LAS VEGAS, Nev. - Former Ram Antonio Hester was one of 22 players who qualified to compete in the Ones Basketball League (OBL) finals over the weekend at the Dollar Loan Center in Las Vegas, Nev. The winner-take-all prize in the head-to-head single elimination event was $250,000.
The OBL is the brainchild of NBA Basketball Hall of Famer Tracy McGrady, and has held six regional events across the country over the past two months. Hester finished second in the OBL Atlanta Regional, May 7-8, to qualify for the finals on July 15-16 in Las Vegas.
Hester, 31, played at the University of Mobile during the 2011-12 season where he led the Rams in total points (480), total rebounds (266), and total blocks (46). Hester earned SSAC First-Team All-Conference honors, while being named the Conference Newcomer of the Year, and was later named a NAIA Third-Team All-American following the 2011-12 season after averaging 15.5 points and 8.6 rebounds as a senior at Mobile. Since leaving Mobile, Hester has competed professionally overseas for more than a decade, winning championships in Peru and Iceland, earning the Icelandic League's Player of the Year honors in 2018.
Former Ram Antonio Hester
In the OBL Tournament, "Big Hess" went a perfect 7-0 in pool play at OBL Atlanta, then fell in the finals of pool play to Glen Rice Jr., 9-7. In the finals of the tournament this past weekend in Las Vegas, Hester fell in the quarterfinals to Zach Radz, 9-8.
About Ones Basketball League (OBL)
Ones Basketball League (OBL) — the first-ever elite competition that celebrates the most skilled one-on-one players on the planet and created by NBA Basketball legend and Hall of Famer Tracy McGrady — has a mission to inspire and create more opportunity and joy for athletes and fans through a new sports platform that fuses the best one-on-one basketball competition and storytelling with an authentic bond to community and culture.
Tracy McGrady shares his love for the grit and grind of competition with basketball enthusiasts across the world. After making his mark on the game by defeating one defender after another, he knows firsthand how one-on-one is basketball's essence. With his remarkable NBA career, featuring 7 All-Star selections, 7 All-NBA honors, and 2 scoring titles, McGrady embodies the power of intention, commitment, and presence. Now he is helping others find their power and enabling meaningful change through OBL.
For more on the OBL, you can follow Ones Basketball League at https://www.oblhoops.com/.
About the University of Mobile
The University of Mobile is a Christ-centered university offering on-campus and online bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in over 75 academic programs. Founded in 1961, the University of Mobile is affiliated with the Alabama Baptist State Convention and is located 10 miles north of Mobile, Alabama on a campus of over 880 acres.
For information about the University of Mobile, areas of study, admissions and more, visit umobile.edu, connect with UM on social media @univofmobile, or call Enrollment Services at 1.800.WIN.RAMS or 251.442.2222.
