Even though Kansas State couldn’t quite get past Florida Atlantic in the Elite Eight, Wildcats senior guard Markquis Nowell had one of the best men’s NCAA tournaments of any player ever.
After Nowell’s historic Sweet 16 performance against Michigan State, he continued that stellar play in the Elite Eight.
It was special to watch him bank an incredible 3-pointer while falling on a hobbled ankle or see him execute that stunning sequence where people thought he pulled off a fake argument with coach Jerome Tang to set up a basket.
Nowell actually finished his 2023 men’s NCAA tournament as the only player in men’s college basketball history to record 80-plus points, 50-plus assists and 10-plus steals.
Markquis Nowell is the ONLY player in men's CBB history to record these numbers in the tournament. ????
(h/t @cbssports) pic.twitter.com/oC2pRJAlfD
— theScore (@theScore) March 26, 2023
You can see how he tallied up all these points, assists and steals in four games below.
Markquis Nowell in the tournament ⭐️
17 PTS | 14 AST | 3 STL
27 PTS | 9 AST | 3 STL
20 PTS | 19 AST | 5 STL
30 PTS | 12 AST | 5 STL pic.twitter.com/I2OHfULvoB
— Overtime (@overtime) March 26, 2023
Markquis Nowell’s combined numbers in four #NCAATournament games for @KStateMBB…
94 points
54 assists (NCAA record 19 in a game)
16 steals
That’s one helluva an effort by @MrNewYorkCityy pic.twitter.com/cK3VakCsQT
— Jason Lamb (@JasonLambKSN) March 26, 2023
Nowell also joined some fantastic company with his tournament performance.
Despite the loss, Markquis Nowell did something that hadn't been done since '03 ???? pic.twitter.com/4yy0LEgkCv
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) March 26, 2023
Elite company for Markquis Nowell ???? @KStateMBB pic.twitter.com/0jbDNE5Q4H
— ESPN (@espn) March 25, 2023
Nowell showed his appreciation for all the support his team had garnered during their impressive men’s NCAA tournament run.
K-State Nation I Love You! I Gave My Heart & Soul To Y’all. I’m Truly Blessed And Thankful That I Got A Chance To Spend My Last Year With This Team & Coaching Staff. It Was A Memorable Ride & I Just Thank Everyone Who Was Apart And Show Loved!!! #EMAW ????
— Markquis Nowell (@MrNewYorkCityy) March 26, 2023
His brother, Marcus Nowell, talked about why he was so proud of his sibling after his incredible March Madness run.
Marcus Nowell (@SelfMadeCapo) is a proud brother.
On Markquis:
"Even though we lost the game, he won in the long run."@NealJoneskctv5 @KCTV5 @MrNewYorkCityy#KStateMBB pic.twitter.com/B3VArSzCG0
— Marleah Campbell (@MarleahKCTV5) March 26, 2023
Nowell’s basketball future is uncertain, but it feels like he’ll get a chance at some level to prove himself at the professional level. After this stunning tournament run, he deserves it.
