🌾 Who are the Wichita Sky Kings?

April 19, 2023 | Sign Up | Support Us

TOGETHER WITH

Good morning Wichita!

Do you remember that commercial with the camel who yells HUMP DAYYYYY on Wednesday because we're almost over the hump for the week?

Well we're already over the hump because you don't have to wait until Friday for a good time. The Wichita Life party is tomorrow evening. We still have a few tickets available, but if you give this email just a couple scrolls you can find full details and grab your ticket!

In today's Wichita Life Update

Who are the Wichita Skykings?
What level of basketball is this?
What to expect at a Skykings game

Let's get to it!

- Landon Huslig

TOGETHER WITH COCOA DOLCE

Cocoa Dolce has the perfect “Thank you!” gift for Administrative Professionals’ Day (that's next Wednesday if you didn't know) this year!

Choose from artisan chocolates, macarons, coffees, and more, there’s no better (or sweeter) way to show your appreciation.

Shop Now

WICHITA LIFE IS TURNING SIX!

Please join us on the downtown rooftop of IMA on April 20th (TOMORROW) from 5:30pm to 8:30pm for a night of fun!

Your all-inclusive ticket includes:

- A delicious taco bar from Rent the Chef

- Desserts from September Moon Cupcakery & The Popcorner

- Speciality cocktail from Una Vida Tequila

- Beer & wine

- Live music from J Michael

- Networking with the most interesting people in Wichita

- A special gift

Dress code: Business Casual

Thank you to our sponsors: IMA, Rent the Chef, Meddy's, Una Vida Tequila, Love of Character, September Moon Cupcakery, The Popcorner, CBD Plus, Il Primo

A portion of ticket sales will benefit Giving the Basics, a nonprofit founded on the premise that no one should go without the basic hygiene items needed to be clean and live a healthier life.

Get your ticket today. only a few tickets left!

The Sky Kings

Who are the Sky Kings? This is a question you may have asked yourself at some point recently if you've seen the name or logo on billboards, store fronts, online, and all over the place. Or maybe you heard about it because they are bringing celebrities like Kevin from the Office, Bow Wow, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and more to games at the home court in Charles Koch Arena.

The name Sky King is a nod to Wichita's aviation history and a reference to a "1950's radio-turned TV show Sky King about a Cessna aircraft pilot of the same name."

We wanted to go straight to the source, so I reached out to the owner of the Sky Kings: Ben Hamd.

Meet Ben Hamd

My name is Ben Hamd. I'm a real estate developer, and I buy shopping centers that are run down, fix them up and sell them. I do the same for businesses or start businesses. Minor league basketball is in its infancy stages in the USA, and there's a real chance for it to be something amazing instead of sending players overseas who can't make the NBA.

Who are the Wichita Sky Kings?

The Skykings are a professional basketball team in the TBL (The basketball league). We are currently 10-3 and feature all DI athletes who achieved high success in college and don't want to play overseas, but would rather play here stateside as we send 4 guys from our league to the NBA every single year.

So it's for guys who aren't ready to give up on their NBA careers and want to be stateside to be ready for that callup. NBA talent at discounted pricing!

What makes the Sky Kings special?

We have a fantastic basketball product with some high achieving athletes, but the entertainment is first class with celebrities at games doing meet and greet. This weekend we have Marques Valdes-Scantling, Chiefs starting WR meeting fans!
On a scale from YMCA to NBA, what level of basketball is this?

A step below the NBA, equivalent to very high level overseas basketball. Our league sends 4 to 6 guys to the NBA every year. Most recently Lindy Waters who plays for the Oklahoma City was playing in our very division last year.

Who are some of the players this year on the team?

Isaac Johnson, Drafted by the Sacramento Kings and who is in their NBA G league program.
Terrell Brown, New Mexico State and WAC defensive player of the year
Brandon Watkins, standout at West Virginia University.
Teddy Allen, WAC Player of the Year at New Mexico State

You bring in a lot of celebriteis from athletes like MVS (this weekend) to Bow Wow to Kevin from the office and more. Where does this come from or why do you do this?

It's about making this attractive to non basketball fans! this is a family outing, a date night, a corporate event for people who don't necessarily like basketball. The mini games in the timeouts, the crowd engagement, the music playing throughout the game it's about making it fun for everybody! The celebrities are a piece of that!

What is the goal with the Sky Kings?

To win a championship, to have fun, and to bring quality minor league basketball to Wichita.

What else do you have up your sleeve for this season?

Hopefully a few NBA players at the end of the season. We already have Mario Chalmers, KU legend, and NBA champion with the Miami Heat doing a meet and greet and autographs at the game on the 30th.

Any closing comments?

This is first rate entertainment and first rate basketball. We routinely risk losing our guys to the NBA, and with the Summer league coming up we may lose some guys as this is the highest level of basketball you can play in the US outside of the NBA. If you don't like basketball you can come for the fun and entertainment, it's like a live music performance, with celebrity meet and greets meets basketball.

Thank you to Ben for answering the questions!

Check out the remaining Wichita Sky Kings home schedule here:

Friday 4/21 vs St. Louis @ 7pm - Guest: Chiefs Super Bowl Champ MVS
Saturday 4/22 vs Potawatomi @ 7pm
Friday 4/28 vs Rockwall @ 7pm
Sunday 4/30 vs Potawatoami @ 3pm - Guest: KU Legend & NBA Champ Mario Chalmers
Friday 5/5 vs W @ 7pm
Sunday 5/7 vs Enid @ 3pm
Sunday 5/28 vs Little Rock @ 3pm

Other Wichita Basketball

Wichita is a basketball city. We don't have a football team, but Wichitans love their basketball from the Shockers to the Aftershocks to the Sky Kings.

Wichita also has another professional team called the Wichita Wizards and you can learn more about them here.