Boeheim’s Army defeats Team 23 to win TBT Championship, $1M prize

BasketballNews.com Staff
Aug 5 2021

DAYTON, August 3, 2021 - Boeheim’s Army, the Syracuse alumni team, defeated Team 23 69-67 in The Basketball Tournament’s 2021 championship game, a thrilling contest that ended with a Keifer Sykes game-winning three during the Elam Ending®. 

(Editor's Note: Learn more about the Elam Ending in Spencer Davies' exclusive Q&A with its creator, Nick Elam)

Boeheim’s Army, a TBT entrant since 2015, won its first seven-figure prize and TBT championship in what was also its first trip to the championship game. This year’s roster was composed of six Syracuse alumni, including former NBA first-round picks Chris McCullough, Malachi Richardson, and Tyler Lydon, as well as legendary former Orange guard Eric Devendorf. The team also added D.J. Kennedy and DeAndre Kane, previously members of four-time champion Overseas Elite, as well as former UW-Green Bay star guard Keifer Sykes.

With Boeheim’s Army down 67-66 and the Target Score™ set at 69 points, Sykes hit a stunning 25-foot three to give Boeheim’s Army the championship and $1M prize. Shortly after the game, it was announced that Sykes agreed to a contract with the Indiana Pacers, his first NBA deal since 2015. The 27-year-old, two-time Horizon League Player of the Year led all scorers in TBT’s championship game with 21 points. 

Fellow Boeheim’s Army guard Tyrese Rice earned 2021 TBT MVP honors. Rice was joined by Marcus Keene (Sideline Cancer), Raphiael Putney (Team 23), Dominique Jones (Florida TNT), and Nick Perkins (Blue Collar U) on TBT’s All-Tournament Team.

Sykes, as well as each of his nine teammates, earned $80,000 for winning TBT, with the coaching staff and front office splitting the remaining $200,000. The entire $1M prize was distributed via Zelle® at the conclusion of the game.

With the victory, Boeheim’s Army became the eighth champion in TBT’s eight-year history, and the fourth alumni team to take home TBT’s grand prize.