SACRAMENTO, Calif. — As the Stockton Kings enjoyed a brief respite following their fifth consecutive victory against Rip City last Sunday, players geared up for the penultimate home game of the regular season against Santa Cruz that Thursday. The game, scheduled for 7 p.m., conveniently allowed the team to tune into the first day of the NCAA Tournament, a prospect that excited the players, many of whom were former college basketball standouts.
Stanley Johnson, an Arizona alum and Stockton Kings forward, expressed his enthusiasm for the tournament, recalling his own journey to the Elite 8 with the Wildcats. "I love basketball," Johnson said. "I’m super focused on what we have going on here, of course. But the games start at 9:30 in the morning and they end late at night. I could eventually watch some of them." His alma mater, a No. 2 seed, was set to face No. 15 Long Beach State, bringing an added layer of personal interest for Johnson.
The matchup was also significant for Gabe Levin, another forward for the Stockton Kings, who hailed from Long Beach State, also known as The Beach. Levin spoke fondly of his time at the university and his relationship with Coach Dan Monson. "I have a great relationship with Coach (Monson), I’m always around the program even after I left," Levin remarked. "Long Beach has such a high expectation of winning every year. At least, making the tourney. We fell short, but it’s always fun to compete."
Long Beach State's entry into the 2024 NCAA Tournament followed a dramatic victory over UC Davis in the Big West Tournament championship held in Henderson, Nevada. This triumph came amidst a tumultuous week for the university, which saw the firing of head coach Dan Monson, although he was allowed to conclude the season. Levin's and Johnson's alma maters clashing in the tournament added a personal stake to the excitement surrounding the NCAA's first round, blending their professional commitments with the collegiate legacies they carried forward.
As the Stockton Kings focused on continuing their winning streak and securing a strong finish to their season, the NCAA Tournament offered a moment of reflection and camaraderie for players bonded by their shared love for the game and its roots in college basketball. With the tournament games unfolding, Johnson, Levin, and their teammates watched closely, cheering for their former teams while staying primed for their own upcoming challenges.
