Chris Jones and Dillon Avare sign with Louisville Alumni Men’s Basketball Team, TBT

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Two more familiar faces from the Louisville men’s basketball program are joining their alumni team competing in the basketball tournament.

Former Cardinals Chris Jones and Dillon Avare have both signed their contracts for the 2024 roster with “The Ville,” TBT announced Thursday.

The Ville has several well-known former Louisville players for its second appearance in the TBT. Russ Smith, Peyton Siva, Chinanu Onuaku and Kyle Kuric are all back, while Montrezl Harrell makes his TBT debut. Reece Gaines will serve as The Ville’s head coach this year, with Luke Hancock and Keith Oddo joining as assistants.

Jones is switching sides this year, as last season as a member of the Jackson TN Underdawgs he faced The Ville in their first TBT run. He scored 25 points, the most of the game, but The Ville won 79-74 in the Louisville Regional semifinals.

Jones last played for the London Lightning (Ontario) in the 2023/24 season. He averaged 21.6 points and 5.3 assists per game as well as 5.3 rebounds, helping the team win the Basketball Super League for the third year in a row.

The 6’0″, 195-pound guard played two seasons at Louisville from 2013 to 2015 after transferring from Northwest Florida State. In his senior year, he averaged 13.7 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 26 games. He was dismissed from the team late in the season after being accused of rape, but was later acquitted.

Avare played his first two college seasons at Louisville before playing two seasons at Eastern Kentucky. In his final year as a Colonel, the 6-foot-3, 155-pound guard averaged 4.7 points, 1.0 assists and 0.7 rebounds per game.

TBT is a 64-team, winner-takes-all tournament with a $1 million prize pool. Since its inception in 2014, it has grown in popularity in recent years. While anyone over the age of 18 who is not currently on an NBA roster can participate, teams are mostly made up of former college and professional basketball players.

This is also where the Elam Ending takes place, an alternative way to end basketball games without them becoming an intentional foulfest. On the first dead ball under four minutes in the fourth quarter, a target score is then set for both teams by adding eight points to the leading team’s score.

The Ville will be one of TBT’s eight regional sites, with games taking place at the iconic Freedom Hall. Eight teams will compete in the Louisville Regional, with the regional champion advancing to the quarterfinals. The Louisville Regional will take place July 19-14.

(Photo by Chris Jones: Charles LeClaire – USA TODAY Sports)

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