National Military Basketball Tournament

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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Greetings Military Hoop Fans!

Congratulations to the Fort Sam Houston Rangers capturing their third consecutive National Military Championship here in San Antonio!

Coach Justin Johnson and his Fort Sam Houston Rangers completed the first-ever three peat of the National Military Basketball Tournament. The Rangers are now considered a DYNASTY!

This year’s path to the championship for the Rangers was a relatively easy one with the Rangers not being tested until the semifinals when they faced their red hot cross town rival Lackland Warhawks who entered the game on a six game winning streak of double digit wins. The Warhawks pushed the Rangers to their limits before falling to Fort Sam Houston 97-86.

Following a strong semifinal showing, the Rangers then turned their sights on the JBLE Raptors in a rematch of last year’s championship final.

This time the Rangers seemed to be in total control extending their lead by as much as 12 until the Raptors came roaring back on a barrage of timely shooting and pesky defensive stops down the stretch to regain the lead with less than a minute to play.

The Rangers showed patience in the half court which was supposed to the final possession of the game trailing the Raptors 77-76 with 6.4 seconds remaining swingman Colton Ray sunk a wide open three point basket from the top of the key to lift the Rangers to their third consecutive championship 79-77!

Here are the FINAL National Military Basketball Tournament Rankings for 2026.

1. FSH Rangers (I)
2. JBLE Raptors (WAMAC)
3. Lackland Warhawks (I)
4. JBM-HH Marines (WAMAC)
5. Ramstein Rams (USAFE)
6. Osan Mustangs (PACAF)
7. Georgia National Guard (I)
8. Maxwell Flyers (SEMAC)
9. Ft Hood Phantom Warriors (I)
10. NS Mayport Hurricanes (SEMAC)
11. Hurlburt Field Commandos (I)
12. Luke Thunderbolts (PACWEST)
13. Fort Bliss Knights (PACWEST)
14. Ft Benning Yellowjackets (ACMBC)
15. Nellis Lightning (PACWEST)
16. Peterson SFB Hydro (CUSMBL)
17. Patrick SFB (ACMBC)
18. NSA Bethesda Warriors (WAMAC)
19. MacDill Hurricanes (ACMBC)
20. ANGRC (WAMAC)

National Military Basketball Tournament Director
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Greetings Military Hoop Fans!

The 2026 National Military Basketball Tournament FINAL FOUR is set!

(1) Langley-Eustis Raptors
vs
(4) Myer-Henderson Hall Marines

(2) Lackland Warhawks
vs
(3) Fort Sam Houston Rangers

The winners will square off for 2026 National Military Basketball Championship at 1:30 pm CST.

FINAL SINGLE ELIMINATION BRACKET!!!!’

Greetings Military Hoop Fans!

Here are the Day One Results from the 2026 National Military Basketball Tournament.

Pool A

FSH Rangers defeated Hawaii ELITE 118-77
Georgia National Guard defeated Hawaii ELITE 86-75
FSH Rangers defeated Georgia National Guard 96-79
Ft Hood Phantom Warriors defeated Georgia National Guard 90-70.
JBLE Raptors defeated Hawaii ELITE 124-79.

POOL A Standings (Point Differential Results in Pool ONLY two total games)

*FSH Rangers 2-0 214(PF) 156(PA) 58
*GNG 1-2 165 (PF) 154 (PA) 11
Hawai’i ELITE 0-3 152 (PF) 204 (PA) -52

Pool B

JBLE Raptors defeated Ft Hood Phantom Warriors 115-95.
JBLE Raptors defeated Hawai’i ELITE 124-79.
Ft Hood Phantom Warriors defeated Georgia National Guard 90-70.

POOL B Standings (Point Differential Results based upon two total games played.)

* JBLE Raptors 2-0 239 (PF) 174 (PA) 65
* Fort Hood Phantom Warriors 1-1 185 (PF) 185 (PA) 0

Pool C

JBM-HH Marines defeated Dover AFB 105-71.
Hurlburt Field Commandos defeated Dover AFB 72-66
JBM-HH Marines defeated Hurlburt Field Commandos 80-58.

POOL C Standings (Point Differential Results based upon two total games played.)

*JBM-HH Marines 2-0 185 (PF) 129 (PA) 56
*Hurlburt Field Commandos 1-1 130 (PF) 146 (PA) -16
Dover AFB 0-2 137 (PF) 177 (PA) -40

Pool D

Mayport Hurricanes defeated Osan Mustangs 71-68.
Luke Thunderbolts defeated Mayport Hurricanes 80-77.
Osan Mustangs defeated Luke Thunderbolts 79-72.

POOL C Standings (Point Differential Results based upon two total games played.)

