Three Wichita organizations – Sunrise Christian Academy, Visit Wichita and the Wichita Sports Commission – are collaborating with the National Interscholastic Basketball Conference (NIBC) to host the first Air Capital Hoopfest Dec. 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.
Josh Howell, vice president of sports development at Visit Wichita, says the all-new basketball event in Wichita 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 we are looking forward to three great nights of basketball in the Heart of the Country. We encourage everyone to get your tickets and support this exciting new sporting event in Wichita,” he said.
Sunrise Christian Academy, whose program has produced more than 100 Division I men’s college basketball players and heads into this season ranked No. 4 nationally, is the only team from Kansas 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.
Participating teams:
- Arizona Compass Prep (AZ)
- Bishop Walsh School (MD)
- Oak Hill Academy (VA)
- Sunrise Christian Academy (KS)
- Wasatch Academy (UT)
- Legacy – The School of Sport Sciences (TX)
Another team with a Wichita connection is Legacy – The School of Sports Sciences, which is tied to PJ Couisnard, former Wichita State University basketball star.
How to watch and ticket information
Tickets can be purchased online through Wichita State University’s ticket office. Adult single day ticket pricing starts at $15 plus fees. Broadcast information for the games will be announced at a later date.
More about the National Interscholastic Basketball Conference
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.
Continue to watch our Calendar of Events for exciting sports action happening throughout the year and other sporting events headed to the Heart of the Country in 2023.