A Revamped Competition Returns in 2026
The Basketball Tournament, a summer staple that has drawn former college stars and professional hopefuls alike, is set to make its comeback next year with a fresh structure. Organizers have expanded the field to sixteen squads, splitting them evenly between alumni programs and non‑alumni entries, and have restored the prize pool to its pre‑pandemic level of two million dollars.
Among the alumni teams, the Kansas contingent known as JHX Hoops will once again field a roster headlined by former Jayhawk point guard Frank Mason III. Mason, who averaged 18 points and five assists for the KU alumni in 2024, will look to translate his collegiate success into a deeper run after the team fell in the third round in each of the past three editions.
JHX Hoops open the tournament against Kansas State’s Purple Reign in a best‑of‑three series that promises a modern twist on the classic rivalry. The matchup is part of a larger alumni bracket that will see the winner of the Sunflower Showdown edition — pitting the KU alumni against the combined forces of Wichita State and New Mexico alumni — advance to face the champion of that series.
The 2025 edition saw the Wichita State alumni squad, dubbed the AfterShocks, capture the title, underscoring the competitive balance between the traditional powerhouses and emerging programs. With eight alumni teams now part of the field, the tournament aims to blend nostalgia with fresh talent, offering fans a unique blend of college memories and professional aspirations.
Beyond the on‑court storylines, the 2026 TBT will be staged across multiple venues, including sites in Kansas such as Wichita, Topeka and Manhattan, as well as a stop in Las Vegas, Nevada. The expanded geography reflects a deliberate effort to broaden the tournament’s reach while maintaining a strong regional presence for its core fan base.