*Osan Mustangs 1-1 147 (PF) 143 (PA) 4
* Mayport Hurricanes 1-1 148 (PF) 148 (PA) 0
Luke Thunderbolts 1-1 152 (PF) 156 (PA) -4

Pool E

Ramstein Rams defeated Fort Lee Mustangs 103-50.
Lackland Warhawks defeated Fort Lee Mustangs 118-82
Lackland Warhawks defeated Ramstein Rams 104-82.

POOL E Standings (Point Differential Results based upon two total games played.)

*Lackland Warhawks 2-0 222 (PF) 164 (PA) 58
*Ramstein Rams 1-1 185 (PF) 168 (PA) 17
Fort Lee Mustangs 0-2 132 (PF) 221 (PA) -89

Pool F

Palo Alto Palominos defeated Maxwell Flyers 92-89.
Fort Bliss Knights defeated Palo Alto Palominos 96-91.
Maxwell Flyers defeated Fort Bliss Knights 84-64.

POOL F Standings (Point Differential Results based upon two total games played.)

*Maxwell Flyers 1-1 173 (PF) 156 (PA) 17
*Palo Alto Palominos 1-1 183 (PF) 185 (PA) -2
Fort Bliss Knights 1-1 160 (PF) 175 (PA) -15

* - Denotes Advances to 12-Team Single Elimination Bracket.

Seeds Top Four Receive First-Round Byes:

(1) Joint Base Langley-Eustis Raptors (2-0)
(2) Lackland Warhawks (2-0)
(3) Fort Sam Houston Rangers (2-0)
(4) Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall Marines (2-0)
(5) Ramstein Rams (1-1)
(6) Maxwell Flyers (1-1)
(7) Georgia National Guard (1-1)
(8) Osan Mustangs (1-1)
(9) Fort Hood Phantom Warriors (1-1)
(10) Mayport Hurricanes (1-1)
(11) Palo Alto Palominos (1-1)
(12) Hurlburt Field Commandos (1-1)

The Military March Madness continues today with single elimination beginning at 3 pm CST. Due to current world events (Iran Conflict) Combat Camera wasn’t available for live-streaming this year. We will try our best to provide FB Live presentations from this page as permitted. However, Most of our participating teams due have their own FB Live capability on their individual Team pages for fans to tune in!

I’d like to take this opportunity to again thank you all for your support of the NMBT and more importantly, MILITARY BASKETBALL!!! This weekend has been an Awesome experience! If you are NOT here in San Antonio, YOU ARE DEFINITELY MISSING OUT!!!!

National Military Basketball Tournament Director
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Greetings Military Hoop Fans!

IT’S TIME!!!!! Military March Madness INVADES SAN ANTONIO NEXT WEEKEND!!!!! 18 of the Best Varsity Basketball Programs are descending into Military USA for a chance to be crowned National Champions!!!!

38 Games in 72 Hours at three locations (METC FC, Warhawk FC and Chaparral FC) with all roads leading to the FINAL FOUR at Lackland AFB!!!!

The Top Dawgs in PACAF the Osan Mustangs will be here!

The Cream of the Crop in USAFE the Ramstein Rams will be here!

The Lone Squad from Hawaii, Hawai’i ELITE will be here!

The number one team and two-time defending National Champion Fort Sam Houston Rangers will be here!

The Kings of the WAMAC and second overall seed the Joint Base Langley-Eustis Raptors will be in the Building!

The back to back SEMAC Champions the Maxwell Flyers will be here!

The perennial Powerhouse out of the PACWEST the Luke Thunderbolts will be in the building!

The Beasts of the CUSMBL the Fort Hood Phantom Warriors will be here!

All of the major military conference champions will be represented in the 2026 National Military Basketball Tournament the Top Military Basketball Tournament in the entire DoD!

The absolute Best Military Hoopers from around the globe 🌎 will be showcasing their talents on the military basketball’s BIGGEST STAGE!!!! The Schedule and Brackets have been set now all there’s left is to lace’em up and hoop!

Bragging rights are on the line! Who boasts the Best Military Hoops Program? Military Basketball Hoop Heads WHO YOU GOT?!?!?!?

No Time to be Humble now, let the Trash Talk and Banter Begin!

National Military Basketball Tournament Director
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Greetings Coaches!

Attached is the FINAL NMBT Pool Play and Single Elimination Bracket Schedule.

