Marquette, MI – May 15th, 2026 – The Gus Macker basketball tournament is a nationwide event that brings together basketball fans and players from all walks of life. Competitors of all ages and skill levels take the court. Whether it is someone playing in their very first tournament or a veteran competing in the senior division, it’s more than just a basketball tournament. Gus Macker is built around community, teamwork, sportsmanship, and creating lasting memories. The organization’s mission reflects that vision by creating an environment where friendships are formed and everyone feels like part of the Macker family.
The tournament’s story began in 1974 in Howell, Michigan when brothers Scott McNeal and Mitch McNeal invited friends over for a backyard basketball tournament. At the time, players competed for just an $18 prize, and the brothers had no idea the event would eventually grow into one of the most recognizable basketball tournaments in the country. What started as a small neighborhood competition, quickly expanded across the nation. The tournament consists of more than 1,400 tournaments, welcoming roughly 2.7 million players and raising millions of dollars for charities. Gus Macker became known for its authentic streetball atmosphere and its ability to unite communities through basketball. The tournament gained major national attention after a 1985 Sports Illustrated article titled “The Only Game in Town,” which helped put the event on the national map.
This weekend’s tournament is a 3-on-3 format with teams consisting of four players; three players on the court and one substitute. Teams are divided into male and female divisions based on age, experience, and height, while co-ed teams are automatically placed into male divisions using the same criteria.
The scoring system is simple. Regular baskets are worth one point, while shots made from beyond the 21-foot arc count as two points. After every change of possession, the ball must be “taken back” behind the designated line before a team can score. If a team scores without properly taking the ball back, the basket does not count and possession goes to the opposing team.
Free throws also feature a unique rule. Players may choose to shoot from the free-throw line for one point or attempt a two-point shot from behind the arc. Dunking is prohibited in all divisions except the top men’s and women’s brackets. In addition to the main games, the tournament will also feature fun side events, including a three-point shooting contest and a dunk contest for participating players and fans.
Click this link to find the brackets and search up players playing this weekend
This year’s tournament will take place in the parking lot of Gwinn High School.
