MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — WVU-Tech head coach James Long will lead the WVU alumni squad Best Virginia in this summer’s version of The Basketball Tournament.
“I am beyond excited to be a part of Best Virginia,” Long said. “The experience in Richmond was something that brought a lot of excitement to Mountaineer Nation. We have all the pieces to compete for the TBT. I’m thankful for the opportunity to be a part of this team.”
Long just concluded his second season leading the Golden Bears. WVU-Tech went 13-7 this winter, winning the River States Conference title and advancing to the second round of the NAIA national tournament. Long is a Charleston native and a former WVU guard.
? NEWS ?@WVUTechMBB head coach @CoachJamesLong has joined BEST VIRGINIA as our head coach for 2021!
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— Final Fourcast Podcast + BEST VIRGINIA (@finalfourcast) April 8, 2021
WVU All-American and Wheeling University assistant coach Da’Sean Butler and Morgantown High School head coach Dave Tallman will serve as assistant coaches for Best Virginia. Tallman has been the head coach of the Mohigans since 2014. MHS completed an undefeated run to the Class AAA state title in 2016. Butler, a member of the WVU Sports Hall of Fame, played for Best Virginia in the 2019 TBT, when they advanced to the second round.
Dates and locations for the 2021 TBT are expected to be revealed soon. Nathan Adrian, Kevin Jones, John Flowers and Devin Ebanks are among the former Mountaineers to commit to play for Best Virginia this summer.