Michael Beasley Lights Up TBT Debut With Kiss, Win

Beasley Returns to Bramlage Coliseum with a Show

Michael Beasley made his The Basketball Tournament debut back at Bramlage Coliseum, delivering a full‑scale showcase that recalled his college heyday. He logged a game‑high 20 points, dished out six assists, pulled down three rebounds and blocked two shots. Beasley also drilled two 3‑pointers, and after sinking his first he leaned into the Jayhawks’ bench, saying something that left the crowd chuckling. “It was fun; it was fun. I got a little sad out there,” Beasley said, recalling old memories with Mario Chalmers and other Kansas rivals.

Later in the contest he sparked a shoving match with Tra‑Deon Hollins, picking up a technical foul that added fuel to the rivalry. A few minutes after a dunk, Beasley confronted Carlton Bragg Jr., kissed his cheek, turned toward the Purple Reign bench and declared, “I kissed him.” “I don’t want to give him any life, but one of the players over there wasn’t playing basketball,” he added with a grin. The antics helped lift Purple Reign to an 80‑61 victory over the Kansas alumni squad.

Purple Reign Rolls Past Kansas Alumni 80‑61

Purple Reign outplayed JHX Hoops throughout, sealing a dominant 80‑61 win in front of 3,192 fans at the venue. Xavier Sneed and Austin Trice combined for 16 points, while Shaun Williams added another 15 and Cartier Diarra contributed a memorable three‑point effort. The Jayhawk‑alumni side was led by Billy Preston’s 15 points, but the defense couldn’t contain Beasley’s rhythm.

Coach Lance Harris guided Purple Reign to a clean sweep in the opening round, setting up a rematch on Wednesday, July 22, in Topeka. The win marked Beasley’s first career victory over Kansas on the Bramlage floor, extending his personal streak to “2‑0” against the program.

Key Numbers and Notable Plays

• Beasley: 20 pts, 6 ast, 3 reb, 2 blk, 2 3‑ptrs.
• Trice: One soaring slam that electrified the crowd.
• Sneed: 8 pts, multiple dunks.
• Williams: 15 pts off the bench.
• Diarra: Heroic three from deep in the fourth quarter.
• Technical foul incurred after a shove with Tra‑Deon Hollins.
• Post‑game quote: “I’m 2‑0. That kid’s crazy, right? I’ve never lost to them on this floor.”

Why This Performance Resonates

Beasley, the 2008 NBA Draft’s No. 2 overall pick, spent a single memorable season at Kansas State, earning Big 12 Player of the Year honors before moving to the pros. His brief but electric college tenure makes every appearance by the 35‑year‑old feel like a homecoming. The TBT format, which pits alumni squads against each other, offers a nostalgic platform for former stars to relive rivalries and deliver moments fans still talk about years later.

This game also served as a reminder of how Beasley’s personality can ignite a crowd, whether through trash talk, a late‑quarter kiss, or a technical foul that sparks debate. As Purple Reign prepares for the next round in Topeka, Beasley’s showmanship and scoring prowess suggest the series will be more than just a basketball contest—it’s a chance for fans to reconnect with a piece of Kansas basketball history.