SE: K-State Alums ‘Comfortable’ and Confident Heading into Wichita TBT Regional
Jul 26, 2019 | Men's Basketball, Sports Extra
By Corbin McGuire
It's a new era for Purple & Black, the K-State men's basketball alumni team that starts its run in the $2 million-prized TBT (The Basketball Tournament) on Friday in Wichita.
Former Wildcat D.J. Johnson took over as the team's general manager, assuming the role Jordan Henriquez held for years. Johnson even created a pseudo five-man board of directors to help construct the team.
"Three votes," he said, laughing, of what took to get voted on the team.
Last year, Purple & Black lost its opening round game on a last-second 3-pointer. It did not help that the team had only one sub available, due to logistical issues and scheduling conflicts. This year, Johnson constructed a 10-man roster. This includes seven K-State graduates in Johnson, Shane Southwell, Justin Edwards, Thomas Gipson, Martavious Irving, Akeem Wright and Stephen Hurt. Marquis Addison, Marcus Foster, Jevon Thomas and Vernon Vaughn round out the roster.
"Everybody is obviously at different parts of their lives, but we all communicate with each other," Gipson said. "We wanted to get it started early because last year we felt like was a bit of a disappointment."
"We feel comfortable with what we have," Johnson added.
The group is also comfortable with each other and their venue. Purple & Black played in Richmond, Virginia and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania the last two years, respectively.
The team expects to see much more purple in the stands this time around at Wichita State's Koch Arena.
"I've seen, via social media, a lot of people say they're going to be attending," Irving said. "I've ran into a ton of people who said they can't wait for it. Hopefully we get a good turnout."
"We'll feed off the energy in the arena, I'm sure," Gipson added.
A handful of the Purple & Black players should feed off some extra preparation for the 64-team TBT as well.
Some of the former Wildcats arrived in Manhattan last week and enjoyed the resources still made available to them at the Ice Family Basketball Center. From the weight room, the pair of full court gyms and the training room, they took advantage. They even played against the current Wildcats a few times during open gym sessions.
"It's awesome," Irving said. "I graduated six years ago, and I come back every summer. The resources here are extremely great. A lot of times (playing) overseas we might not have access to a cold tub or a treatment (room). Then, on top of that, playing against high-level guys — because these guys are really good — iron sharpens iron. So, we're just really thankful for the coaching staff to be able to let us do that every summer."
K-State head coach Bruce Weber said he loves having the alums back.
"They love coming back, they love to be part of it," he said. "It's great for our guys to go against older guys, to have a break and see different faces, and it's always great to have those guys back. They love K-State."
Gipson, who spent last season in Turkey and Finland, said they carry that love wherever they play professionally.
"Especially with the (Big 12 championship) run they had this past year, I couldn't be prouder of the guys," he said. "We come here year after year after year and we watch them grow. When we see that, we're extremely happy when we're overseas. I'll be on Twitter going crazy on people, just because I rock with K-State forever."
Now, the K-State alums look to rock past the Wichita Regional and toward the $2 million awarded to the TBT winner. Purple & Black's first game against Team Colorado, the 2016 runner-up, will be broadcast on ESPN3 on Friday at 8 p.m.
It's a new era for Purple & Black, the K-State men's basketball alumni team that starts its run in the $2 million-prized TBT (The Basketball Tournament) on Friday in Wichita.
Former Wildcat D.J. Johnson took over as the team's general manager, assuming the role Jordan Henriquez held for years. Johnson even created a pseudo five-man board of directors to help construct the team.
"Three votes," he said, laughing, of what took to get voted on the team.
Last year, Purple & Black lost its opening round game on a last-second 3-pointer. It did not help that the team had only one sub available, due to logistical issues and scheduling conflicts. This year, Johnson constructed a 10-man roster. This includes seven K-State graduates in Johnson, Shane Southwell, Justin Edwards, Thomas Gipson, Martavious Irving, Akeem Wright and Stephen Hurt. Marquis Addison, Marcus Foster, Jevon Thomas and Vernon Vaughn round out the roster.
"Everybody is obviously at different parts of their lives, but we all communicate with each other," Gipson said. "We wanted to get it started early because last year we felt like was a bit of a disappointment."
"We feel comfortable with what we have," Johnson added.
The group is also comfortable with each other and their venue. Purple & Black played in Richmond, Virginia and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania the last two years, respectively.
The team expects to see much more purple in the stands this time around at Wichita State's Koch Arena.
"I've seen, via social media, a lot of people say they're going to be attending," Irving said. "I've ran into a ton of people who said they can't wait for it. Hopefully we get a good turnout."
"We'll feed off the energy in the arena, I'm sure," Gipson added.
A handful of the Purple & Black players should feed off some extra preparation for the 64-team TBT as well.
Some of the former Wildcats arrived in Manhattan last week and enjoyed the resources still made available to them at the Ice Family Basketball Center. From the weight room, the pair of full court gyms and the training room, they took advantage. They even played against the current Wildcats a few times during open gym sessions.
"It's awesome," Irving said. "I graduated six years ago, and I come back every summer. The resources here are extremely great. A lot of times (playing) overseas we might not have access to a cold tub or a treatment (room). Then, on top of that, playing against high-level guys — because these guys are really good — iron sharpens iron. So, we're just really thankful for the coaching staff to be able to let us do that every summer."
K-State head coach Bruce Weber said he loves having the alums back.
"They love coming back, they love to be part of it," he said. "It's great for our guys to go against older guys, to have a break and see different faces, and it's always great to have those guys back. They love K-State."
Gipson, who spent last season in Turkey and Finland, said they carry that love wherever they play professionally.
"Especially with the (Big 12 championship) run they had this past year, I couldn't be prouder of the guys," he said. "We come here year after year after year and we watch them grow. When we see that, we're extremely happy when we're overseas. I'll be on Twitter going crazy on people, just because I rock with K-State forever."
Now, the K-State alums look to rock past the Wichita Regional and toward the $2 million awarded to the TBT winner. Purple & Black's first game against Team Colorado, the 2016 runner-up, will be broadcast on ESPN3 on Friday at 8 p.m.
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