Red Scare adds former NBA player to TBT roster

“We are pumped to have Kosta,” Red Scare coach Joey Gruden said. “A true big that gives us a different dynamic to our team. Obviously, he is talented and brings a ton of skill to our team, but I am also excited about his experiences and knowledge that he will bring as well. An NBA vet who can really help us out on and off the court. He is also excited to represent Ohio and play with a bunch of competitive teammates.”

Koufos, who attended GlenOak High School in Canton, averaged 14.4 points in one season (2007-08) with the Ohio State Buckeyes and then entered the NBA. The Utah Jazz selected him with the 23rd overall pick in the 2008 draft.

Koufos played for five teams in an NBA career that stretched from 2008-2019, averaging 5.7 points in his career. He has played in Russia and Greece and in the NBA G League in recent seasons.

Koufos played for Ohio State’s TBT alumni team, Carmen’s Crew, last year in Columbus and ranked second on the team with 13.3 points per game in three games. Jared Sullinger, of Carmen’s Crew, announced last week the team won’t compete in the tournament this year.

TBT regional games will be held at UD Arena from July 24-27, and there will be three quarterfinal games July 29-30, two semifinals July 31 and the championship game Aug. 2 at the arena. Tickets are available on Ticketmaster.com.

With Koufos joining the Red Scare roster, the team has seven former Flyers and two non-Flyers. The dates listed are the years the players were at Dayton.

Vee Sanford, 6-4 guard (2012-14): He ranks 83rd in school history with 735 points. This will be his first appearance with the Red Scare since 2019.

Jordan Sibert, 6-4 guard (2013-15): Sibert ranks 46th in Dayton history with 1,030 points.

Scoochie Smith, 6-2 guard (2013-17): He ranks 28th with 1,289 points and ninth with 485 assists.

Darrell Davis, 6-4 guard (2014-18): He ranks 51st with 1,008 points. He played for Dayton from 2014-18. He’s the only member of the team who has played on each of the first three Red Scare teams.

Josh Cunningham, 6-8 forward (2015-19): He ranks 55th in school history in scoring.

Ryan Mikesell, 6-7 forward (2015-20): The St. Henry grad ranks 70th with 847 points.

Trey Landers, 6-5 guard (2016-20): The Wayne grad ranks 57th with 946 points. Like Mikesell, this will the third time he has played for the Red Scare.

Joe Thomasson, 6-4 guard: The Thurgood Marshall graduate played at Wright State from 2014-16 and scored 617 points. He averaged 11.6 points per game last season in Spain.

Kosta Koufos, 7-0 center: He is the third former Buckeye to play for the Red Scare. Trevor Thompson and C.J. Walker played for the team last year, and Thompson also played for the team in 2020.