Davis Steel’s victory in the 2026 edition of The Basketball Tournament was more than the conclusion of a five-game championship run. It represented the completion of one of the longest and most determined pursuits in TBT history.

The organization began as an unknown group named after a small residential street in Michigan. It briefly became The Stickmen through a partnership with actor Michael Rapaport, developed into a perennial contender under the Eberlein Drive name and finally captured the tournament’s ultimate prize after becoming Davis Steel.

On August 2, 2026, Davis Steel defeated Kentucky alumni team La Familia 67-59 at Historic Memorial Coliseum in Lexington. The victory earned the organization its first TBT championship and the tournament’s $2 million winner-take-all prize. It also rewarded general managers Jacob Hirschmann and Matt Mitchell, who had entered a team in every edition of TBT since the tournament’s inaugural season in 2014.

Who Are Davis Steel?

Davis Steel is a non-alumni TBT organization assembled from professional basketball players with experience in the NBA, NBA G League and international leagues. Unlike alumni teams built primarily around one university, Davis Steel recruits players from different schools, countries and professional backgrounds.

The continuity comes from the leadership of Hirschmann and Mitchell. Rosters have changed dramatically from one summer to the next, but the general managers’ commitment to finding overlooked professional talent has remained the foundation of the organization.

After competing for 12 seasons as Eberlein Drive—including one season under The Stickmen name—the organization partnered with Davis Sports Corp. and entered the 2026 tournament as Davis Steel. The company, operated by brothers Ashley and Adam Davis, manufactures tubing and chain-link fencing and used the partnership to expand the Davis name into sports.

The championship roster included guards Gabe York, Terrell Brown, Anthony Clemmons and Hassani Gravett; wings DJ Rodman, James Reese and Cameron McGriff; and frontcourt players Terry Taylor, Pedro Bradshaw, Nate Watson and Thomas Rutherford. It was a roster constructed for TBT basketball—experienced, physical, versatile and comfortable playing under the pressure of the Elam Ending.

How Eberlein Drive Got Started

The story began in 2014, when Hirschmann and Mitchell entered a team in the first edition of The Basketball Tournament.

The name Eberlein Drive came from the one-block residential street in Fraser, Michigan, where Hirschmann grew up. Sports Illustrated described the actual Eberlein Drive as a dead-end street—or, more generously, a cul-de-sac. It was an appropriate name for a team entering an experimental tournament with few resources, little recognition and almost no expectation of winning.

The original roster was not the collection of established professionals that would represent the organization in later years. It was an underdog group entering a new tournament because its organizers believed in the concept and wanted the opportunity to compete.

The first experience was painful. Eberlein Drive entered the 2014 bracket as a No. 29 seed and was defeated by Big Apple Basketball 113-71. Instead of treating the lopsided loss as the end of an entertaining experiment, Hirschmann and Mitchell committed themselves to returning.

That decision eventually became the defining characteristic of the organization. Eberlein Drive did not begin with a famous alumni base, major financial backing or an established professional roster. It survived because its organizers continued rebuilding it every summer.

The Complete TBT History

2014: A Humble Beginning

Eberlein Drive’s inaugural appearance ended with the 113-71 loss to Big Apple Basketball. The team finished 0-1, but simply participating in the first TBT placed the organization at the beginning of a tournament that would eventually become one of the most recognizable events on the summer basketball calendar.

2015: A Stronger Roster, but Another Early Exit

Eberlein Drive returned with greater ambition in 2015. The organization received sponsorship from DraftKings and added notable professional players such as Von Wafer and Renaldo Balkman.

The team earned a first-round bye through TBT’s fan-voting system but was eliminated by the Sconnie Legends 101-95 in its opening game. Although the result was another first-game defeat, the improved roster demonstrated that Hirschmann and Mitchell were beginning to establish recruiting connections within professional basketball.

2016: Still Searching for the First Victory

In 2016, Eberlein Drive entered the Midwest Regional as a No. 12 seed. Justin Dentmon scored 32 points, but the team fell to Pedro’s Posse 99-89.

After three tournament appearances, Eberlein Drive remained winless. Many organizations would have disappeared at that point. Hirschmann and Mitchell instead looked for a different approach.

2017: The Stickmen Era

The organization temporarily changed identities in 2017 through a partnership with actor, comedian and basketball personality Michael Rapaport. Eberlein Drive became The Stickmen for one tournament.

The roster included former NBA players Lou Amundson and Donald Sloan, along with Joe Alexander and Markel Brown. The new identity immediately produced the organization’s first TBT victory.

The Stickmen overwhelmed Air Force Bomb Squad 105-63, with Amundson scoring 27 points as the team shot approximately 62 percent from the field. The breakthrough ended three years of first-game disappointment and proved the organization could compete at a much higher level.

The Stickmen were eliminated in the second round by Team Challenge ALS 87-73. Team Challenge ALS eventually advanced to the championship game, showing that the organization had lost to one of the tournament’s strongest teams.

