NC players to appear in ‘The Basketball Tournament.’ DJ Burns headlines group

North Carolina college basketball fans have a chance to see their favorite former players this summer as part of The Basketball Tournament, the single-elimination open-invitation tournament that takes place at sites across the country.

DJ Burns, N.C. State alumnus and 2024 NCAA Tournament social media darling, is among the headliners for this year’s tournament.

Burns will play on Team Challenge ALS in the Wichita regional from July 18-22.

He spent the past season with the Sono Skygunners in Korea. Burns averaged 12.6 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game during his college career, which included stops at Tennessee and Winthrop.

In his final season with N.C. State, Burns averaged 12.9 points — including a career-high 529 points — and 4.0 rebounds per game. He scored in double digits 31 times and contributed two double-doubles.

The big man gained national attention during the Wolfpack’s 2024 ACC Championship and Final Four run for his on-court dance moves, big personality and ability to facilitate the offense.

Burns signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers for the 2024 Summer League before taking his talents overseas.

TBT is personal mission for NC State assistant

The team is led by first-year N.C. State assistant coach Brandon Chambers. Chambers joined the Wolfpack this year as part of Will Wade’s inaugural staff, following Wade from McNeese State. The roster includes Antavion Collum, who played under Chambers and Wade at McNeese.

Team Challenge ALS was formed by Sean Marshall to raise awareness and funding for research into the disease. The team, according to TBT communications, has been a regular contender in the event. It has made multiple runs in the tournament and received recognition as an inspirational and impactful team.

Chambers said the team holds special meaning for him. He began working with the team five years ago after Marshall offered him a spot. The now-N.C. State assistant said his father, Col. Jay Chambers Jr., was diagnosed with the disease in February 2007 and died in April 2010.

“The Challenge ALS team and its mission, gives myself, my family, and the ALS community something to cheer for, as well as raise funds and awareness for ALS research,” Chambers said in a text message. “I’ve told every Challenge ALS Team over the last five years that although I’ve coached in some of college basketball’s biggest games — NCAA Tournaments, Sweet 16s and Final Fours — nothing beats the TBT for me.”

Chambers said if the team ever won the event, any money would be donated to ALS research or someone fighting the disease.

Marshall founded the team to honor his college roommate Pete Frates. Every year during the tournament, Marshall honors ALS patients, including Jay Chambers, by putting their names on the team’s jerseys.

“He makes sure to remind the players that there are people out there watching us play, and seeing their name on the back of a jersey means a whole lot more to their family than the $1 million dollars that we could potentially win,” Chambers said. “When you represent something like that, when you have someone like Sean Marshall running the show, and you see his passion and support his friend and the mission, it’s hard not to give everything you have to win the game.”

Chambers said he is also supporting friend, Pat Behan, who is battling ALS. He will lay Behan’s shirt and his father’s jersey on the bench for as long as the team plays this summer.

Lots of North Carolina players

TBT includes a number of other former players from all levels who grew up in North Carolina or played for a local university.

N.C. State alumnus Torin Dorn will play for the Court Street Kings, while UNC’s JP Tokoto is joining Herd That. Both teams will play in the West Virginia regional.

Dorn averaged 12.4 points and 5.5 rebounds per game in his Wolfpack career. The Charlotte native ended his career during the 2018-19 season in which he averaged 14 points and 7.2 rebounds in 36 appearances. N.C. State advanced to the NIT quarterfinals that postseason.

He scored a career-high 38 points in March 2019 and career-high 12 rebounds in February of the same season. Dorn recently signed with the Edmonton Stingers in the Canadian Elite Basketball League.

Tokoto, meanwhile, played three seasons for the Tar Heels and contributed 8.3 points and 4.3 assists during his junior season.

He was a member of the ACC All-Defensive team in 2014 after leading the team in steals (55) and ranking No. 2 in conference play for steals. Tokoto finished the season with seven games of at least three steals and 15 games with at least two steals.

Tokoto is the older brother of current UNC guard Seth Trimble.

The Triangle will not only be represented by participating players but has a team in the field.

Raleigh 919 Legends primarily features players who grew up in the Triangle or attended a North Carolina university. The Legends will compete in the American Basketball Association for the 2025-26 season as an expansion team.

Tickets are available online and select games will be streamed on Fox Sports. Winners of each regional will advance to the TBT quarterfinals on July 27. Semifinals are scheduled for July 31 and the championship game, with a $1 million prize, is set for Aug. 3. The location is determined on the winners of each round and the “Home Court Advantage” rankings.

TBT participants with North Carolina ties

This story was originally published June 20, 2025 at 4:17 PM.

Jadyn Watson-Fisher

The News & Observer