Wichita Skykings

[SubGod22]

I know I first brought them up in the 316 thread, but they might be deserving of their own. We'll see how it goes.

KAKE - Meet Kevin from 'The Office' at Wichita Skykings opening weekend

WICHITA, Kan. (KAKE) - Wichita's new professional basketball team hits the court for the first time in March, and if you're a season ticket holder you can meet Kevin from hit sitcom "The Office."

Brian Baumgartner who played Kevin Malone will be in Wichita during the Skykings opening weekend March 17-19. Season tickets are available here.

"Brian Baumgartner is the guest of honor for opening weekend! Buy a season ticket ($99) meet him, take photos & live your office dreams! WILD!" the Skykings said on Instagram, along with a video of Baumgartner talking about his appearance.

Props to them for trying to help generate some interest with a beloved TV character/actor being a part of the opening festivities. I enjoyed The Office, but Parks & Rec was better.

Wichita Skykings website

Looks like general admission season tickets are $99.

Kids under 10 are always free.

Courtside season tickets are $270

Single game GA is $29

Single game courtside is $99

There appear to be 13 home games scheduled against 8 different teams that seem to be based out of OK, TX, LA, MO and AR. (Shreveport Mavericks, Rockwall 7ers, Little Rock Lightning, Enid Outlaws, South East Texas Panthers, St. Louis Griffins, Potawatomi Fire, and Pearland Texas Warriors)

Home games are at Koch Arena and tickets appear to be sold through Go Shockers.

[SB Shock]

I was hoping to hear they were going to hire IB as their head coach.

[SubGod22]

I was hoping to hear they were going to hire IB as their head coach.

I think they want to win.

[MikeKennedyRulZ]

I believe Teddy Allen will be playing for the Skykings.

[SubGod22]

That is what they'd previously announced. They don't have a roster as of yet.

[NCAABound]

$29 to watch them play a team from Enid? Doubt I'll be going much.

[MikeKennedyRulZ]

[Kel Varnsen]

I should be their GM. Here's my list of players:

Chip Steven
Tommy Brumbelow
Matt Boswell
Jordan Cyphers
Joe Mitchell
Mike Atwater
Jawanza Poland (not Powell, what was I thinking?)
Garrius Holloman
Jordan Hammond

[WstateU]

[SubGod22]

I should be their GM. Here's my list of players:

Chip Steven
Tommy Brumbelow
Matt Boswell
Jordan Cyphers
Joe Mitchell
Mike Atwater
Juwanza Powell
Garrius Holloman
Jordan Hammond

A team of nothing but Kansans. Excluding anyone in the NBA or G League. Anyone else is fair game. Take your pick. We need some big guys. Am I missing people or do we just not have them?

PG - Conner Frankamp (27), Trevor Releford (31), Ben Richardson (26), Quincy Taylor (31), Samajae Haynes-Jones (26)
SG - Chris Babb (32), Tyler Kalinoski (30), JaMichael Morgan (24), Travis Releford (32), Jerrick Harding (24), Zach Jackson (25)
SF - Shavon Shields (28), Kyle Weems (33), Quincy Diggs (32)
PF - Jackie Carmichael (32), Leo Lyons (35)
C -

I do realize that most of these guys are playing at higher levels in Europe, but it was fun.

[NCAABound]

Jackie Carmichael can eat a dick

[SubGod22]

The SkyKings have apparently added Mike Watkins, who they advertise as being second all time in blocked shots and double doubles at Penn State.

And it looks like they finally have a roster page up on the website. Last time I checked, it wasn't yet active.

Here's a quick rundown:

6'6" G Teddy Allen - New Mexico State
6'9" C Mike Watkins - Penn State
6'7" F Jachai Simmons - New Mexico
6'7" F Johnny McCants - New Mexico State
6'8" F Justin Moss - Detroit Hustle (G League)
5'11" G Derrick Colter - European Pro (Portugal)
6'2" G Damari Milstead - Cal State Fullerton
6'1" G Terrell Brown - New Mexico State
6'6" F Devon Andrews - Florida International
6'3" G Charlie Marquardt - Brooklyn Nets (G League)
6'4" G Matt Cerruti - Albany

It does appear that at least some of these guys have played at very high levels in the G League and Europe. That would lead me to believe that the level of talent is greater than I was at least initially anticipating. Not sure just how high, or if these are exceptions, but it's somewhat encouraging.

Most of the guys on the roster page have some comment on their profile about what they bring to the table and awards and such. You can check those out for yourselves if interested.

[SubGod22]

AOL - Wichita Sky Kings hope to bring quality on and off basketball court in debut pro season

The Wichita Sky Kings, the city’s new professional basketball team, is trying to pull off the delicate balance of putting a quality product on the court with plenty of off-court entertainment to entice fans in their debut season.

It’s the latest venture from businessman Ben Hamd, who has investments in Wichita, as he tries to spark interest in a new basketball team in Wichita.

He is offering competitive pay to attract qualified pros and he has already rented out and paid for an entire season’s worth of games for the team to play at Koch Arena, which has instantly made the Sky Kings a premier destination in The Basketball League.

To try to drum up interest for opening weekend, Hamd has enlisted the services of actor Brian Baumgartner, best known for his role as Kevin Malone on the hit sitcom The Office, for a meet-and-greet with fans at the Sky Kings’ opening week of games on March 17 and 19.

While Hamd is taking care of the marketing and entertainment side, he has left the basketball side up to coach Sean Flynn, who was the Pratt Community College men’s basketball coach from 2018-21.

Sounds like the SkyKings should be able to really shoot the ball. I think the article said every player on the roster has shot over 40% from three either in college or the pros.

[SubGod22]

JC Post - Wichita Sky Kings win first game vs SouthEast Texas in TBL

BEAUMONT, Texas — Teddy Allen led five double-figure scorers with 22 points to aid the Wichita Sky Kings to their first TBL (The Basketball League) win over the SouthEast Texas Panthers in Beaumont, Texas, on Friday night 114-99.

The TBL has been around for a few years, but the Wichita Sky Kings is a new franchise based out of Wichita.

The Sky Kings will compete in the Central Division of the TBL.

Allen paced the Sky Kings with red hot 53.3% shooting, including 3 for 6 three-point shooting. As a team, the Sky Kings shot 60% on 48 of 80 shooting from the field.

Allen was aided by 18 Brandon Watkins' points. Derrick Colter, Matthew Cerruti and Terrell Brown each had 17. Jachai Simmons added seven points. Charles Marquardt and Kameron Willams had six points each. D'von Andrews and Johnny McCants wrapped up the scoring with two points each.

[Wichita_Skykings]

Hey everybody,
It's Ben Hamd, owner of the Wichita Skykings, and AVID basketball enthusiast, I actually have been lurking on the forums for some time but haven't made an account before.

1) If you have any questions happy to answer on the roster, strategy, what I see is going well, what isn't going well
2) Happy to just chat in general

FYI, would love to offer anybody on the forums free tickets to opening weekend (march 17th or march 19th) to check out the skykings in person. The guys are all high DI performers or existing pros overseas that chose to come home to be closer to family (heck derrick colter was playing in the top league in Spain and Portugal).

I built my career in commercial real estate which is a good living, but honestly BORING as hell at this point, so it's been really fun to play GM for this team so far and I'm proud of the early success they've seen (5-0).

FOR FREE TICKETS: Email me directly for tickets (ben@wichitaskykings.com)