Wichita State Athletics and Visit Wichita announced that Wichita will be a regional host city for the 2019 The Basketball Tournament (TBT) on Tuesday morning.
The TBT is a highly-competitive tournament that has attracted some big names in the basketball world. Last year, more than 60 players with NBA experience played in TBT, including multiple former lottery picks, NBA Champions and All-Stars.
The TBT is a $2 million, winner-takes-all summer basketball tournament that will be broadcasted on ESPN networks.
Wichita State and Charles Koch Arena serves as one of the host venues for the regional round. Regional games will be played July 25-28. The championship round is Aug. 1-6 in Chicago.
“From the moment we first started talking to TBT, we knew what a great event this would be for the city,” Brian Hargrove, executive director of sports development for Visit Wichita, said. “The love of basketball and Wichita State promises to make this another very successful event for Wichita.”
Wichita’s basketball-loving reputation is what made the TBT committee interested in having Wichita be a host site.
“The Basketball Tournament keeps getting bigger and better every year. To be selected as a regional host speaks to Wichita’s reputation as a basketball hotbed,” Gregg Marshall said. “This will be a treat for all of us. I’m especially looking forward to watching our all-star team of former Shockers in action.”
Wichita as a host site means that a Wichita State all-star alumni team, the “AfterShocks,” will get to play at the site.
The AfterShocks are coached by former Shocker Karon Bradley with former Shockers John Robert Simon and Zach Bush as the assistant coaches.
Bradley played two seasons at Marquette and was a freshman on the Golden Eagles’ 2003 Final Four team that also included NBA All-Star Dwayne Wade. In 2004 Bradley transferred to WSU and played his last two seasons under Mark Turgeon from 2005-07.
The AfterShocks roster includes multiple fan-favorites including Shaquille Morris, Cleanothony Early, Tekele Cotton and Toure’ Murry.
Full AfterShocks roster:
The TBT committee is looking to have both the KU and KSU alumni teams play in the Wichita regional.
The Aftershocks will first play Thursday evening in Wichita. Tickets have already gone on sale and can be found at http://www.goshockers.com or call the WSU Ticket Office at 316-978-FANS (3267).
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