SHAWNEE, OK – The Potawatomi Fire are thrilled to announce the signing of former NBA guard Willie Warren for the 2026 TBL season.
Warren, a TBL newcomer, is no stranger to the Fire organization having played with numerous Fire players on the Fire Family TBT (The Basketball Tournament) team.
“I am thrilled Willie is playing with the Fire this season,” said general manager David Qualls. “His background in professional basketball is unlike most in TBL and his experience playing at the highest levels of pro basketball will be invaluable as we look to win our fourth consecutive championship. The fact he is also familiar with our players and culture will allow him to make a seamless transition as a member of the Fire.”
Following a standout career at the University of Oklahoma, Warren was drafted in the 2nd Round of the NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Clippers. During his rookie season, Warren appeared in 19 games with Clippers moving between the NBA club and the Bakersfield Jam of the NBA G-League (formerly D-League).
Following a second season in the G-League, Warren’s career moved internationally. Over the course of his career, Warren has played Israel (2012-2013), Hungary (2013-2014), Italy (2014), China (2014, 2015-2016, 2016-2017), Iran (2017-2018), and China again (2017-2018). Warren then came back to the U.S. playing for the Texas Legends of NBA G-League in 2018. Following his third season in the G-League, Warren went back overseas playing in Lebanon (2018-2019, 2019), Mexico (2019-2020), Saudi Arabia (2020), Taiwan (2020-2021), Qatar (2021-2022), Venezuela (2022), Iraq (2022-2023), and Kuwait (2023-2024).
“I’m excited for Willie Warren to make his TBL debut with the Fire this season,” said three-time TBL Coach of the Year Mark Dannhoff. “He is a true professional and a high-level player who can play multiple positions, score at all three levels, and put up big numbers. Beyond his skill set, Willie brings experience, wisdom, and a high basketball IQ that will fit seamlessly with our team. He will be a star in his role, and his servant-minded mentality will allow him to contribute in any capacity we need.”
Warren is a native of Fort Worth, Texas and played two seasons with the Oklahoma Sooners before beginning his pro career.
The Fire will begin their 2026 TBL season on March 5th against ADS Sentinels. Season tickets and individual tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at on the Fire website.
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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.
