Wikipedia - Heartfire (TBT)

Heartfire (formerly known as Team 23) is an American basketball team that competes in The Basketball Tournament (TBT), an annual winner-take-all competition. The team has competed in each tournament since 2015, except for 2020. The team is composed of players from Arizona. As of 2025, the team's general manager is Valparaiso alumnus Homer Drew, and the head coach is LaPhonso Ellis.

History

The team was originally named after Michael Jordan's primary uniform number during his professional career—Team 23's general manager Michael Illiano wrote that his "basketball passion started with MJ".

2015

After being accepted into TBT 2015 with 165 registered fans, Team 23 opened its tournament run by defeating the West Coast Ronin, 91–67. The team notched another win in the second round, against Richard Roby and Team Colorado, behind 28 points from Davin White, by a score of 78–72. White was effective once more as Team 23 bested Team B-Ball Breakdown in the following game, 86–72, pushing them to the Super 17 round in Chicago.

At the Super 17, Team 23 defeated 7outz, 105–64, in their first game, allowing only two of their opponents' players to score over 10 points. Team 23 made the semifinal round of the tournament after they won their fifth straight game by double figures. The losing team, LA Unified, missed one of their players, Ekene Ibekwe, and allowed Team 23 to score 11 straight points to begin the second half, en route to a 77–56 win.

Team 23 entered the semifinals as the most efficient team of the tournament. In New York City on August 1, they defeated Ants Alumni, 87–76, to advance to the championship game. In the finals on August 2, Team 23 narrowly fell to Overseas Elite, 67–65.

Games

Date Round Location Score Opponent Ref.
Team Seed
July 10 Regional Los Angeles, CA 91–67 West Coast Ronin West No. 19
July 11 78–72 Team Colorado West No. 4
July 12 86–72 Team B-Ball Breakdown West No. 11
July 17 Super 17 Chicago, IL 105–64 7outz West No. 9
July 23 Quarterfinals 77–56 LA Unified West No. 2
August 1 Semifinals New York, NY 87–76 Ants Alumni Midwest No. 2
August 2 Finals 65–67 Overseas Elite South No. 3

Roster

Source:

2016–2019

In TBT 2016, Team 23 was the top seed in the West Region, played in Los Angeles. After winning their first two games, they fell to Team Colorado, the eventual tournament runner-up, by a score of 78–73.

Games

Date Round Location Score Opponent Ref.
Team Seed
July 9 Regional Los Angeles, CA 121–81 Kimchi Express West No.
July 10 101–88 New Mexico RH West No.
July 11 73–78 Team Colorado West No. 5

In TBT 2017, Team 23 was the fifth seed in the West Region, played in Las Vegas. They defeated 12th-seeded Pedro's Posse, 107–92, then lost to fourth-seeded Armored Athlete, 84–77.

Games

Date Round Location Score Opponent Ref.
Team Seed
July 8 Regional Las Vegas, NV 107–92 Pedro's Posse West No. 12
July 9 77–84 Armored Athlete West No. 4

In TBT 2018, Team 23 was the eighth seed in the West Region, played in Los Angeles. They lost in the first round to the ninth-seeded CitiTeam Blazers, 82–71.

Games

Date Round Location Score Opponent Ref.
Team Seed
July 14 Regional Los Angeles, CA 71–82 CitiTeam Blazers West No. 9

Roster

Source:

In TBT 2019, Team 23 was the sixth seed in the Greensboro Regional. They lost in the first round to third-seeded Power of the Paw (Clemson alumni), 82–78.

Games

Date Round Location Score Opponent Ref.
Team Seed
July 19 Regional Los Angeles, CA 78–82 Power of the Paw Greensboro No. 3

The team did not compete in the reduced-size (24 teams) TBT 2020.

2021

In TBT 2021, Team 23 was seeded sixth in the West Virginia Regional. They defeated Georgia Kingz in the first round, 91–64, Herd That in the second round, 74–71, and second-seeded Best Virginia in the regional semifinals, 75–67.

