LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Former University of Louisville star and bourbon entrepreneur Russ Smith has acquired the rights to Louisville’s alumni team, "The Ville," for the 2026 edition of The Basketball Tournament.
Smith said he has assembled a leadership group to finance, manage and coach the team as it prepares for a fourth summer appearance in TBT, the annual winner-take-all event featuring former college stars and professional players from around the world.
Tournament officials have not yet announced details for this year’s event, but Smith said the group was determined to continue the program’s connection to Louisville basketball fans.
"We have such a special relationship with our fans as former players at Louisville," Smith said in a release. "It is imperative we continue to build on that legacy and give Cards fans another way to engage and support guys that played here."
Smith said the roster will remain entirely made up of Louisville alumni. While past teams were built largely around members of Louisville’s 2013 national championship squad, he said future rosters could include former Cardinals from multiple eras of the program — including more recent teams.
Smith will serve as the team’s general manager while also playing on the roster.
The team will be coached by Michael Baffour, who played at Louisville alongside Smith and currently serves as head coach at North Hardin High School.
Former Cardinal Wayne Blackshear will serve as assistant general manager. Additional coaches and staff members are expected to be announced in June.
Game dates for the July tournament are expected to be announced soon, and Smith said a full roster could be unveiled as early as next week.
The organization is also seeking sponsors for the upcoming season. According to the release, TBT games are televised nationally on Fox and Fox Sports platforms.
"We are going to have fun, create unique fan activations and experiences, and most importantly continue to build on the demand for high-level professional sports in Louisville," Smith said. "We want to pack the house and welcome back all of our guys."
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