SAN ANGELO, Texas – The Angelo State men's basketball team will be represented for the first time in program history as Demario Mayfield will be playing in The Basketball Tournament (TBT), a $2 million winner-take-all event. Mayfield will also be the only player representing the Lone Star Conference in this year's tournament appearance.
 
The TBT is a 64-team, single elimination tournament that is currently in its seventh campaign that allows former DII players that have finished their college careers and are playing in minor leagues or overseas another chance to be noticed and possibly drafted. Eight teams are selected to compete per region, with games taking place in July and August and air on ESPN. Eight regional winners will advance to the championship week that is currently set for August 6-11 in Dayton, Ohio. All dates and events are subjected to change due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
In 2019, 59 players with NBA participated in TBT, participating in different areas such as being the de facto owner of the team, actually coaching the players, being the GM, or simply being a Booster. Some players even get the chance to sign a deal with NBA teams, as 34 players have in the past. The teams themselves are seeded on how the teams have selected their talent, and on how the teams' chemistry and reliability on each other is. Games also utilize the Elam Ending, which eliminates the game clock at the end of play and sets a Target Score.
 
Supporters can become fans of the team by logging onto thetournament.com, create a fan account and click on #TeamD2 to become a fan and perhaps get a share of the winning prize. Fans can also follow the D2 team on twitter @D2Unheralded or @D2unheraldedTBT.
 
While playing at Angelo State, Mayfield showed his skills and talent as a player, earning multiple awards and nominations throughout the 2014-2015 season under Coach Boones tutelage and experience. Mayfield scored a game high 23 points in four different games against Colorado Mesa, Western Colorado, UT-Permian Basin, and Midwestern State. Mayfield's contribution to the basketball team help lead the team to a historic season as the Rams made it to the third round of the NCAA tournament for the first time in program history and winning most of its games that season. ASU had never won a post season game in the national tournament before, but with Mayfield's leadership, experience, and talent, the Rams earned wins over Texas A&M-Commerce in the quarterfinals and Midwestern State in the semifinals before losing to the top seeded Tarleton State in the last couple seconds by two points, 66-64.
 
Coach Boone had this to say about Mayfield, "We are and always have been extremely proud of Demario and how he has pursued his goals on and off the court. He has represented Angelo State Men's Basketball and the Lone Star Conference very well in 2014. We look forward to watching him play an integral role on his D2 TBT team hopefully walk away a millionaire!"
 
For more information on The Basketball Tournament and Team D2 can be found at this link: TheTournament.com