CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) –The Inaugural NBA Cup was held in 2023, during a month-long break in the 2023-2024 NBA season. It was a knockout tournament involving all 30 teams, starting with group play followed by single-elimination knockout rounds, culminating in the Los Angeles Lakers winning the cup.

In its 14th year, Charlottesville’s summer basketball association conducted its own in-season tournament. The Tonsler League held an in-season tournament with six teams competing for a $1,000 cash prize on the storied courts of John Paul Jones Arena. This event marked the first time UVA partnered with the Tonsler League. Commissioner Wes Bellamy, co-coordinator Ariel Long, and head of production Boo Agee prepared and organized the tournament, resulting in a premier Friday night spectacle of basketball.

 

Fans from across the community filled the arena seats to watch their favorite players showcase their talents in round-robin play across two courts. Popcorn and soda were available, and UVA Football analyst Ahmad Hawkins, a former player in the league, entertained the crowd with his commentary and player nicknames. The six teams competing were Mamba Mentality, Team Lake, Ballyworld, Splikak, Elite Company, and Supreme Skills.

In the knockout rounds, Elite Company, having scored the most points in each game, faced the original league team, Supreme Skills. The final began as a hard-fought, close contest, but Elite Company soon gained momentum. By the second half, the game became a showcase of skills, featuring numerous dunks, crossovers, and three-pointers.

Elite Company won the tournament, but the real winners were the fans. League play resumed on Sunday evening in Tonsler Park and will continue this Thursday at the same location.