The FINAL Tournament Field is 18 Teams! We will have six (3) Team Pools A-F. The Pools are as follows:

Pool A

(1) Fort Sam Houston Rangers
(2) Georgia National Guard
(3) Hawai’i ELITE

Pool B

(1) Joint Base Langley-Eustis Raptors
(2) Fort Hood Phantom Warriors
(3) Barksdale Bombers

Pool C

(1) Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall Marines
(2) Hurlburt Field Commandos
(3) Dover AFB

Pool D

(1) Osan Mustangs
(2) Luke Thunderbolts
(3) Mayport Hurricanes

Pool E

(1) Ramstein Rams
(2) Lackland Warhawks
(3) Fort Lee Mustangs

Pool F

(1) Maxwell Flyers
(2) Fort Bliss Knights
(3) Palo Alto Palominos

All teams will still play three pool play games. Pools A/B, C/D & E/F will be paired for a third pool play game w/ seeds 1v3 & 2v2 matching up. The top 2 teams from each pool will advance to the 12-team single elimination bracket. Once the top two teams from each pool are identified, all 12 teams will be reseeded 1-12 based upon the results on the court! First Tie Breaker is: win/loss record, Points For and Points Against (Point Differential). The Top Four Seeds will receive a First Round BYE with seeds 5-12 being matched up in the bracket. This format is significant because each and every game matters!

My apologies for the delay, but we really wanted to make sure that we got this thing RIGHT!!!! As always, on behalf of myself and the National Military Basketball Tournament Committee and Lackland Air Force Base we appreciate each and every one you for supporting our tournament now in its 17 year!

The Coach’s meeting and ICEBREAKER will be held at the Skylark Activities Center next door to Skylark Bowling Center Lackland AFB, Thursday, 26 March at 6 pm. All officials, coaches, players, spouses, etc. are eligible to attend.

Thanks for all you do!

National Military Basketball Tournament Director
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Greetings Military Hoop Fans!

We are now THREE WEEKS OUT from the 2026 National Military Basketball Tournament Championship!

20 of the Best Squads will square off for bragging rights and a chance to be crowned the 2026 NMBT Champions!

The NMBT Icebreaker/Coaches Meeting will take place on Thursday, 26 March 6:00 pm at the Skylark Activity Center on Lackland AFB next to the Skylark Bowling Alley.

Country Inn & Suites off Old Hwy 90 is the host hotel 210.866.6636 mention National Military Basketball Tournament to receive special rates.

Here is the most current Pool Schedules that supersedes all previously released. (6 Mar 26).

Enjoy!

National Military Basketball Tournament Director
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Greetings Military Hoop Fans!

The 2026 National Military Basketball Tournament Pool Play Schedules and Single Elimination Bracket has been released and UPDATED!

This release SUPERSEDES the previous of yesterday (2 March 2026).

The schedules have been set and it’s time to hoop to crown a champion!

METC- Ft Sam Houston
CHAP - Lackland AFB
WH - Lackland AFB

National Military Basketball Tournament Director
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Greetings Military Hoop Fans!

The 2026 National Military Basketball Tournament Field has been released! We are locked in at 20 total teams for this year’s competition.

The format will be a 3GG Pool play to single elimination bracket to crown a champion. We will have five 4 team pools with the top two from each pool advancing to single elimination round.

The top five seeds all were seeded tops in their pools. Here are the pools:

Pool A
1 Fort Sam Houston Rangers
2 Hurlburt Field Commandos
3 Georgia National Guard
4 Air National Guard Reserve Center

Pool B
1 Osan Defenders
2 Luke Thunderbolts
3 Fort Bragg Dragon ELITE
4 Fort Lee Travelers

Pool C
1 JBM-HH Marines
2 Fort Bliss
3 Barksdale Bombers
4 Hawaii ELITE

Pool D
1 Ramstein Rams
2 Lackland Warhawks
3 Mayport Hurricanes
4 Dover AFB

Pool E
1 JBLE Raptors
2 Fort Hood Phantom Warriors
3 Maxwell Flyers
4 Minot Wolves

Pools A/E (METC)
Pools B/C/D ( Chap & Warhawk)

All teams need to be prepared to take the floor on Friday, 27 Mar at 0900 hours. As always if you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to ask!

Thanks for all you do!

National Military Basketball Tournament Director
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Greetings Military Hoop Fans!

Here is the updated commitment list for the 2026 National Military Basketball Tournament in San Antonio, Texas 27-29 March 2026 as of 19 Feb 26. Deadline to Commit is tomorrow 20 Feb COB.

Osan AB Defenders
Ramstein Rams
JBLE Raptors
FSH Rangers
Lackland Warhawks
JBM-HH Marines
Mayport Hurricanes
Maxwell Flyers
Hurlburt Field Commandos
Dover AFB
Minot AFB
Luke Thunderbolts
Fort Hood Phantom Warriors
Fort Bliss
Air National Guard Reserve Center
Hawaii ELITE
Fort Bragg Dragon ELITE
Georgia National Guard
Fort Lee Travelers
Barksdale Bombers

Thanks for all you do!

National Military Basketball Tournament Director