Despite the Hoop Group’s Jam Fest in Morgantown having fewer teams than years past, Team Takeover coach Tilman Dunbar Jr. isn’t bothered by the smaller competition.
Dunbar previously coached at Jam Fest with his older son’s, Tilman III, team. He coached them at the 15-under, 16-under and 17-under level. Tilman Dunbar III just graduated high school this past spring.
This time around the elder Dunbar is coaching his younger son’s, Eric, team at the 15-under level.
The reason Dunbar continues to bring his Washington D.C.-based team to the University City for the showcase tournament is the friendly people in the University City.
“Every year the hospitality has gotten better,” Dunbar said. “It’s just old-fashioned hospitality, it’s what America is all about. You come (to Morgantown) and people are nicer.”
According to Dunbar, none of his former players are on the radar of the WVU’s coaching staff, but he has had a lot of success coaching Division I players in the past.
“Seven out of the ten kids I coached last year got D-I scholarships,” said Dunbar. “Three of them are going to prep school because of their grades, but they would’ve been D-I players too.”
Team Takeover is one of the favorites to win this year’s 15-under bracket.
Below are interviews with Tilman Dunbar Jr. and Eric Dunbar: