Why are former USC basketball greats staging a reunion? Hint: $2 million on the line

Devan Downey can still get to the bucket any time he pleases. Carlos Powell is still a double-double threat. Frank Booker doesn’t appear to be losing his long-range shooting touch anytime soon.

A handful of former South Carolina basketball players again flashed their skills for local fans at the SC Pro-Am. At the same time in Atlanta, the likes of ex-Ohio State Buckeyes, ex-BYU Cougars and ex-Marquette Golden Eagles competed against one another for a shot at serious cash.

The Basketball Tournament is a nation-wide single-elimination tournament that’s taken place each summer since 2014. The field, made up of mostly former college players who now play in international professional leagues, is up to 72 teams. Since 2016, $2 million has been on the line for the winner.

A USC-based team has yet to participate, but the wheels are in motion.

“Me and Carlos started talking about it,” Downey said Sunday, “we’re definitely going to get that team next year. South Carolina alums will have a TBT next year.”

Downey, an All-American for the Gamecocks in 2010, and Powell, the 2005 NIT MVP, both played in Venezuela last season. They’ve started a group chat with other ex-Gamecocks to gauge interest on forming a TBT team.

According to the event’s official website, the application period for the 2018 TBT ran from April 2-June 1, and teams had to have seven players by June 1 to be eligible.

Downey and Powell said there’s been contact made with at least Renaldo Balkman, Dominique Archie, Tre’ Kelley, Tarence Kinsey and Rocky Trice. Johndre Jefferson, who played at USC from 2009-11, is approaching his fourth TBT title with Overseas Elite. Elite takes on a team of former Marquette players in a Thursday semifinal.

“He looks like he’s about to four-peat,” Downey said, “so it probably wouldn’t be wise for him to come.”

Booker, who’s off to play in France after his lone season in garnet and black, is on Powell’s radar.

“Everyone needs a shooter,” Powell said.

A team must have, among other requirements, a coach and general manager.

Aaron Lucas, a former USC guard who’s now an assistant at Lower Richland, is a coaching candidate. He’s stayed tight with Downey, Powell and company.

“We’ve been trying for two years,” Lucas said of a TBT team. “I think it’ll be good. We’ve had a lot of talent that’s come out of this state, a lot of talent that’s played for the University of South Carolina, guys that take a lot of pride in the University of South Carolina.

“I think we feel like we can be competitive as well. We’ve talked about it. Johndre Jefferson has won three years in a row. I think he’s going for his fourth now. Saw Murphy Holloway playing in it recently. So a lot of guys are starting to find their way in. And we’ve just talked about for the past couple years.

“But it takes some sponsorship, it takes some money, it takes commitment. We had Dominique Archie, we had Devan, Carlos. We had commitments. There’s just a lot more that goes into it.”

The 72 teams are divided up into four 18-team regions. Of those 18 teams, nine are selected for tournament entry based on popularity (fans vote on TheTournament.com up until a certain date). Four teams are able to buy into a region for $5,000.

“We wanted to do it this year,” Powell said, “but a lot of guys got back (from playing overseas) later than usual, so we couldn’t really get it going. I wanted to get it going, but next year we want to enter our name at least and see if we can get voted in.”

If it happens, expect a USC-related team name – “We bleed Gamecocks, man,” Powell said – and an eager group.

“Two million dollars is not bad at all,” Powell said. “I’m telling you, I want a shot at it.”