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Wichita Sky Kings

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The Wichita Sky Kings are an American professional basketball team from Wichita, Kansas that plays in the Central Conference of The Basketball League (TBL).

Wichita Sky Kings
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ConferenceCentral
LeagueThe Basketball League (TBL) 2018–present
Founded2022
ArenaFugate Gymnasium
LocationWichita, Kansas
Head coachSean Flynn
Websitehttps://www.wichitaskykings.com

History

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In November 2022, TBL's CEO, Evelyn Magley, announced that the Wichita Sky Kings will be playing in the Central Conference for the upcoming 2023 season.[1]

The team is owned by Lebanese-American businessman Ben Hamd.[2] Hamd is the founder of Brookwood Capital Advisors, a real estate investment company that redevelops properties across the U.S., including Wichita, Kansas.[3] According to Hamd, the team's name is a nod to Wichita's aviation history as birthplace of Cessna Aircraft Company, now owned by Textron.[4] The name "Sky Kings" derives from 1950's radio-turned TV show Sky King about a Cessna aircraft pilot of the same name.[5]

Sean Flynn was named as head coach for the Sky Kings' debut season.[6] Flynn was head coach for the Pratt Community College Beavers from 2018 to 2021 where he held a 44 and 40 record.[7] Flynn's assistant coach is former New Mexico State manager César Luján Flores.[8]

Brian Baumgartner, American actor known for playing Kevin Malone in the NBC sitcom The Office, attended the Sky Kings' opening week.[9]

The Basketball League (TBL)

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Founded in 2017, The Basketball League is a men's professional basketball league with 40+ North American teams composed of players from Division 1 through Division 3 schools, as well as former NBA and international players.[10]

The Sky Kings are among eight TBL teams in the central conference, including the Enid Outlaws, Little Rock Lightning, Pearland Texas Warriors, Potawatomi Fire, Rockwall 7ers, Shreveport Mavericks, and Southeast Texas Panthers.[11]

The 2021 and 2022 TBL champions, the Enid Outlaws and the Shreveport Mavericks respectively, are in the Central Conference.[1]

Central Conference
Enid Outlaws Enid, Oklahoma Stride Bank Center 3,887 2020 2021
Little Rock Lightning Little Rock, Arkansas Jack Stephens Center 5,600 2019 2021 Armando Villanueva
Pearland Texas Warriors Pearland, Texas 2023
Potawatomi Fire Shawnee, Oklahoma FireLake Arena 5,000 2021 2022 Mark Dannhoff
Rockwall 7ers Rockwall, Texas Royse City High School 2021 2022 Kendrick Bryson
Shreveport Mavericks Shreveport, Louisiana Gold Dome 3,000 2006[a] 2021 Steve Tucker
Southeast Texas Panthers Beaumont, Texas Ford Arena 9,737 2021 2022
Wichita Sky Kings Wichita, Kansas Charles Koch Arena 10,506 2022 2023

Players

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According to head coach Sean Flynn, the Sky Kings' roster is composed of players from Division I and Division II schools. Notable acquisitions include Teddy Allen, Charlie Marquardt, and Justin Moss.[1]

Teddy Allen formerly played for the New Mexico State Aggies, where he ranked 29th nationally in scoring and led the Aggies to an NCAA tournament win after scoring 37 points against Connecticut.[12] During 2022 alone, Allen was recognized as WAC Player of the Year, WAC Tournament Most Valuable Player, and WAC Newcomer of the Year.[13]

From 2018 to 2019, Charlie Marquardt played for G-League NBA team the Brooklyn Nets.[14] Marquardt went on to win the 2021 TBL championship with the Enid Outlaws and played for the Syracuse Stallions in 2022.[15]

Justin Moss formerly played for Blue Collar U, the winning team of The Basketball Tournament 2022 and a $2 million purse.[14]

Current roster

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Wichita Sky Kings roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Nat. Name Ht. Wt. Age
G   Colter, Derrick 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 30 – (1994-03-22)22 March 1994
G   Milstead, Damari 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 25 – (1999-09-11)11 September 1999
G   Brown, Terrell 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 26 – (1998-04-23)23 April 1998
G   Marquardt, Charlie 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 29 – (1995-02-06)6 February 1995
G   Allen, Teddy 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 222 lb (101 kg) 26 – (1998-06-07)7 June 1998
F   Simmons, Jachai 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 27 – (1997-01-01)1 January 1997
F   McCants, Johnny 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 229 lb (104 kg) 26 – (1998-06-013)13 June 1998
F   Moss, Justin 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 240 lb (110 kg) 31 – (1993-06-19)19 June 1993
G   Cerruti, Matt 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 27 – (1997-01-01)1 January 1997
G   Andrews, Devon 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 240 lb (110 kg)
Head coach
  •   Sean Flynn
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  •   Injured

Home Arena

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The Sky King's home arena is Fugate Gymnasium, opened in 1999, is home to Potter Family Court and the Newman Men's and Women's Basketball programs, as well as Newman Volleyball and Wrestling programs, with a seating capacity of 1,242, Fugate Gymnasium brings one of the best atmospheres in small college athletics. It is also home to coaches offices, and houses the Eck Fitness Center with an aerobics and weight room. The Gymnasium also includes 6 locker rooms with an athletic training facility.

Season

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The Sky's Kings' season lasts from March through June.[1] The leagues' season ends with a championship tournament between finalists among all four TBL conferences.[10]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Eldridge, Taylor (November 30, 2022). "Former Shocker Teddy Allen to play at Koch Arena for new Wichita pro basketball team".
  2. ^ "Arab American Businessman Establishes Wichita Sky Kings Basketball Team in Kansas". Arab America. January 18, 2023. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  3. ^ Kellerman, Shelby (January 10, 2023). "Why a national retail investor bought the Sky Kings, Wichita's new minor-league basketball team". bizjournals.com. Wichita Business Journal. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  4. ^ "How is Wichita, Kansas the 'Air Capital of the World'? | International Aviation HQ". February 29, 2020. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  5. ^ "Wichita Skykings: 01/17/2023". www.kake.com. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  6. ^ "Wichita Sky Kings Basketball Team – Official Website". Wichita Sky Kings. Retrieved January 5, 2023.
  7. ^ "Head Coach". Pratt CC. Retrieved January 5, 2023.
  8. ^ "Trio of Aggies to Join Wichita Sky Kings of the TBL". New Mexico State University Athletics. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  9. ^ "Actor Brian Baumgartner sat courtside as Wichita Sky Kings made their debut Friday". KSN-TV. March 18, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
  10. ^ a b "FAQ – The Basketball League". Retrieved January 5, 2023.
  11. ^ "The Basketball League". Retrieved January 5, 2023.
  12. ^ Eldridge, Taylor (February 20, 2023). "Wichita Sky Kings hope to bring quality on and off basketball court in debut pro season".
  13. ^ adviser; Doyle, Shelly (January 25, 2023). "Aggie legend Teddy 'Buckets' signs with Wichita Skykings". NMSU Round Up. Retrieved January 25, 2023.
  14. ^ a b "Sky Kings bring more than basketball to Wichita". www.visitwichita.com. January 25, 2023. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
  15. ^ "Defending Champion, Charlie Marquardt, Looks to Bring a Championship to Syracuse". Syracuse Stallions. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
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  1. ^ As the Rio Grande Valley Silverados in the ABA.
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