A Run Defined by Resilience
Kansas head coach Bill Self took a moment after the alumni finals of The Basketball Tournament to acknowledge the surprising journey of JHX Hoops, the former Jayhawks squad that fell 78‑65 to Kentucky’s La Familia for the championship of the alumni bracket.
Despite a slow start against Kansas State and a narrow victory over Wichita State’s AfterShocks, the team displayed a gritty adaptability that Self said was "impressive" and "hard‑fought". Their ability to rally after early setbacks kept them alive long enough to contest the final.
Self singled out Jacob Hanna as the most striking figure, noting his winning mentality and commitment to playing the right way. He also commended Billy Preston and Carlton Bragg Jr. for adjusting to the team’s needs, and added Zeke Mayo and Frank Mason III to the list of contributors who helped the cause.
Awards, Praise and Consequences
The coach expressed hope that the alumni team’s success would inspire more former Kansas players to join similar squads in future editions of the tournament, a sentiment that reflects the program’s growing influence beyond the regular season.
However, the excitement was tempered by on‑court chaos that followed the semifinal win over the AfterShocks. An in‑game tie‑up escalated into multiple ejections, and Marcus Keene was subsequently handed an indefinite suspension from TBT events.
Self called the post‑game altercations "ridiculous and uncalled for", emphasizing that the ensuing brawl was "unnecessary" and detracted from what had been a commendable performance.
The Basketball Tournament, the competition that hosted the alumni bracket, will likely review the incident as it moves forward, while Kansas University Athletics continues to monitor the situation and its implications for future alumni collaborations.