Purple Reign, formerly Purple & Black, looks to make it out of Wichita and represent Kansas State proudly.
Purple Reign have been a staple of TBT. They have competed in every tournament but one since 2016. However, they haven’t been able to do much. In the last two years, they’ve won the first game but lost the following one. The three tournaments prior were one and done.
This year, they are hoping for bigger and better results. Led by Wildcat legend Jacob Pullen, Purple Reign believes that they have what it takes to win multiple games and make a run.
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Current Roster:
- Abayomi Iyiola (Kansas State, Hofstra, Arkansas, & Stetson)
- Cartier Diarra (Virginia Tech & Kansas State)
- Dajuan Gordon (Kansas State, Missouri, New Mexico State, & UT Arlington)
- Delano Spencer (Tennessee State)
- Devon Baulkman (Gulf Coast State College & Tennessee)
- Jacob Pullen (Kansas State)
- Justin Edwards (Maine & Kansas State)
- Kamau Stokes (Kansas State)
- Khalid Thomas (Portland State)
- Stephen Hurt (Lipscomb & Kansas State)
- Xavier Sneed (Kansas State)
- Yor Anei (DePaul)
Coaching Staff:
- Clent Stewart (Assistant Coach)
- Curtis Kelly (Assistant Coach)
- Jordan Henriquez-Roberts (GM & Head Coach)
- Ryan Deppen (Assistant Coach)
Region: Wichita
All-time Record: 5-7
First Matchup: vs. Team Colorado (July 20 at 3 p.m. on FS2)
Team MVP: Jacob Pullen
I am going back to the well. If Jacob Pullen is playing, he will be my MVP. The thing with Jacob Pullen is how he can catch fire. He does what he needs to do in order to win. When Purple Reign needs a boost, Pullen will be the player to step up and start making shots. While he could easily lead the team in scoring, teams could focus on him defensively, and that would be a grave mistake because he isn’t a selfish player.
Pullen posted a 30-point game two years ago in one of his games and is no stranger to making a game-winner in an Elam Ending. While he did not make it last year, he is scheduled to pull up again this year.
Make-or-break Player: Xavier Sneed
Sneed is playing in the NBA Summer League, so there is a chance he won’t play for Purple Reign. If he does, Xavier Sneed is set to make a splash. Sneed was terrific as a senior at Kansas State, averaging 14 points a game. He also added 1.8 steals, and his defense is exactly what this team will need to be successful in this year’s TBT. Purple Reign didn’t really have a scoring threat last year, and that was the main reason for their early exit, but with Pullen and Sneed, they have that threat that can give teams nightmares.
Team Outlook
With a slightly younger team than those in the past, Purple Reign seems to have found a balance. With heavy guard play, the team can move the ball and score. The team’s guards are of decent size but have smaller wings. This team does have a few centers that can rotate. Seeing how this team works together, I see a lot of potential.
They got a pretty tough draw, facing Team Colorado in Round 1, a team with a similar story to them. If they can get beat them, they’ll have to face the AfterShocks, the favorite to come out of the region and the home team. What every fan is hoping for is a third-round matchup against Mass Street, the Kansas alumni team. Everyone knows how great the KU-K-State rivalry is, so getting to see that in TBT would be incredible.
It won’t be easy, but this team is capable of finally breaking through. In a single-game elimination tournament, anything can happen, and all this team needs is a little momentum and July madness.