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Overseas Elite wins TBT's $1 million prize

08/02/2015, 11:00pm EDT

By Madeline Pryor

D.J. Kennedy (above) and Overseas Elite won the second-ever The Basketball Tournament, and its first $1 million prize. (Photo: Madeline Pryor)

Madeline Pryor (@maddyyypryor)
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NEW YORK CITY -- For the fans, The Basketball Tournament came down to an exciting finish. For players and coaches, it was stressful--and only half of them came away happy.

“That took years off of my life,” Overseas Elite coach Colin Curtin said after the thrilling 67-65 defeat of Team 23 in the TBT Championship game.

And there were plenty of reasons to stress: a million reasons, to be specific.

The nearly sold-out crowd was given quite the show at the historic Rose Hill Gym at Fordham University, including backwards dunks, a 34-point performance from Team 23's Davin White, and, a check for $1 million handed to the winners.

Overseas Elite started off the game on a 7-0 run that was broken up by two dunks from Team 23’s Zach Andrews, and the same back-and-forth nature remained throughout the contest.

“We gave the fans what they were looking forward to,” said St. John’s alum D.J Kennedy, who finished with a team-high 24 points, including 13 in the first half; he'll take home (pre-taxes) $90,000 from the win.

It wasn’t easy, though, as Team 23’s defense proved difficult to break.

“At some points, I felt like there were six guys out there,” Curtin said. “They were always collapsing in the lane and making it really difficult for us.”

Throughout the second half, Overseas Elite would go on quick runs behind point guard Errick McCollum (take: $107,000), but most were ultimately stopped by White.

“He’s the best player in the tournament, bar none,” Team 23 GM Michael Illiano said of White.

“We held him to 34 points, so that’s pretty good,” boasted Curtin.

McCollum added that White was the only double-digit player for Team 23, making a large difference in the game.

When asked about how important this game was compared to others in their career, Paris Horne was quick to say, “This is the biggest win I’ve ever had,” while his teammates nodded in agreement.

With just over 54 seconds left in the contest, the game was stopped due to a scuffle at the halfcourt line between Overseas Elite’s Myck Kabongo and Team 23’s Andrew Kelly. Ultimately, no call was made and the game played on.

When discussing the scrappy play, Kabongo mentioned that the intensity of the game required needed more than “chippy” fouls. He also gave credit to both teams for keeping things in check. He said, “We all kept our composure...the professionalism that each guy has is first class.”

Kabongo, a Texas alum, came through with vital drives, kicking to the outside for open shots, but it was his defense that stuck out to Team 23.

“Kabongo’s ball denial was key,” Illiano said. “It set the tone for the whole game."

White made one final 3-pointer to bring Team 23 within two points with just 21 seconds left, but it was not enough. Moments later, Overseas Elite was handed an oversized $1 million check from TBT founder Jon Mugar.

The answer to the question everyone wanted to know: what will Overseas Elite do tonight to celebrate?

“I’m upgrading from emergency exit [seats] to first class,” joked a late addition, big man Shane Lawal, who gets $95k for the win.

Lawal was unable to make the first few rounds of the tournament due to prior obligations, but players contributed extra (potential) winnings just to make sure he would go out of his way and make the extra effort to be there.

“He was so important,” said McCollum, “everybody took $10,000-$15,000 less so that we could have him come.”

Despite early tournament troubles, playing with different rosters in every city, it was clear to see that the team had chemistry and was able to succeed.

As for coming back to defend the championship title in 2016?

“They’re going to have to see us next year,” added Arizona alum Kyle Fogg.