Every once in a while, a player will come around that captures the hearts of basketball fans everywhere with their strong play in March Madness. And, after his monster performance in Thursday’s 98-93 overtime win over Michigan State in the Sweet 16, Kansas State guard Markquis Nowell is that player this year.
His first true foray into the spotlight was in last week’s second-round win over Kentucky when he had 27 points and 9 assists. And, after the game, John Calipari called him “the little kid.”
Markquis Nowell put on a show against Kentucky. 🪣🔥@MrNewYorkCityy pic.twitter.com/qYjGCMD0Rs
— House of Highlights (@HoHighlights) March 20, 2023
Kentucky Coach John Calipari's opening statement after losing to #KState. The "Little Kid" @MrNewYorkCityy put up 27 points and 9 assists. #KStateMBB pic.twitter.com/aCu5kovOCf
— Rob Collins (@RCFOX4KC) March 19, 2023
Yes, he is little, at just 5-feet-8-inches, but he had an absolute monster performance in the aforementioned win against Michigan State. Nowell had 20 points and a March Madness record 19 assists, and in a game that close, each one of them were important.
MARKQUIS NOWELL ARE YOU KIDDING? 😱#MarchMadness @KStateMBB pic.twitter.com/35LynKFSFo
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 24, 2023
This alley-oop pass he threw to give the Wildcats the late lead in overtime was astonishing.
MARKQUIS NOWELL. ABSOLUTELY UNREAL.#MarchMadness @KStateMBB pic.twitter.com/iuih64m4Ex
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 24, 2023
Everything is coming full-circle for Nowell. He was born and raised in Harlem, and overlooked by many college coaches due to his size. He spent three years at Arkansas-Little Rock before transferring to Kansas State, and hadn’t been back in New York City in a few years. But, the East regional is at Madison Square Garden this year, and it’s quite the homecoming for the little guard.
Markquis Nowell is from New York City.
Markquis Nowell just set an NCAA Tournament record (19 assists) in New York City.
How wild is that? I asked the Harlem native where he rates that on the WILDMETER. @PardonMyTake pic.twitter.com/iXPFrMpOEo
— Jake Marsh (@PMTsportsbiz) March 24, 2023
And, Twitter is loving Nowell.
Dear Markquis Nowell,
Thanks for giving us one of the greatest individual performances in the history of the NCAA Tournament.
20 points and 19 assists — the most assists by one player EVER in the NCAA Tournament.
Sincerely,
America https://t.co/ERVCEGWy9n
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) March 24, 2023
Congratulations to Kansas State men's basketball team and especially point guard Markquis Nowell for becoming the NCAA Tournament record holder for assists in a game with 19 assists and 20 points.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) March 24, 2023
https://twitter.com/NicoleAuerbach/status/1639066759071408128?s=20
If you took LeBron James off the Lakers and replaced him with Markquis Nowell they're the No. 1 seed in the West.
— Tom Fornelli (@TomFornelli) March 24, 2023
Nowell will look to continue his fantastic run on Saturday as Kansas State looks for a trip to the Final Four.