilliams, Director of the Massachusetts Collective. “Once the idea came up, we had a conversation with Javorn and Mike – and we knew The Commonwealth had to become a reality. We had a presenting sponsor, infrastructure and a committed roster within days. Another big plus is that Coach Mannix has previous TBT coaching experience, so that gives The Commonwealth a leg up.”
“The Collective’s mission is to create income opportunities for current players. Supporting The Commonwealth will help build a program we can all be proud of and feel connected to – in part, because it amps up the fun in an otherwise slow time in the world of basketball.” MacWilliams added.
“Since the inception of TBT I’ve always thought that we’d be able to put together a team that can compete and win,” said Javorn Farell, Director of Player Personnel for The Commonwealth. “Every year, I’ve reached out to guys to gauge their interest – and this year it’s finally going to happen. I’m excited that we’re here and will be able to go to war with my guys again – this time from the sidelines.”
“To be part of another UMass team, and to be able to coach it, is a dream come true,” said The Commonwealth Coach Mike Mannix. “I’ll draw on all of my experience – with the Indiana Pacers and at Drexel University and Wilbraham & Monson Academy. Plus my work coaching in TBT last year. I want us ready to win the championship! We’ll plant the UMass flag when the Commonwealth wins TBT.”
“We look forward to connecting the dots this summer – to bringing together UMass alumni, members of the Collective and fans of the university and the basketball program,” said MacWilliams.
The roster is set to include fan favorites Chaz Williams, Maxie Esho, Cady Lalanne, Jabarie Hinds, Donte Clark, Luwane Pipkins, CJ Anderson and Carl Pierre. “We're loaded. Javorn put this all together, and he’s not done…stay tuned,” said MacWilliams.
The Commonwealth TBT team will hold a training camp in Amherst in July and host a number of fan and alumni events. The balance of the roster and coaching staff will include additional notable UMass alumni. Sponsorship opportunities exist but are filling quickly.
Visit TheCommonwealthTBT.com for more information and follow on Twitter and Instagram @CommonwealthTBT
About The Commonwealth TBT: The Commonwealth is a basketball team comprised of UMass Basketball alumni excited to compete in the $1 million ESPN The Basketball Tournament (TNT) in the summer of 2023.
