UNC Basketball: Former Tar Heel JP Tokoto to play in TBT

Former UNC basketball player JP Tokoto will be showcasing his talents in the TBT tournament as he laces up for the Eberlein Drive.

The annual TBT tournament began in 2014, and is currently the highest-stake basketball tournament of its kind, where 64 teams compete for the grand prize of $1 million. This single-elimination tournament runs nine-minute quarters, and players are allowed five fouls with the sixth foul resulting in disqualification.

Eberlein Drive has competed in this tournament seven times, including being runner-up in 2018 and making the elite 8 in 2019. A chance at a team split of $1 million, plus being seen in the spotlight once again, could be the break that JP Tokoto has been looking for after wowing fans in the 2019 TBT tournament as a member of the Armored Athlete team.

Tokoto played for the Tar Heels from 2012 to 2015 where he became a defensive leader earning Atlantic Coast Conference All-Defensive honors in 2014. During his time with the UNC basketball program, he appeared in 107 games averaging 6.7 points per game, with 292 career assists and 128 steals.

After his junior season, Tokoto declared for the 2015 NBA draft where he heard his name called in the second round, bringing his talents to the Philadelphia 76ers. After being drafted, Tokoto played some time in the G-league where he averaged 12.3 points, 2.4 assists, 4.8 rebounds per game. Tokoto most recently has dribbled his way into the international scene playing the last three seasons overseas, and averaging 13.2 points, 3.1 assists, 5.8 rebounds and 1.5 steals.

Tokoto’s lock-down defense will be key for Eberlein Drive, and they will use his court vision for easy passing lanes. The tournament kicks off on July 16th, and will last through the first week of August. Tickets are on sale now, and the tournament is expected to be televised on ESPN.

Be sure to check back with Keeping it Heel for updates on JP Tokoto and his journey through the TBT tournament.