Markquis Nowell stole the show in the first half of Kansas State's second-round NCAA Tournament game vs. Kentucky. And he did it without looking.
The diminutive senior guard dazzled fans with several no-look passes vs. Oscar Tshiebwe and 6-seed Kentucky, dishing no-look assists and perfectly placed lobs as Kansas State took a 29-26 lead over the Wildcats. That should be no surprise to Kansas State fans, considering he entered Sunday's March Madness game leading the team with 7.8 assists per game.
Nowell finished the half credited with three assists, including a last-second alley-oop to give Kansas State a 29-26 lead heading into halftime. He ultimately finished the 75-69 Kansas State victory with a game-high 27 points, nine rebounds and three steals, tied with teammate David N'Guessan. He also led the game with three made 3-point attempts, part of a 7-of-14 shooting day.
Here is a sampling of some of his heads-up passing and clutch field-goal shooting:
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Markquis Nowell highlights
Markquis Nowell with the VISION 👀#MarchMadness @KStateMBB pic.twitter.com/u58ZVXxPLN
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 19, 2023
Markquis Nowell is putting on a SHOW 🔥#MarchMadness @KStateMBB pic.twitter.com/vIB4v6Vx3t
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 19, 2023
NOWELL THE PASS ➡️ KEYONTAE THE FINISH
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 19, 2023
SHOWTIME FOR KANSAS STATE 🔥#MarchMadness @KStateMBB pic.twitter.com/fLbgCq4FEp
KANSAS STATE ENDS THE HALF IN STYLE 😱#MarchMadness @KStateMBB pic.twitter.com/ne9EKIrtIx
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 19, 2023
Markquis Nowell is dropping DIMES 🔥#MarchMadness @KStateMBB pic.twitter.com/FPL9YDF55u
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 19, 2023
MARKQUIS NOWELL LIMITLESS RANGE 🎯#MarchMadness @KStateMBB pic.twitter.com/BoRI5kWj4f
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 19, 2023
NOWELL AGAIN OH MY GOODNESS ☔️#MarchMadness @KStateMBB pic.twitter.com/a9NA75YYmF
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 19, 2023
Nowell was credited with both assists on the below 3-pointers, part of a 6-0 run for Kansas State.
KANSAS STATE IS MAKING IT RAIN IN GREENSBORO 🌧️#MarchMadness @KStateMBB pic.twitter.com/Ha082NaaJM
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 19, 2023
KEYONTAE JOHNSON. CLUTCH ‼️#MarchMadness @KStateMBB pic.twitter.com/sNOXsW8vOL
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 19, 2023
Nowell's display at Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, N.C. is the stuff March Madness is made of. Here's what else you need to know about Nowell:
MORE: March Madness schedule today: Times, TV channels, scores for Sunday's Round 2 NCAA Tournament games
How tall is Markquis Nowell?
Nowell is listed as 5-8 on Kansas State's roster — tied for the shortest player on the court with Kentucky's Kareem Watkins.
Where did Markquis Nowell go to high school?
Nowell attended St. Patrick High School in Elizabeth City, N.J. A three-star prospect per 247Sports' Composite ratings, Nowell was ranked as the 223rd-best player in the 2018 recruiting class, and the 37th-best guard.
Markquis Nowell Kansas State stats
- Points per game: 16.8
- Assist per game: 7.8
- Rebounds per game: 3.6
- Steals per game: 2.4