The charity pro-am tournament will see eight teams from USA, Lithuania and the UK balling out on the South Coast to compete for the WCBT crown on 14 /15 September at Summerfields Leisure Centre.
It will once again play host to some global basketball stars and after welcoming Cardell Butler, AKA Ballaholic, who featured on the And1 Mixtape Tour, in 2023. Butler will be joined by his former teammate Larry ‘Bone Collector’ Williams at WCBT2024.
Both players will be representing the USA team, Kitsap Admirals, who are returning to compete at WCBT for the fourth time as part of their ‘Streetball to Pro Tour’ which will also see them host youth coaching sessions at local schools.
“I am overwhelmed with the interest this year’s tournament has generated. Even though we have eight teams competing we could have doubled that figure.
"It is a privilege to have basketball legends of the calibre of the Bone Collector and Ballaholic competing at WCBT as they have millions of followers on social media, which provides visibility for UK basketball.”
The tournament format will consist of two groups of four teams competing across the weekend, plus a dunk contest, merchandise, cheerleaders and a film crew on hand to cover the event.
The free youth coaching session will take place at 9:45am on Sunday 15 September. Hosted by the New York Court Kings and Kitsap Admirals coaching staff and players, the session will also include prizes giveaways, music, cheerleaders and more.
Proceeds from the tournament will go to Kidney Research UK and Gift of Living Donation , which are the dedicated charities of the event after founder Douglin received a kidney from his wife Mandi in 2010.
A local league player, who set up Bexhill Giants in East Sussex to quench the thirst of his three basketball-mad sons, Douglin was diagnosed with kidney disease in 2006. Then in 2021, he underwent lifesaving surgery for a bowel rupture.
“The intention of the WCBT initially was to raise funds and awareness for kidney research, then my bowel ruptured through diverticulitis, so I thought I would do the same for Bowel Research UK," said Douglin, who has twice won Volunteer of the Year at the Sussex Sports Awards.
“I see the tournament as a vehicle for guys to come over and play and be competitive, but also to have open conversations about these diseases, organ donation and the charities involved. And they can see me as someone who has survived these difficulties."
Tickets for the tournament are £6 on both days and free to Under 16’s, with the action starting at 11:00am.
For more info and to contact the tournament, please use the button below.
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