The Basketball Tournament returns with a high-stakes doubleheader featuring alumni and regional brackets broadcast live on FS1 and FOX Sports platforms. Viewers can stream the action through FOXSports.com and the FOX Sports App, according to tournament scheduling details.
Alumni Bracket Stakes for JHX Hoops and AfterShocks
The nightcap features a matchup between JHX Hoops, representing Kansas alumni, and the AfterShocks, representing Wichita State alumni. According to tournament organizers, the winner advances to the Alumni Bracket Championship on Wednesday, July 29, to face La Familia, the Kentucky alumni team that secured its spot earlier in the bracket.
La Familia reached the championship after a 2-1 opening series victory over The Ville, representing Louisville alumni, followed by a 70-66 win against Boeheim’s Army, representing Syracuse alumni, in the quarterfinals. JHX Hoops advanced by defeating Purple Reign, the Kansas State alumni squad, 2-1 in the first round. The AfterShocks advanced through the opening round by defeating The Enchantment, representing New Mexico alumni, by a matching 2-1 series score.
Vegas Bracket and Knockout Round Pathways
Monday’s opening game pits Red Rose War Ready against the Gotham City Bockers. According to tournament rules, the winner advances to the next knockout round in Las Vegas to face Davis Steel, which won Group A during round-robin play and earned a direct bye into Round 2.
On the opposite side of the Vegas bracket, Heartfire Elite won Group B to claim the second bye into Round 2. Heartfire Elite awaits the winner of the matchup between the Knueppel Crew and The Mecca. The victors of those Round 2 matchups will face off in the Vegas Bracket Championship, with that winner ultimately advancing to play the Alumni Bracket champion in the tournament final.
Tournament Format and Prize Details
The Basketball Tournament features former college basketball players competing in school-affiliated alumni rosters and non-alumni squads. The 2026 field features 14 teams, split between eight alumni squads playing best-of-three series and six non-alumni squads competing in group play followed by the Las Vegas knockout rounds.
Games utilize the Elam Ending format, which removes the game clock during the fourth quarter and sets a target score by adding eight points to the leading team’s total. The first team to reach the target score wins the game. The tournament offers a winner-take-all $2 million cash prize, marking the largest purse for the event since 2019, according to tournament officials.