West Virginia TBT Squad Withdraws After Positive COVID-19 Test

Best Virginia, a team exclusively made up of former West Virginia Mountaineers, has withdrawn from the 2020 TBT due to a positive COVID-19 test (or tests). Tournament organizers had a few teams on call for a situation like this, and Playing For Jimmy V will now get the nod in their place, the No. 10 seed.

Playing for Jimmy V will now play Herd That in the opening round of the tournament. Playing for Jimmy V is led by former Gonzaga standout Josh Perkins and Marques Townes, the second-leading scorer from Loyola-Chicago’s 2018 Final Four team.

“We’re disappointed for the Best Virginia players and fans that they won’t get an opportunity to compete in TBT 2020,” Jon Mugar, founder and CEO of TBT, said in a statement (via ESPN). “Our thoughts are with the player for a speedy recovery. While the virus remains a persistent threat, we have confidence in our health and safety plan and the many safeguards we have put in place to run this year’s tournament.”

Best Virginia was allowed to compete in the tournament with uninfected players — after a 14-day quarantine and multiple tests — but chose to withdraw instead, per ESPN.

Once the tournament kicks off on July 4th, any positive test will result in that team being removed from the event. Another team made up of Division-II players is also on standby if anything else arises.

The winner of this year’s 24-team tournament will split $1 million. All games can be seen on the ESPN family of networks.

For former NBA players competing, the bracket, and schedule, click here.