Best Virginia Adds Former WVU G Erik Stevenson for TBT

Former WVU G Erik Stevenson is joining Best Virginia for the TBT tournament next week, the team announced on Monday morning.

“Thanks to our sponsor Hasten Services, we were able to get a last minute, but crucial piece to Best Virginia,” said GM John Flowers. “Erik was a great Mountaineer, and loves the state of West Virginia. Personally, I’m also happy to be able to have the chance to play on the same team as him.”

IT’S OFFICIAL!

Erik signed up on Day 1, but wasn’t sure if timing would work out, but @ej_stevenson5 is joining us for @thetournament!!

Get your tickets for July 25-29 in Wheeling at https://t.co/vFXQtI5rLi

Special thanks to Hasten Services to help us with the last minute add! pic.twitter.com/MB8IAmgopk

— Best Virginia™ • Final Fourcast Podcast (@finalfourcast) July 17, 2023

Stevenson wrapped up his final year of eligibility at West Virginia, helping the Mountaineers return to the NCAA Tournament in March. Stevenson averaged 15.4 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.5 assists on 43 percent shooting from the field. The fifth-year senior played his best towards the end of the year, recording five-straight 20-point-plus games at the end of February.

Stevenson is pursuing a professional career in basketball. The Lacey, Wa. native participated in the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament in April, competing in front of scouts. He’s worked out with multiple NBA teams this month, including the Washington Wizards and Cleveland Cavaliers before being signed as an undrafted free agent.

From now, Stevenson will compete for an NBA G-League spot with the Spurs’ affiliated team. Stevenson scored 23 points for the Spurs in his last game on Sunday night.

Best Virginia received the No. 1-seed in the Wheeling regional of the TBT tournament. The super regional will take place from July 25-30 at Wesbanco Arena. Best Virginia will take on Dubois Dream in the first round. Herd That (Marshall) and Zoo Crew (Pitt) will play in the first round as well with the winner potentially facing Best Virginia in the next round.

This marks Best Virginia’s third-straight summer of hosting a regional; two in Charleston (2021-22) and now in Wheeling (2023). Last year, Best Virginia made a run to the Elite-8 in Dayton, the closest the group has been to the $1 million prize.

Best Virginia is 6-2 all-time in their TBT history, dating back to 2019.

Wheeling will be one of TBT’s eight regional locations this summer. Eight teams will compete in the West Virginia Regional over the course of five days in July in the single-elimination event, with the West Virginia Regional champion advancing to the quarterfinals.

The Basketball Tournament is a 64-team field, which the winning team takes home $1 million.