SHAWNEE, OK – Following three consecutive seasons of dominating play in The Basketball League (TBL), it’s fair to ask what’s next and what’s left to achieve for the Potawatomi Fire.
“We want to keep our championship streak alive. That’s goal number one,” said Fire general manager David Qualls. “Beyond continued success on the court, we want to continue building the Fire brand in the community and growing our brand outside of Shawnee area. We strive to give the Shawnee community and surrounding areas different types of events to choose from including concerts and other sporting events. Fire games play a vital role in our overall community outreach effort. We are confident in the product that we have on the court and the experience we give our fans. We have seen growth every year and we want to keep building on that this year.”
As Qualls mentioned, the success the Fire have seen off the court can be directly traced to the success on the court. The Fire have seen unprecedented success over the last three seasons. Not only are the Fire back-to-back-to-back TBL champions, something never achieved in TBL before, but they have also won those championships in dominant fashion. Since the start of the 2023 season, the Fire are a combined 84-5 overall and 53-1 in the last two seasons. The Fire are also an astounding 47-0 at home inside FireLake Arena since the start of the 2023 season. In fact, dating back to their inaugural season in 2022, the Fire have won a TBL record 52 consecutive games at home, something that head coach Mark Dannhoff does not take for granted.
“We have the most incredible fans in TBL,” said Dannhoff, the reigning three-time TBL Coach of the Year. “There have been games where we didn’t play up to our standards, and our fans empowered us. They pushed us to victories we might not have achieved elsewhere. We’re incredibly fortunate to play in front of such a passionate fan base every night, and that passion truly energizes our players.”
As the Fire get set to embark on their 2026 season and a potential fourth straight title, they know it won’t be easy.
“Teams are gunning for us,” said Qualls. “Ever since we won our first championship we’ve had a target on our backs, and I think our players relish that. Just like the last three years, winning another title won’t be easy but I am confident that Coach Dannhoff and the players we have this season will be ready for the task and will leave it all on the court.”
The Fire have plenty of reason for confidence going into this season. They return arguably the best player TBL has ever seen in Chuck Guy (6-0, PG). Guy, who is the captain and unquestioned leader of the Fire, is coming off back-to-back MVP seasons and is looking to continue to prove he is the best all-around player in TBL.
Also back is 2025 Finals MVP Ricardo Artis II (6-6, F). Ricky, as he’s known to the fans, is one of the most entertaining players in TBL with his showmanship matching his level of play.
The Fire also return big men Jay Hedgeman (6-8, F) and Isaiah Wade (6-7, F). Both of those guys were key for the Fire last season and will likely take on a greater role this year.
Following a year in Great Falls, Montana, K.D. Moore (6-4, G/F) is back with the Fire for the 2026 season. After spending 2023 and 2024 with the Fire, Moore played for the Great Falls Electric last season and averaged career highs in points (28.9 ppg), rebounds (6.6 rpg), assists (5.6 apg), and steals (1.6 spg) on his way to being named a TBL All-Star for the first time in his career. Moore’s return gives the Fire another playmaker and scorer that can take over a game on any given night.
The Fire also return T.J. Maston (6-9, C) after he spent the 2025 seaosn in Great Falls, Montana as well. In 2025, Maston averaged 11.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.1 assists while shooting 47.2% from the field.
On top of those familiar names returning for 2026, the Fire are also adding 2025 TBL Rookie of the Year Cam Williams (6-2, G), 2024 TBL leading scorer Jahmal McMurray (6-0, G), former Los Angeles Clipper and OU basketball star Willie Warren (6-4, G), versatile forward Jeremiah Gilliam (6-7, F), and big man Johnny McCants (6-10, C).
With the roster now finalized, Coach Dannhoff is confident this team will be ready for the start of the season.
“It’s important for us to understand that anything focused on the past pulls you out of the present and any focus on the future does the exact same,” said Dannhoff. “We need to stay in the present moment; that’s where our attention must be every day. With that being said, I know we will put in the work and position ourselves to succeed. The leadership on this roster is second to none, and if everyone comes in ready to work, we’ll have a chance for another amazing year.”
The Fire began training camp on February 16th. They will host the Memphis Lions on February 28th for a free exhibition at 3 PM before officially tipping off their 2026 TBL season on March 5th when they host ADS Sentinels inside FireLake Arena. Tickets for the season opener, and all other games, are on sale now at www.potawatomifire.com/tickets.
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ABOUT THE POTAWATOMI FIRE
The Potawatomi Fire are the first professional basketball team owned by a Native American tribe (Citizen Potawatomi Nation) in Oklahoma. The Fire compete in the Central Conference of The Basketball League (TBL), a men’s professional basketball league, with roughly 40 teams across the U.S. and Canada. The Fire play their home games at FireLake Arena in Shawnee, Oklahoma.
Through their first four years, the Fire have established themselves as the premier franchise in TBL. Along with winning the TBL championship in 2023, 2024 and 2025, the Fire organization was named the 2022 winner of the Jim Koch Award as TBL’s Best Ran Business. The dance team of the Fire, the Fire Girls, were named TBL’s Best Dance Team in 2022 and 2025. The Fire Girls were also named the Central Conference Best Dance Team in 2023 and 2024.