Earl Clark Will Not Play for Louisville Alumni TBT Team

“The Ville” is set to begin their run in The Basketball Tournament next week.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The most recent addition to the playing roster for the Louisville men’s basketball alumni team taking part in the 2023 iteration of The Basketball Tournament is having to back out.

“The Ville” announced Tuesday morning that, due to “recent contractual obligations beyond his control,” Earl Clark will not be able to participate in the 2023 TBT.

“I wish I could be out there with my brothers playing in Freedom Hall one more time,” Clark said in the press release. “The Ville will always hold a special place in my heart, and I hope to get back soon.”

Despite Clark having to back out, the roster for “The Ville” is still full of names familiar to Louisville fans. Russ Smith, Peyton Siva, Kyle Kuric, Wayne Blackshear, Chane Behanan, Steven Enoch, Rakeem Buckles and Dillon Avare have also committed to the playing roster; while Luke Hancock, Mark Lieberman and Jordan Sucher are among those that will serve on the coaching staff.

TBT is a 64-team, $1 million winner-take-all tournament that has seen its popularity rise in recent years after it was first established in 2014. While anyone over 18 years old and not currently on an NBA roster can play, teams more often than not consist of former collegiate and professional basketball players.

It is also home to the Elam Ending, which is an alternate way to conclude basketball games without them turning into an intentional foul fest. At the first dead ball under four minutes in the fourth quarter, a target score for both teams is then established by adding eight points to the leading team’s score.

The Ville will host to one of TBT’s eight regional locations, with play taking place at legendary Freedom Hall. Eight teams will compete in the Louisville Regional, with the regional champion advancing to the quarterfinals. One of TBT’s Quarterfinals games will also take place at Freedom Hall, with the winner of the Louisville Regional taking on the champion of another regional.

The Louisville Regional lasts from Tuesday, July 25 to Saturday, July 29, with the Quarterfinal at Freedom Hall taking place on Monday, July 31. The Ville will kick off their run on the first day of the regional at 7:00 p.m. EST against the Auburn alumni team War Ready.

(Photo of Earl Clark: Brett Hansbauer - USA TODAY Sports)

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