Best Virginia to Pause Participation in TBT Following 2025’s Final Four Run

Instead of returning to the TBT to pursue back-to-back Final Fours, Best Virginia will pause their participation in the annual summer tournament.

Below is what Best Virginia general manager and former Mountaineer John Flowers said about the decision to take summer 2026 off from the TBT.

“Last year, our WVU alumni team, Best Virginia, made history with a Final Four run in the TBT in Charleston, WV. Your incredible support powered us every step of the way, and we’re immensely grateful.

We had hoped to bring TBT back to WV this summer, but the tournament will not be held in Charleston in 2026. Although we will not be competing in the TBT this year, our youth travel teams remain active and continue to build momentum.”

WV Sports Now reached out to Flowers to ask for clarification about if the TBT not being held in West Virginia in consecutive years is what prompted the break. Best Virginia did participate in 2024 when the tournament was held in Pittsburgh, a closer travel distance from Morgantown than Charleston and an easier access airport for players, granted outside of the state.

In 2025, a Best Virginia team led by Jarrod West Sr. beat Maryland’s alumni team, Shell Shock, to advance to the Final Four. Best Virginia then fell to Eberlein Drive in the semifinals.

Brest Virginia head coach Jarrod West St. talking to players like John Flowers during the 2025 TBT. Mandatory credit to Brian McWalters/The Basketball Tournament from the 2019 TBT game against Seven City Royalty

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