2025 Las Vegas National Tournament Preview | A New Era has Begun
The 2025 tournament season kicks off this weekend in Las Vegas. A new era has begun as 13-time National Champion Ball So Hard has hung them up after a storied 10-year run. CTE looks like the heavy favorite for 2025 but do they have enough to finally bring it all home this year?
Ultimate Hoops National Manager Donald Dangmuk gives his annual predictions on the tournament.
1. CTE (MD): +250
There is not a team hungrier for a National Title than CTE after losing in both championship games last year in Vegas and New York. Yes they won the 35+ tournament last October, but we all know this is the one they want. Hopefully the momentum from the 35+ tournament will carry over to 2025 but a lot can happen in a year as teams reload. Captain Kenny Zeigler has loaded the roster with a deep 13-man NBA type roster so depth will definitely not be an issue this year. Will this team be the start of a new dynasty in Ultimate Hoops or are they just pretenders? They are definitely the team to beat in this year’s tournament.
2. Strive Above Others (CA): +500
This is the biggest wild card team in the tournament. They are either going to win the entire thing or get bounced in the first round pending if Kent Bazemore makes the trip. Having a former NBA player still in his late 30s on the roster is still better than having the best Life Time basketball player in his prime. It’s like having a cheat code in NBA2K. Keenan Prince and Marcus Kirkland can fill it up, but I think they are going to need Baze in uniform if they want to bring this one home.
3. The North (AZ): +800
Homer pick! Honestly I don’t know most of the names submitted to me this week so I’m going with my hometown North Boys who I am kind of familiar with. I may lose some credibility putting them third in the rankings. We obviously know Arizona boys can hoop with Ball So Hard dominating for the past decade haha. Half the squad here played on the early 2010s ASU basketball team together, so we know the chemistry is there. Former NBA forward Carrick Felix is the wild card here, if he makes the trip, I can see this team making another run on Sunday.
4. Da Guys (MO): +1000
Tommy and Beau already giving me heat for picking them 4th I can feel it. But hey after CTE, I think the field is wide open this year and any team can win. They had CTE down nearly 20 I think in New York last year, so I think this team is due for a breakout in 2025. Guard Jordan Anderson makes a big difference for this team as they were an entirely different team in NY than the team we saw in Vegas last year.
5. Impact (CO): +1100
Impact is back again for their 2353rd national tournament. Beau Barney and this squad are the definition of Never Retire. I know I probably just made them sound like they are all 55 years old, but in reality these guys can play. There are some new names on the roster so would not be surprised one bit if they are a final 4 team on Sunday.
6. Hidden Empire (CA): +1300
Herman and Jose have not said one word to me about this team so either they are really terrible or they are holding out information from me? I look forward to coming to this tournament every year just to hear Herman Johnson tell me how great they are going to be and that this is their year. Fun fact did you know captain Jose Zaragoza was the Sports Visio player of the year in 2024? He’s kind of a big deal. Speaking of big deals, John Pichon is a big deal and has the 4th highest field goal percentage in UH history and arguably one of the best bigs in the tournament.
7. Boca Bombers (FL): +1500
Up until Sunday I wasn’t even sure if they were going to even show up. Captain Casey Cummings pulled it together last minute and was able to round up some players for the tournament. How talented will they be this year? That’s another question and something we will find out this weekend. In the past they have always been tough and typically a final 4 team but with the last-minute additions it makes me nervous to put them in the top 6 this year.
8. R&D Ballers (NC): +1700
They went 0-3 last year in Vegas so getting 10 more guys to fly back across the country from North Carolina is a win in my book. I will always be appreciate any team willing to fly across the country for this tournament so thank you captain Eric Wrigh for making this happen. I do remember they had some pretty talented players and even played Ball So Hard pretty tough last year but eventually ran out of gas. Hopefully with the 10 deep roster this year they will be able to make some noise in this year’s tournament.
9. Hot to Trot (CA): +1900
Another team that went 0-3 last year in Vegas is back for another run with a 10 deep roster. They were a last-minute replacement team as TWTDS was not able to make the trip from NY. Obviously, the big name here is star NFL wide receiver Keenan Allen but chances of him suiting up sounds slim at the moment. Excited to see what captain Kevin El Basri has in store for this year’s team.
10. Loh Bros (TN): +2000
The team is named after the late legendary Hong Kong Diesel captain Aaron Lohman. How could you not pull for a team that comes together to play for a fallen friend? I wish I didn’t have to put them last but unfortunately, I do not know any of the players on the roster to put them any higher. However, they are the first team to ever represent Nashville so looking forward to seeing you all play for the first time. Hope you guys shock the world as I’m always a sucker for underdog stories!
Calendar of Events
Thursday Night:
Ultimate Hoops will have a VIP table set up at Hakassan night club for those early arrivers to kick off the weekend with Loud Luxury starting at 10:30pm. Free VIP admission for all players, family and friends. Must show Ultimate Hoops Instagram flyer at the door for entry.
Friday Night:
National Tournament Welcome Party at the Green Valley Pool Deck starting at 6:00pm. Complimentary food will be served to all players, friends and family! All tournament gear will be ready for pickup at this event.
We will also have a VIP table set up for Hakassan night club with special guest Alok starting at 10:30pm. Free VIP admission for all players, family and friends by showing Ultimate Hoops Instagram flyer at the door.
Saturday:
Games kick off at 8:00am and last game starting at 5:00pm
We will host another VIP party at Marquee nightclub hosted by DJ Pauly D from Jersey Shore starting at 10:30pm. Free VIP admission for all players, family and friends by showing Ultimate Hoops Instagram flyer at the door.
Sunday:
Single elimination rounds begin. All teams advance to Sunday with play in games starting at 8:00am and championship game starting at 4:15pm.
Tournament wrap up party TBD.