The College Basketball Crown returns to Las Vegas this week with a reduced eight-team field but a significantly larger NIL prize pool of $500,000. The tournament, featuring teams from the Big 12, Big Ten, ACC, SEC, and Big East, offers a postseason stage for programs that missed the NCAA Tournament.
Baylor guard Cameron Carr, a projected first-round NBA draft pick, headlines a group of prospects to watch. The sophomore averaged 19.2 points and shot 39.4 percent from 3-point range for the 16-16 Bears. Freshman Tounde Yessoufou, the all-time leading scorer in California high school history, averaged 17.8 points. Baylor also features 7-footer James Nnaji, a 2023 NBA draft pick who gained NCAA eligibility after not signing a contract.
Stanford freshman Ebuka Okorie, averaging 22.8 points per game (eighth nationally), is another prospect drawing attention. Oklahoma, the first team out of the NCAA Tournament, arrives after a roller-coaster season that included a nine-game losing streak and a six-game winning streak. The Sooners (19-15) declined an NIT bid to play in the Crown. Coach Porter Moser, whose job security has been questioned, received a vote of confidence from athletic director Roger Denny, who acknowledged the program needs more resources.
Creighton coach Greg McDermott will end his career in Las Vegas after announcing his retirement. He led the Bluejays to 10 NCAA Tournament appearances in 16 seasons. McDermott hopes to replicate Nebraska’s success from last year, when the Cornhuskers won the Crown and then reached the Sweet 16 this season.
Rutgers freshman forward Chris Nwuli, a Bishop Gorman alum, returns to Las Vegas after posting six points and four rebounds in a November win over UNLV. He missed the Big Ten tournament with an ankle injury but is expected to play. Creighton guard Shane Thomas, a Las Vegas native and grandson of Pro Football Hall of Famer Emmitt Thomas, is also in the field.
Quarterfinals begin Wednesday at MGM Grand Garden Arena, with Oklahoma facing Colorado and Baylor meeting Minnesota. Semifinals and finals shift to T-Mobile Arena on Saturday and Sunday, broadcast on Fox and FS1.
