Jared Sullinger, Greg Oden join Team Scarlet and Gray for The Basketball Tournament

In May, it was announced that most of last year’s Team Scarlet and Gray would reunite to make another run at the $2 million prize in The Basketball Tournament. Today, we learned that they will be getting some big help in the form of two former All-Americans, Jared Sullinger and Greg Oden.

Sullinger was a member of last year’s team that fell in double-overtime of their semifinal matchup. The former Boston Celtic and Toronto Raptor earned All-Tournament honors for his efforts, and former No. 1 overall pick Greg Oden was originally scheduled to play on the team, but had to bow out.

Since last year’s tournament, Sullinger has been playing for the Shenzhen Leopards in the Chinese Basketball Association, where he put up a pretty impressive 30.1 points and 16.6 rebounds per game.

Team Scarlet and Gray’s head coach Scoonie Penn said, “Jared is finally healthy and showing the world what he’s capable of on the court.”

There was some concern last month that Sullinger’s upcoming nuptials would keep the Buckeye from suiting up with his former teammates this summer, but it appears that he’s been able to make the schedule work, and will be back in Scarlet and Gray once more.

Oden last played professional basketball for the Jiangsu Dragons in China, where he averaged a double-double. He spent last season back on the sidelines at Ohio State where he served as a student manager under Chris Holtmann.

Sullinger and Oden will be joined on Team Scarlet and Gray by former Buckeyes Aaron Craft, David Lighty, Jon Diebler, Byron Mullens, and William Buford. As he did last year, former Buckeye and current Portland Trailblazer Evan Turner will serve as an assistant coach.

Also on the team will be Eastmoor Academy and Northern Illinois alum Leon Rodgers and former Penn Stater Talor Battle.

In addition to Team Scarlet and Gray, recent Buckeye grads Andrew Dakich, Jae’Sean Tate, and Kam Williams will suit up for team Big X, comprised of players from Big Ten teams OSU, Michigan, and Illinois.

Both Team Scarlet and Gray and Big X will kick off their tournament in Columbus at Capital University on Saturday, July 21. No. 4 Big X will face No. 13 Chattanooga Trenches at 10:00 a.m., the game will be broadcast on ESPN3, and top-seeded Team Scarlet and Gray will face the winner of the game between the No. 16 West Virginia Wildcats and No. 17 Charlotte Chess Center. You can watch that matchup on ESPN at 4:00 p.m.