K-State alumni team brings new name, loaded roster to TBT basketball event in Wichita

Players from many different eras of Kansas State basketball will join forces to compete for $1 million at the winner-take-all TBT basketball tournament next month in Wichita.

That means fans will get to see a fun mixture of alums that once suited up for Frank Martin playing alongside teammates who used to make shots for Bruce Weber and even a few players that recently won games for Jerome Tang.

With Jacob Pullen leading the way, this could be the most talented alumni roster that K-State has assembled in the history of the summer basketball event. So it makes sense that the team will play under a new name -- Purple Reign.

The K-State alumni team announced its preliminary roster for the tournament this week when it was revealed that Purple Reign will begin action against Team Colorado at 2 p.m. on July 20 inside Koch Arena.

Pullen, who still holds the record for career points at K-State, remains the most recognizable member of the team. But he is joined by several other talented players.

Here is a full rundown of the current roster:

• Cartier Diarra (Weber)

• Justin Edwards (Weber)

• Dajuan Gordon (Weber)

• Stephen Hurt (Weber)

• Abayomi Iyiola (Tang)

• Jacob Pullen (Martin)

• Xavier Sneed (Weber)

• Kamau Stokes (Weber)

A few players without connections to K-State will also round out the squad. Former Oklahoma State forward Yor Anei will play alongside them. So will Tennessee State alum Delano Spencer.

Jordan Henriquez will coach the team with help from assistants Clent Stewart and Curtis Kelly.

If Purple Reign wins its first game at TBT it will advance to the Round of 32 and play the winner of Aftershocks (Wichita State alums) or Midtown Prestige. It’s possible that either Purple Reign or Aftershocks will play Mass Street (Kansas alums) in the Sweet 16.

The winner of the Wichita Regional will face the winner of the Houston Regional in the quarterfinals for the right to advance to the semifinals in Philadelphia.