The Basketball Tournament returns this summer, and so does Boeheim’s Army. After sitting out the 2024 edition, the 2021 TBT champion is back with a blend of familiar faces and exciting new additions.
Led by Head Coach Allen Griffin, the current Syracuse Assistant Coach, the No.1 seed includes notable returning Syracuse alumni such as Chris McCullough, Rakeem Christmas, and Jimmy Boeheim. It also welcomes high-profile newcomers, including Buddy Boeheim, who is poised for his eagerly anticipated TBT debut alongside Jimmy, under the mentorship of their father, Jim Boeheim, who will serve as a team booster.
With tipoff against Herkimer Originals at 6 pm on Saturday, July 19, at SRC Arena, here’s a closer look at the full roster.
Syracuse-affiliated players
Buddy Boeheim (shooting guard)
Buddy’s tenure at Syracuse was defined by his scorching shooting runs with the program. He left his legacy during the Orange’s 2021 NCAA Tournament run. In a stunning upset over San Diego State, Buddy erupted for 30 points, drilling an astonishing seven 3-pointers. Led by his scoring prowess, Syracuse then upset West Virginia and reached the Sweet 16.
Ranking second in 3-pointers made in school history, Buddy began his professional career with the Detroit Pistons and their G League affiliate, Motor City Cruise. His breakout came in the 2023–24 season, averaging 17.2 points per game while shooting 42.9% from 3-point range. In the ongoing NBA Summer League, he appeared on the roster of the Indiana Pacers. With his NBA experience and elite shooting, Buddy will be essential to the team’s offense.
Jimmy Boeheim (wing)
There’s nothing more exciting than seeing the Boeheim brothers and their father sharing the same court for the second time. As the returner from the 2023 campaign, Jimmy’s legacy is rooted in gritty defense and clutch 3-point shooting during his Cornell career from 2016 to 2020. In 2021, Jimmy joined Syracuse as a graduate student, enjoying his final collegiate season with Buddy and Jim. Against Duke during the ACC Tournament, he scored 28 points but didn’t carry the Orange further in the postseason.
After spending one year with his brother at the Pistons, Jimmy kicked off his European career, playing professional basketball in Greece, the Czech Republic and Germany.
Malachi Richardson (small forward)
In the 2016 NCAA Tournament, freshman Richardson made a standout performance, helping the Orange reach the Final Four. His unexpected debut started in the first round against Dayton, where he scored 21 points and made clutch shots to dispel doubts and energize the team. He then scored a decisive 23 points against Virginia in the Elite Eight, playing a vital role in Syracuse’s comeback from a 15-point deficit.
His first tournament run elevated him into NBA draft discussions, and the Charlotte Hornets picked him 22nd overall in the 2016 NBA Draft. They traded him to the Sacramento Kings, where he played parts of two seasons, also spending time in the G League. He later had brief stints with the Toronto Raptors and Philadelphia 76ers, along with overseas periods in Israel, Italy, Poland, Indonesia and Mexico.
Chris McCullough (power forward/center)
After a breakout freshman year at Syracuse (2014–15), McCullough declared for the NBA, becoming the 29th pick in the 2015 draft. His lone college season showcased his athleticism, shot-blocking and ability to finish around the rim, averaging 9.3 points and 6.9 rebounds per game.
As a TBT returner this year, McCullough’s impact in TBT has been equally impressive. As a key contributor to the 2021 Boeheim’s Army championship team, he delivered critical rebounds and scoring, including stepping up during the Elam Ending in the title game.
Rakeem Christmas (center)
Christmas was a dominant force for Syracuse from 2011 to 2015, culminating in his senior season when he earned first-team All-ACC and third-team All-America honors in 2015. That year, he averaged 17.5 points and 9.1 rebounds, cementing himself as a pillar of the Orange’s frontcourt.
Christmas spent two years with the Indiana Pacers and their G League affiliate, Fort Wayne Mad Ants, before starting his European career overseas. In TBT, Christmas was part of Boeheim’s Army’s title run in 2021. Returning in both 2023 and 2025 with Chris, he brings invaluable veteran leadership and dominance on the floor.
Elijah Hughes (small forward)
Hughes transferred to Syracuse after two seasons at East Carolina and made an immediate impact after redshirting a year. In his redshirt sophomore season (2018–19), he averaged 13.7 points and shot 36.9% from beyond the arc. He broke out next season, posting 19 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game, earning first-team All-ACC honors.
Hughes began his NBA career with the Utah Jazz in 2020 and later played for the Portland Trail Blazers. He spent two seasons with the Wisconsin Herd in the G League before brief stints with teams in Turkey and Greece. In 2025, he joined CB Breogán in Spain’s Liga ACB, marking his first European experience.
Non-Syracuse players
Nick Perkins (power forward)
A two-time All-MAC selection at Buffalo, Perkins helped lead the Bulls to back-to-back NCAA Tournament runs in 2018 and 2019. Known for his toughness and rebounding, he finished fourth all-time in school history with 848 rebounds. As a pro, he has built a strong international résumé with stops in Japan, Italy and Taiwan, where he currently plays for the TSG GhostHawks.
As a key contributor for Blue Collar U in TBT, he helped capture the 2022 championship. Now, he is expected to bring inside-out versatility and tournament experience.
Jacob Gilyard (point guard)
Gilyard became an NCAA legend at Richmond by setting the all-time Division I steals record (466). He also led the Spiders to the 2022 Atlantic 10 title and an NCAA upset over Iowa. Now a pro in Germany, he has emerged as a standout playmaker and defender for the Niners Chemnitz. He brings Boeheim’s Army strength on the defensive end.
Frank Mason III (point guard)
Another strong addition from outside the Syracuse network. As the 2017 Naismith National Player of the Year at Kansas, Mason averaged 20.9 points and 5.2 assists in his senior season. Drafted by the Sacramento Kings in 2017, he spent five years in the NBA and G League, including winning the 2020 G League MVP with the Wisconsin Herd. He also played for Team USA twice internationally, including the 2015 Summer Universiade (gold) and the 2022 AmeriCup (bronze).
Last year, Mason represented Mass Street, Kansas’ alumni team, in TBT, scoring 18.0 points while shooting 40% from 3-point range. His veteran savvy and scoring make him a TBT asset.
Noah Starkey (center)
A 7-footer from Division II Southern Nazarene, Starkey was a two-time Defensive Player of the Year in the Great American Conference (GAC) and the school’s all-time blocks leader. After playing in Portugal, Montenegro and Germany, he returned to the U.S. to join the Oklahoma City Blue in the G League, averaging 7.1 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.2 blocks last season. He provides rim protection and size this tournament.
Kevin Lu is a contributor for Fingerlakes1.com. He freelanced for the site during The Basketball Tournament (TBT) in 2025.