Bearcats' Nasty Nati TBT Team to Begin Play July 18

CINCINNATI – The Basketball Tournament (TBT) – the $1 million, winner-take-all summer basketball event broadcast live on ESPN networks – today revealed the eight-team bracket for the Xavier Regional hosted by Xavier. Nasty Nati, a first-year Cincinnati alumni team, were accepted into the event in April. Games will be played at the Cintas Center from July 18-21.

Nasty Nati is organized by former Cincinnati guards Kevin Johnson and Cane Broome. Former Cincinnati forward and 11-year NBA veteran Corie Blount will serve as the team's head coach, and Broome will be the team's assistant. Nasty Nati's current roster includes:

● Shaq Thomas (2012-16)
● Troy Caupain (2013-17)
● Octavius Ellis (2014-16)
● Coreontae DeBerry (2014-16)
● Jacob Evans (2015-18)
● Jarron Cumberland (2016-20)
● Trevon Scott (2016-20)
● Isaiah Miller (UNC-Greensboro)
● Marquez Letcher-Ellis (Rice)
● Ty Jordan (Malone University)

Nasty Nati will play the Fort Wayne Champs Monday, July 18, at 6 p.m. ET. If Nasty Nati advances to the second round, they will face the winner of Florida TNT and AboutBillions on Wednesday, July 20 at 6 pm ET. AboutBillions is also led by head coach and former UC All-American Steve Logan, while former standout Justin Jenifer is playing as well.

The Xavier Regional championship game is Thursday, July 21 at 7 pm ET.

The winner of the Xavier Regional will head to UD Arena in Dayton, Ohio for Championship Week. Quarterfinals games are July 28-29, and the semifinals and $1 million winner-take-all championship game will be July 30 and Aug. 2 at UD. For more information on Nasty Nati and tickets for this year's TBT, visit TheTournament.com.