Go Joe Bruin
Fansided

UCLA Basketball: Former Bruins join Sons of Westwood in ‘The Tournament’

By Mike Regalado

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 09: Jordan Adams #3 of the UCLA Bruins celebrates after his three point basket ied the score with 2:14 left in the game against the Arizona Wildcats at Pauley Pavilion on January 9, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. Arizona won 79-75. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 09: Jordan Adams #3 of the UCLA Bruins celebrates after his three point basket ied the score with 2:14 left in the game against the Arizona Wildcats at Pauley Pavilion on January 9, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. Arizona won 79-75. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Go Joe Bruin had the pleasure of interviewing Grant Kitani, General Manager for the ‘Sons of Westwood’, a team composed of former UCLA basketball players that are competing in ‘The Tournament’.

Are you ready for UCLA basketball this summer? That is right Bruins’ fans, despite the fact that the 2018-19 season is six months away, there will be Bruin Hoops taking place in Los Angeles this summer.

RELATED: The 10 Best Games of the Steve Alford Era

Several former Bruins will be competing in ‘The Tournament’, “the highest stakes basketball tournament in the world” and Go Joe Bruin had the chance to get more info on this as we interviewed ‘Sons of Westwood’ General Manager, Grant Kitani, who he gives us the lowdown on this event.

Go Joe Bruin: Briefly tell us, what is ‘The Tournament’?

Sons of Westwood: The Tournament is a 72-team, winner take all tournament with a prize of $2 million.

GJB: How did The Tournament originate?

SOW: The Tournament is in its 5th year of existence. It started in Philadelphia with a 32 team event and has grown to a nation-wide tournament with 72 teams and nationally broadcasted on the ESPN family of networks.

GJB: What former UCLA Basketball players are involved?

SOW: Jordan Adams (2012-14), Isaac Hamilton (2013-17), Malcolm Lee (2008-11), Lorenzo Mata-Real (2004-08), Tony Parker (2012-16), Jerrold Smith 2015-17) and Matt Barnes (1998-2002). Head coach is Moose Bailey.

More from Go Joe Bruin

GJB: When and where will The Tournament take place? Will it be broadcasted?

SOW: Location: California State University, Los Angeles. They take place July 13-15. The games on July 15 will dictate the top 4 teams to make it to the Super 16 from the West Region and will play in Atlanta. It will be broadcasted on the ESPN family of networks.

GJB: What other teams will be involved?

SOW: There are alumni teams from Colorado and Arizona State in the West Region. There are two Drew League teams in the West Region. VCU and Ohio State also have alumni teams.

GJB: How can UCLA Basketball fans help out?

SOW: UCLA basketball fans can help out by clicking our team page on twitter and clicking the link to the tournament website (https://www.thetournament. com/teams/sons-westwood-ucla- alumni) where they can find our team to register to be a supporter. The top 200 fans get $200,000 to split among themselves if we win the tournament of the total $2 million prize.

GJB: Where can UCLA fans follow you guys for further information (social media, websites, other)?

SOW: UCLA fans can follow us on our twitter (@SonsWestoodTBT) or the tournament website page (https://www.thetournament. com/teams/sons-westwood-ucla- alumni)

Next: The UCLA Basketball All-Time Team

GJB: How badly are you going to beat other teams?

SOW: Not really focused on that, there’s a lot of tough competition. We are looking forward to playing in Los Angeles in front of our home crowd. It’s going to be exciting to see all of the work we put in to bring the guys together hopefully pay off on the court.