Earlier this year, three Wichita organizations – Sunrise Christian Academy, Visit Wichita and the Wichita Sports Commission – announced a new partnership with the National Interscholastic Basketball Conference (NIBC) to host the first Air Capital Hoopfest December 1-3, 2022, at Charles Koch Arena on the Wichita State University campus. The three-day basketball showcase will feature six of the top high school basketball programs in the country.
In the original announcement, five teams were confirmed. The newest team to join the list of those competing is former Wichita State University basketball star PJ Couisnard’s team, Legacy – The School of Sports Sciences.
Starting today, tickets can be purchased online through Wichita State University’s ticket office. Adult single day ticket pricing starts at $15 plus fees.
Sunrise Christian Academy is one of six NIBC teams, and the only Kansas team, participating in the event. “We are so excited to bring together the great basketball city of Wichita, the National Interscholastic Basketball Conference, Sunrise Christian Academy and other talented teams to compete under the same roof at Charles Koch Arena,” said Luke Barnwell, head coach for Sunrise Christian Academy.
Josh Howell, vice president of sports development at Visit Wichita says the three-day basketball showcase is a great opportunity for Wichitans and basketball fans in the region to see top-notch talent and high-quality basketball. “Visit Wichita is proud to partner with NIBC, Sunrise Christian Academy and the Wichita Sports Commission and are looking forward to three great nights of basketball in the heart of the country. We encourage everyone to get their tickets and support this exciting new sporting event in Wichita,” he said.
Kevin Jenks, president/CEO of the Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission added, “The Air Capital Hoopfest is one you won’t want to miss. The NIBC represents the highest level of high school basketball in the country, and we are lucky to have one of those schools, Sunrise Christian Academy, right here in Wichita. We are thrilled to root for them in the first-ever Air Capital Hoopfest and can’t wait to see the crowd at Charles Koch Arena cheering them on too.”
Participating teams:
- Arizona Compass Prep (AZ)
- Bishop Walsh School (MD)
- Oak Hill Academy (VA)
- Sunrise Christian (KS)
- Wasatch Academy (UT)
- Legacy – The School of Sport Sciences (TX)
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About the National Interscholastic Basketball Conference (NIBC)
Founded in 2020, the NIBC is a preeminent collection of established high school academic institutions committed to elite, national basketball competition. The conference is comprised of 10 member institutions:
- AZ Compass Prep (Arizona)
- Bishop Walsh School (Maryland)
- IMG Academy (Florida)
- La Lumiere School (Indiana)
- Legacy Early College (South Carolina)
- LuHi (New York)
- Montverde Academy (Florida)
- Oak Hill Academy (Virginia)
- Sunrise Christian Academy (Kansas)
- Wasatch Academy (Utah)
Following the 2021-22 season, 10 players were selected as McDonald's All-Americans and 12 athletes were drafted to the NBA. The NIBC is currently home to six nationally ranked teams, a combined 16 of the top ESPN 100 recruits in the Class of 2023 (two in the top 10); nine top 50 recruits for 2024; and two top 25 recruits for 2025.
The NIBC provides a multi-media platform which includes a live, national television schedule and a dynamic social media presence (NIBCOfficial & SCNext) on IG, TikTok, Twitter, and YouTube.
Each team will compete in a 12-game regular season schedule for the 2022-23 season.
About Visit Wichita
Visit Wichita markets the Greater Wichita area and advocates for the city as a destination, increasing travel and tourism as a key economic driver for the city, county, region and state. Visit Wichita is led by president and CEO Susie Santo, and in 2019 travel and tourism contributed more than $1.1 billion in economic impact to the greater Wichita area.
About the Wichita Sports Commission
The Wichita Sports Commission (formerly the Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission) is a facilitator, driving the collaborative efforts of the region in attracting and hosting a wide variety of local, regional, and national sporting events at the youth, amateur, and professional level. Since 1997, the Wichita Sports Commission has facilitated over 650 events in the Wichita area with a combined economic impact of over $550 million. The Sports Commission also owns and operates annual events, including the: Prairie Fire Race Series, NBC Baseball Foundation and World Series, the Greater Wichita Sports Banquet featuring the Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher of the Year Award and the Wichita Corporate Challenge. The Commission provides the experience and expertise in sports marketing and event management that has established our region as a sports destination.