The Stickmen name lasted only one season, but the 2017 campaign was an important turning point. The team had finally won, and its organizers had learned how to recruit a roster capable of advancing.

2018: Eberlein Drive Becomes a Championship Contender

The Eberlein Drive name returned in 2018, and so did several members of the previous roster. Jerome Randle, James Michael McAdoo, Amundson and Sloan helped transform the team from an entertaining underdog into a genuine championship threat.

Eberlein Drive entered the West Regional as a No. 7 seed and defeated the Broad Street Brawlers 86-71, Team Colorado 83-76, Gael Force 72-59 and top-seeded Team Challenge ALS 78-67.

In the national semifinals, Eberlein Drive faced Team Fredette, led by former BYU superstar and NBA guard Jimmer Fredette. Eberlein Drive survived Fredette’s late shooting surge and earned an 80-76 victory, advancing to the championship game for the first time.

The run ended with a 70-58 loss to Overseas Elite, which captured its fourth consecutive TBT championship. Nevertheless, Eberlein Drive had gone from winless through its first three tournaments to runner-up in its fifth appearance. Randle and general managers Hirschmann and Mitchell received all-tournament recognition.

2019: Three Close Victories and a Quarterfinal Appearance

Eberlein Drive entered the 2019 tournament as the top seed in the Salt Lake Regional.

The team defeated Team Utah 83-80 after overcoming a seven-point deficit during the Elam Ending. It then edged the L.A. Cheaters 86-84 and Team Challenge ALS 68-67 to win the regional championship.

Eberlein Drive’s run ended in the quarterfinals with a 79-71 loss to Carmen’s Crew, the Ohio State alumni team that went on to win the championship. The season reinforced Eberlein Drive’s reputation as a dangerous and resilient tournament team.

2020: A Tournament Ended by COVID-19

TBT staged a reduced 24-team tournament inside a controlled environment during the COVID-19 pandemic. Eberlein Drive was awarded the No. 5 seed but withdrew before its scheduled game against Brotherly Love after a player tested positive.

The organization officially finished without playing a game. It was the only edition in which Eberlein Drive entered but did not take the court.

2021: An Explosive Return

Eberlein Drive returned as the No. 1 seed in the Wichita Regional in 2021.

The team defeated the NG Saints 86-68 and dominated the Stillwater Stars 119-67. The 52-point victory was one of the most decisive performances in franchise history.

Eberlein Drive was eliminated in the regional semifinal by Florida TNT 74-67, completing a 2-1 tournament.

2022: A One-Point Heartbreak

Eberlein Drive received the No. 2 seed in the Wichita Regional but was stunned by Bleed Green, the North Texas alumni team, 79-78 in the opening round.

The one-point defeat was the organization’s first opening-round exit since 2016 and reinforced the unforgiving nature of TBT’s single-elimination format.

2023: A Second Consecutive Early Departure

The organization entered the 2023 Louisville Regional as a No. 3 seed but suffered an 88-68 loss to the Jackson TN Underdawgs.

After years of contending, Eberlein Drive had lost its opening game in consecutive tournaments. Questions naturally developed about whether the organization’s best opportunity had already passed.

The response over the next three summers would define its legacy.

2024: Eberlein Drive Returns to the National Semifinals

Eberlein Drive rebuilt its roster and entered the 2024 Butler Regional as the No. 6 seed.

The team defeated Team Arkansas 79-76 in overtime, All Good Dawgs 88-73 and Assembly Ball 82-79 in another overtime thriller. Eberlein Drive then defeated the Happy Valley Hoopers 85-71 in the quarterfinals to reach the national semifinals for the first time since 2018.

Its championship hopes ended with a 76-73 overtime loss to Forever Coogs. Tyler Stone was named to the TBT All-Tournament Team, while Jordan Surenkamp received recognition for his work as head coach.

Although the loss was difficult, the four-win run demonstrated that Eberlein Drive had once again become one of the tournament’s elite organizations.

2025: A Second Trip to the Championship Game

Eberlein Drive carried its momentum into the 2025 tournament as the No. 2 seed in the Lexington Regional.

The team defeated Richards Elite 81-63 and Tampa Florida Pickup Basketball 86-68 before facing La Familia, Kentucky’s alumni team, inside Historic Memorial Coliseum.

Eberlein Drive survived a dramatic finish when Anthony Clemmons hit the game-winning three-pointer to reach the target score and secure a 71-70 victory. The shot came after Eberlein Drive collected multiple offensive rebounds during the decisive possession.

The team then defeated perennial contender Sideline Cancer 88-75 in the quarterfinals. In the semifinals, Eberlein Drive beat Best Virginia 85-77, with Gabe York scoring all eight of his team’s points during the Elam Ending.

That victory sent Eberlein Drive to the championship game for the second time. Once again, however, the organization finished one victory short. The AfterShocks defeated Eberlein Drive 82-67 to capture the 2025 title.

York was named to the all-tournament team, while Hirschmann and Mitchell again received recognition for constructing a championship-caliber roster. Through the end of the 2025 tournament, the organization owned a 20-11 TBT record.

