Media Contact:
Jemelle Holopirek, Director of Public Relations: jholopirek@visitwichita.com, 316.660.6319
Third Air Capital Hoopfest set to take place in February 2025
Wichita, Kansas (Jan. 9, 2025) – For the third year in a row, the top high school basketball talent will be in Wichita as Sunrise Christian Academy hosts the Air Capital Hoopfest. It is set to take place Feb. 7-8, 2025, at Fugate Gymnasium on the Newman University campus in Wichita, Kansas. Operated by Paragon Marketing, the two-day boys basketball showcase will feature four of the top high school basketball programs in the country: Sunrise Christian Academy, Link Academy, AZ Compass Prep, and Veritas Academy.
Many of the top 2025 and 2026 recruits in the country are slated to participate including Sunrise’s own 2026 ranked class of Chidi Nwigwe, Gavin Placide, Gallagher Placide, and Aidan Chronister.
“The four teams set to compete in the Air Capital Hoopfest represent the highest level of high school basketball in the country, and we are lucky to have one of those schools, Sunrise Christian Academy, right here in Wichita. We are thrilled to cheer them on in the third edition of the Air Capital Hoopfest,” said Josh Howell, vice president of sports development at Visit Wichita. “It’s a great opportunity for locals and basketball fans in the region to see top-notch talent and high-quality basketball on the court in the Wichita community.”
Sunrise Christian Academy Head Coach Kyle Lindsted says the tournament is a great opportunity to bring together four talented teams in the academy’s home city of Wichita. “I’m excited to have such a talented field of teams and players in this year’s Air Capital Hoopfest. It is an honor for us to host such a high-level basketball event in our city, and we are excited to represent our school and our community.”
In addition to Sunrise Christian Academy, other teams playing in the tournament include AZ Compass Prep (Chandler, Ariz.), Veritas Academy (Los Angeles, Calif.) and Link Academy (Branson, Mo.).
“The Air Capital Hoopfest is going to be two amazing days of basketball competition,” said Kevin Jenks, president/CEO of the Wichita Sports Commission. “Kyle Lindsted and his squad at Sunrise Christian Academy are one of the nation’s elite basketball schools, and we are proud to partner with them and Visit Wichita to bring top level high school hoops to Wichita.”
Schedule:
- Friday, Feb. 7:
- 6 p.m.: Link Academy vs. AZ Compass Prep
- 8 p.m.: Sunrise Christian Academy vs. Veritas Academy
- Saturday, Feb 8:
- 3 p.m.: AZ Compass Prep vs. Veritas Academy
- 5 p.m.: Sunrise Christian Academy vs. Link Academy
Notable Information and Players to Watch:
- 3 ESPN Top 25 Teams (Sunrise Christian Academy, Link Academy, AZ Compass Prep)
- Key Sunrise Christian Academy players:
- 5-star recruit, 2026: Chidi Nwigwe (recruited by Tennessee, Baylor, Illinois and others)
- 4-star recruit, 2026: Aidan Chronister (recruited by Michigan, Alabama, Oklahoma, Nebraska and others)
- 4-star recruits, 2026: Gavin and Gallagher Placide (recruited by Iowa, Texas Tech, Cal and others)
- 4-star recruit, 2025: Mekhi Ragland (committed to Oklahoma State)
- Key Link Academy players:
- 5-star recruit, 2025: Chris Cenac (committed to Houston)
- 4-star recruit, 2025: Davion Hannah (committed to Alabama)
- 4-star recruit, 2026: Keonte Greybear (recruited by Kansas, Texas A&M, Oklahoma State and others)
- 2025: Andre Iguodala Jr. (son of former NBA player Andre Iguodala)
- Key AZ Compass Prep players:
- 5-star recruit, 2026: Miikka Muurinen
- 4-star recruit, 2025: Davis Fogle (committed to Gonzaga)
- 4-star recruit, 2025: Jeremiah Green (committed to Texas A&M)
- 5-star recruit, 2026: Kaden House (son of former NBA player Eddie House)
- Key Veritas Academy player:
- 4-star recruit, 2025: Juan Guerrero Hernandez
Ticketing:
- Day 1 Tickets – Purchase Here
- Day 2 Tickets – Purchase Here
- Weekend Pass – Purchase Here
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About Visit Wichita
Visit Wichita markets the Greater Wichita area and advocates for the city as a destination, increasing travel and tourism as a key economic driver for the city, county, region and state. Visit Wichita is led by president and CEO Susie Santo, and in 2022 travel and tourism contributed more than $1.5 billion in economic impact to the greater Wichita area.
About the Wichita Sports Commission
Since 1997, the Wichita Sports Commission has facilitated more than 650 events in the Wichita area with a combined economic impact of over $550 million. The Sports Commission also owns and operates annual events including the: Prairie Fire Race Series, the Greater Wichita Sports Banquet featuring the Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher of the Year Award, Wichita Corporate Challenge and annual Wichita Turkey Trot. The Sports Commission provides the experience and expertise in sports marketing and event management that has established the region as a sports destination.
About Paragon Marketing Group
Paragon Marketing Group is a corporate consulting agency specializing in sports, entertainment and cause related sponsorships. Paragon has collaborated with ESPN over the past 18 years to deliver over 700 live high school sports telecasts featuring many of the top teams and players in the nation. Paragon collaborates with ESPN on the ESPN High School Basketball Showcase, GEICO High School Basketball Nationals and others.
