WICHITA, April 9th, 2019 – The Basketball Tournament (TBT) today announced that Purple & Black, an alumni team of players representing Kansas State University, has officially been accepted to compete in TBT 2019’s Wichita regional at Charles Koch Arena from July 25-28. Purple & Black’s roster will feature notable former Wildcats such as DJ Johnson, Curtis Kelly, Marcus Foster, Justin Edwards, Akeem Wright, Martavious Irving, and Thomas Gipson III.

Their remaining player pool in consideration includes former NBA players Michael Beasley and Jacob Pullen, as well as graduating seniors Dean Wade, Barry Brown Jr., and Kamau Stokes.

“I am excited that my teammates and I will be able to represent Kansas State in the tournament for the fourth consecutive year,” Purple & Black general manager and power forward DJ Johnson said. “This year will be particularly special for us as we get to put on the purple and black again so close to Manhattan for the first time since we all graduated.

It will be great for us and for K-State fans, who will see get to see some of their favorite players compete again. I know our fans will create a home-game atmosphere, even in a competitor’s arena.”

Purple & Black becomes the second team to be accepted into the Wichita Regional. AfterShocks, a Wichita State alumni team, will be serving as the region’s host. Their roster includes former Shockers Tekele Cotton, Toure’ Murry, Cleanthony Early, Conner Frankamp, Clevin Hannah, Shaq Morris, Joe Ragland, Rashard Kelly, Malcolm Armstead, Garrett Stutz, and JT Durley.

“We are extremely excited to have the Kansas State alumni team in our Wichita Regional. This will only add to the excitement of TBT at Charles Koch Arena,” said Brian Hargrove, executive director of sports development for Visit Wichita. “It’s obvious from the early ticket sales that Shocker fans are excited about the AfterShocks, and I would expect K-State fans to be just as excited. It’s going to be an incredible atmosphere and an exciting few days of basketball.

All TBT games will be shown live on ESPN networks. The first-round games will take place on July 25 and 26, with two games on each of those evenings. The remaining four teams will compete in the Regional Semifinal on July 27, and the Regional Championship will be played on July 28.

The winner of the Wichita Regional will receive a cash prize of 25 percent of ticket sales for that particular region. The prize in Wichita is currently approaching $37,000, the highest total thus far of any of TBT’s eight regional sites.

For all session tickets, visit www.goshockers.com or call the WSU Ticket Office at 316-978-FANS (3267). For more information on TBT and the teams competing in this year’s tournament, visit TheTournament.com.