Team 23 next faced top-seeded Sideline Cancer in the regional final, registering a 78–71 win. Team 23 then met Blue Collar U—who advanced from the Columbus Regional—in a tournament semifinal game on August 1; Team 23 won, 78–62.

Team 23 met Boeheim's Army—who advanced from the Illinois Regional—in the championship game on August 78th; the game was won by Boeheim's Army, 69–67.

Games

Date Round Location Score Opponent Ref.
Team Seed
July 17 First round Charleston, WV 91–64 Georgia Kingz West Virginia No. 11
July 19 Second round 74–71 Herd That West Virginia No. 3
July 21 Regional semifinals 75–67 Best Virginia West Virginia No. 2
July 31 Regional finals Dayton, OH 78–71 Sideline Cancer West Virginia No. 1
August 1 Semifinals 78–62 Blue Collar U Ohio No. 6
August 3 Championship 67–69 Boeheim's Army Illinois No. 3

Roster

Source:

2022

In TBT 2022, The newly branded Heartfire was the first seed in the New Mexico regional. In the first round, they played Competitive Choice and won 84-75. In the 2nd round they played The Enchantment, (New Mexico alumni team) and won 79-74. In the third round, they played the LA Cheaters from the Drew League and won 86-72. In the fourth round, they played Blue Collar U (Buffalo alumni team) and lost 74-66

Games

Date Round Location Score Opponent Ref.
Team Seed
July 18 First round Albuquerque, NM 84–75 Competitive Choice New Mexico No. 8
July 19 Second round 79–74 The Enchantment New Mexico No. 4
July 21 Third round 86–72 LA Cheaters New Mexico No. 3
July 29 Quarterfinals Dayton, OH 66–74 Blue Collar U Syracuse No. 2

2023

TBT 2023, Heartfire was the second seed in the Witchita 1 regional. In their first matchup they played Juco Products, (junior college alumni) and won 69-66. In their second matchup they played the LA Cheaters, (from the Drew league) and won 62-57. In their third matchup they played Mass Street, (Kansas alumni) and won 73-60. In their fourth matchup they played the Aftershocks, (Wichita State alumni) and won 76-53. In the semi-finals they played Herd That, (Marshall alumni) and won 73-68. In the Championship, they played Bleed Green, (North Texas alumni) and won 78-73.

Games

Date Round Location Score Opponent Ref.
Team Seed
July 19 First round Wichita, KS 69–66 JUCO Products Wichita 1 No. 7
July 22 Second round 62–57 LA Cheaters Wichita 1 No. 3
July 23 Third round 73–60 Mass Street Wichita 1 No. 1
July 25 Quarterfinals 76–53 Aftershocks Wichita 2 No. 1
August 2 Semifinals Philadelphia, PA 73–68 Herd That West Virginia No. 4
August 3 Championship 78–73 Bleed Green Lubbock No. 2

Roster

Source:

2024

Games

Date Round Location Score Opponent Ref.
Team Seed
July 20 First round Dayton, OH 68–64 Rise and Grind Dayton No. 8
July 22 Second round 70–68 We Are D3 Dayton No. 4
July 24 Third round 70–74 Carmen's Crew Dayton No. 3

Roster

Source:

2025

Games

Date Round Location Score Opponent Ref.
Team Seed
July 20 Second round Kansas City, MO 89-70 Sheffield Sharks Kansas City No. 4
July 22 Third round (Kansas City Regional Championship) 71–68 JHX Hoops Kansas City No. 2
July 27 Quarterfinals Wichita, KS 68–74 Aftershocks Wichita No. 2

Roster

Source:

Team 23 is a dynamic and passionate basketball team known for their relentless energy, teamwork, and competitive spirit. Named after their iconic jersey number, the team embodies dedication, skill, and a love for the game. With a roster of talented players and a commitment to excellence, Team 23 strives to dominate the court through strategic plays, exceptional athleticism, and unwavering teamwork. Whether competing in local leagues or showcasing their talents in tournaments, Team 23 is driven by a shared goal to succeed and inspire fans with their exciting style of play.