2026: Eberlein Drive Becomes Davis Steel

The partnership with Davis Sports Corp. introduced a new name, new branding and additional organizational support. It did not erase the Eberlein Drive history. Davis Steel was the next stage of the same organization and the continuation of Hirschmann and Mitchell’s championship pursuit.

Davis Steel opened the 2026 tournament in Las Vegas with a 79-76 victory over the Gotham City Bockers. Terrell Brown hit the winning shot, while York led the team with 21 points.

The team followed with an 86-59 victory over Knueppel Crew to advance from group play. Davis Steel then defeated Red Rose War Ready 83-67 in the knockout round.

In the non-alumni championship game, Davis Steel trailed The Mecca late but closed the contest with a 7-0 run. Brown’s three-pointer completed the comeback and gave Davis Steel a 71-69 victory, sending the organization to its third TBT championship game.

Waiting in Lexington was La Familia, the same organization Eberlein Drive had eliminated by one point in 2025.

This time, Davis Steel did not need a last-second comeback.

York and Clemmons hit early three-pointers as Davis Steel raced to a 12-2 lead. Terry Taylor scored nine first-quarter points, helping his team build a 17-9 advantage. Davis Steel led throughout the afternoon and carried a 32-26 advantage into halftime.

When La Familia reduced the deficit to four early in the third quarter, three-pointers from Rodman and York sparked a 14-3 Davis Steel run. La Familia made one final push during the Elam Ending, but Brown scored the championship-winning basket to complete the 67-59 victory.

Taylor delivered 24 points and seven rebounds, the third-highest scoring performance in a TBT championship game at the time. York recorded 11 points, seven rebounds, four assists and four steals and was named tournament MVP. Clemmons contributed seven points and four assists.

Davis Steel outrebounded La Familia 48-37, collected 20 offensive rebounds and produced a 23-10 advantage in second-chance points. The organization completed its championship run with five consecutive victories and improved its all-time on-court TBT record to 25-11.

Davis Steel’s Three Greatest Victories Before the Championship

Ranking the organization’s greatest wins requires considering the opponent, the stakes and the effect each result had on the team’s history.

1. Eberlein Drive 80, Team Fredette 76 — 2018 Semifinal

This was the victory that permanently changed Eberlein Drive’s reputation.

Team Fredette featured Jimmer Fredette, who was the tournament’s leading scorer and one of the biggest attractions in TBT. Eberlein Drive withstood multiple second-half runs and defeated Fredette’s team 80-76.

The victory sent Eberlein Drive to its first championship game and proved the organization belonged among the tournament’s elite. Everything that followed—the later semifinal appearances, the second championship-game trip and the eventual Davis Steel title—was built on the credibility established that night.

2. Eberlein Drive 71, La Familia 70 — 2025 Lexington Regional

The 2025 victory over La Familia was arguably the organization’s most dramatic win.

Eberlein Drive was playing against a Kentucky alumni roster inside a building filled with Kentucky supporters. La Familia erased an eight-point deficit and moved within one point of the target score.

Eberlein Drive remained composed. After extending its final possession through offensive rebounding, Clemmons hit the tournament-ending three-pointer for a 71-70 victory.

The result propelled Eberlein Drive toward its second championship-game appearance. It also created the rivalry that became central to the 2026 final, when the same organization—now known as Davis Steel—again defeated La Familia in Lexington.

3. Davis Steel 71, The Mecca 69 — 2026 Non-Alumni Championship

Davis Steel could not win the $2 million championship without first escaping its Las Vegas bracket.

The Mecca controlled portions of the game and was positioned to end Davis Steel’s undefeated run. With its season in danger, Davis Steel scored the game’s final seven points. Brown delivered the decisive three-pointer, completing a 71-69 comeback.

The victory earned Davis Steel the non-alumni championship, secured the organization’s third appearance in the TBT final and provided the opportunity to complete its 13-edition pursuit of the trophy.

Conclusion

Davis Steel’s championship story is not a traditional tale of immediate success.

The organization began as a lightly regarded team named after a dead-end street in suburban Michigan. It lost its first three tournament games, changed its name to The Stickmen for one summer and endured early exits, overtime heartbreaks, a pandemic-related withdrawal and two championship-game defeats.

What never changed was the determination of Hirschmann and Mitchell.

They continued recruiting, rebuilding and returning. They transformed an amateur underdog into a destination for accomplished professional players. They survived the disappointment of losing the 2018 final, responded to consecutive first-round eliminations in 2022 and 2023, returned to the semifinals in 2024 and advanced to another final in 2025.

The partnership with Davis Steel provided a new identity, but the championship belonged to everyone who had been part of the journey—from the original Eberlein Drive roster to The Stickmen, the great 2018 team, the 2024 and 2025 contenders and the players who finally completed the mission in 2026.

Davis Steel’s 67-59 victory over La Familia did more than secure a $2 million prize. It validated 13 tournament editions of persistence.

A journey that began on a cul-de-sac finally ended on championship center court.