The Basketball Tournament 2024: Midtown Prestige

Making their TBT debut, Midtown Prestige looks to make an impact in the Wichita Regional.

Midtown Prestige is a member of The Basketball League and a Minor League basketball team. With Covid slowly weaning off, Midtown Prestige became the 25th team to join The Basketball League. This team came onto the scene for South Central Kansas hoopers. In its first year, Devon Andrews was an impressive player in TBL. Cevin Clark is another name of note as a former Southwestern College player.

While Caitlin Clark was massive around college basketball names over the past few years. Cevin Clark is the less-known Clark, the NAIA’s number 1 scorer who averaged 27.2 points per game. He broke Southwestern College’s scoring record, scoring 2,261 points in his career. Now, he looks to take that scoring to TBT, where his team will need to pull off a massive upset to beat the Aftershocks, the other Wichita-based team in the tournament. 

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Current Roster:

• Andrew O’Brien (Southwestern)
• Brandon Jackson (Oklahoma City)
• Bryce Cashman (Oklahoma State)
• Cevin Clark (Southwestern)
• Cooper Pierce (Southwestern)
• Devon Andrews (Florida International)
• Dominik Philip (Cerro Coso Community College)
• Garrius Holloman (Bethune Cookman)
• Gus Okafor (Wichita State University)
• Ikenna Okeke (Missouri S&T)
• Joe Petrakis (Western Carolina)
• Jonah Carrasco (IUPUI)
• Jonathan Hall (Missouri Valley College)
• Kaheem Ranson (Sam Houston State)
• Kavonte Kinney (Sterling College)

Coaching Staff:

• Adrian Maloney Jr. (Assistant Coach)
• Brent Bennett (GM)
• Chardonnae Parker (Assistant Coach)
• D Garland (Assistant Coach)
• Grace Toon (GM)
• Joe Mitchell Jr. (Assistant Coach)
• Tyler O’Quinn (Head Coach)

Region: Wichita

All-time Record: 0-0

First Matchup: vs. AfterShocks (July 20 at 1 p.m. on FS1)

Team MVP: Devon Andrews

Many players on this team can shoot. However, this player has some years of experience. Devon Andrews plays for the Wichita Sky Kings. He’s averaging 28.5 points per game, 5.8 rebounds per game, 1.6 assists per game, and 2.2 steals per game. Andrews is a wing player, and his ability to score on all levels will be an issue for most teams.

His style of play will be a massive asset in this tournament as he will have a solid grasp of the physicality and expectations. Andrews’ leadership may bring the less experienced guys into a better rhythm and have them settle into the game. He also has the advantage of a lot of pressure being put on Cevin Clark as the hometown kid.

Make-or-break Player: Andrew O’Brian

Andrew O’Brian is going to be overlooked by many in this tournament. While standing at 6-foot-6, he plays the point with ease. While he can go off at any moment, his ability to create shots for his team will be massive. O’Brian’s size allows him to guard most of the players on the floor and can make matchups incredibly difficult. With Clark receiving so much attention last year, O’Brian was the quiet hero. He crashed boards and handed out assists so quickly. At Southwestern, O’Brian averaged 10.1 points, 8.7 rebounds, 6.8 assists, and 1.1 steals. While impressive, he also shot over 35% from 3-point range.

Team Outlook

While this team is making its debut, there is little doubt that this game will be a must-watch. With Midwest and, specifically, Kansas players on both teams, this should bring in a nice crowd. These two teams are going to match up interestingly. Midtown will have the height advantage, and with a loaded roster, it would be no surprise to see a battalion approach. The feeling of a much hated 2014-2015 Kentucky team that bounced out the Shockers in the NCAA tournament. The size will be an issue for the AfterShocks and a massive advantage for the Prestige. Outside Clark, Philip, and Ranson, everyone is 6-foot-5 or taller.

The team boasts three players 6-foot-10 or taller. With the never-ending rotation, the fresh legs will likely wear down the AfterShocks. Coach O’Quinn had a glowing review for his team and expects to make a statement in year one. Being a Wichita native, O’Quinn will have done his research and prepped his team with tape for all teams. Having very little for competitors to go on,

Coach O’Quinn hopes his style of play and preparedness can disrupt the Wichita Region. In a one-and-done style of play, the depth of this roster could be to its benefit. While many will be rooting for the AfterShocks, these underdogs will put up a fight worth every penny.