18 February 2024
INDIANAPOLIS (KSNT) – A pair of fan-favorite former Wildcats were back together over the weekend in Indianapolis.
K-State products Markquis Nowell and Keyontae Johnson reunited at NBA All-Star weekend after both were selected to play in the NBA G-League Up Next game.
“That’s my brother,” Nowell told 27 News in an exclusive interivew. “[Keyontae] is somebody that I really bonded with over there the last couple years. I’m just super excited to see that we both made it.”
“Definitely good,” Johnson said. “We chilled out the whole weekend, went shopping and stuff. It was definitely good getting that K-State connection again, just talking and catching up on old times.”
The pair of former ‘Cats keep in touch with their old teammates and coaches in Manhattan, Kansas.
“I check up on them almost every day. Cam Carter, Tylor Perry, Coach Tang, I speak to those guys daily,” Nowell said, before providing a message to Wildcat fans: “I love y’all, EMAW for life.”
Their time with K-State wasn’t lengthy, two seasons for Nowell and only one for Johnson, but holds a spot in their hearts.
“It was definitely one of the best years of my life,” Johnson said. “Just getting the love and support from the fan base and knowing that every one of them guys is going to be behind me, especially Coach Tang and the coaching staff.”
The 2023-24 K-State team has hit highs and lows. The Wildcats, at the time of this article being published, have lost six of their last seven games. 27 Sports Director Glenn Kinley asked the duo, which led the team to an Elite 8 in 2022-23, what their message is for this year’s team.
“Just stay connected,” Johnson said. “Stay consistent… stay together and don’t fold under pressure.”
“Stick with it, man,” Nowell said. “Continue to keep working hard, they have a great leader in Coach Tang. So, just stick with it. It will figure itself out like it always does. I’m rooting for them.”
Nowell didn’t take the court for Sunday’s G-League All-Star game, due to a lingering hamstring injury, but the two were both hoping they’d have ended up on the same team. Johnson suited up for ‘Team Giraffe Stars’ while Nowell was selected to join ‘Team BallIsLife.’
As for what would have happened if the K-State alums faced off?
“I would definitely [poster] Markquis, for sure.” Johnson said.
The NCAA tournament record-holder for single-game assists disputed that claim.
“We would’ve definitely competed against each other,” Nowell said. “[Keyontae] is my boy… but I think I’d win.”
Nowell is playing for the Toronto Raptors G-League affiliate, Raports 905. Johnson is a member of the Oklahoma City Thunder organization, averaging 20.3 points per game for the Oklahoma City Blue.