04/16/2026
Greetings Military Hoop Fans!
All Eyes now turn to the upcoming 2026 Armed Forces Men’s & Women’s Basketball Championships being hosted by the U.S. Marine Corps at Camp Pendleton, CA May 11-18.
All-Service Trial Camps will be opening up next week all across the nation but became official today with the release of the FINAL official Tournament Schedule.
This year we introduce a brand new tournament format: Single Round Robin for seeding straight to Single Elimination to crown the champion. A very interesting concept with the razor thin parity on the men’s side. In this particular format this tournament is LITERALLY up for grabs! Once you reach single elimination if your team comes out flat or have an off shooting night it’s CURTAINS and over for your squad just like that!
The Navy led by the armed forces tenured Coaches Micah Bonner and Rodnic Ward look to repeat their success from 2024 and claim their second consecutive Gold Medal.
However, the other three branches are hot on their heels with the host Marines led by coaches Brandon Mitchell and Willie Nathan are looking for some redemption after a disappointing 2024 showing following their 2023 Gold Medal finish.
Second year coaches Ray Darnell and Paris Daniel have the Air Force primed and ready to improve on their 2024 Silver Medal finish and this new format may swing odds in their favor with the current schedule setup. Air Force is now the longest tenured program not to win a gold medal in men’s hoops since 2014.
Last but certainly not least is the Army. The Army will have a totally revamped coaching staff but will always be LOADED with talent for these reasons, I believe Army will be this year’s “Wildcard”, meaning which version will we all see this year.
While on the women’s side, the last few years it’s been a two horse race between Air Force and Army. However, this year the Air Force women are looking to Three-Peat!
I’m pretty sure the Army will have a lot to say about that but don’t look now a new and improved power may be emerging within the ranks in the form of the USMC women.
These ladies have been competing together all season long and will definitely have home court advantage. The “Wildcard” on the women’s side will be no doubt the Navy. The Navy women have fallen on hard times as of late but are looking for a strong return in ‘26!
Who you got taking Gold in 2026!?!?
National Military Basketball Tournament Director
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