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Zeke Mayo Says Representing Kansas Means More Than TBT's $2 Million Prize
For Zeke Mayo, playing in The Basketball Tournament has never been about the money.
The former Kansas guard made that clear following JHX Hoops' 62-55 victory over Purple Reign in the deciding game of their first-round series Friday night, saying the opportunity to wear a Kansas uniform again outweighs the tournament's $2 million winner-take-all prize.
"Especially for me, I don't do this for money. I love to wear this uniform. Frankly, the same. I know these two feel the same. It's never been about the money for me. It is a lot of money. Don't get me wrong. For sure, it is a lot of money, but I just love the game of basketball. I love playing. I'll wear this till I die. I'm going to go out there and put everything on the line for this team for sure."
Mayo backed up those words with his best performance of the tournament, scoring a game-high 25 points to help JHX Hoops erase a double-digit deficit and eliminate the Kansas State alumni team.
The Lawrence native said the rivalry victory carried extra meaning after losing his only collegiate game at Bramlage Coliseum while playing for Kansas and struggling during JHX Hoops' Game 1 loss earlier in the week.
"It means a lot obviously... just to beat the purple again. My one time playing here, I lost, so it stung a little bit. Then we came out here and kind of laid an egg on Tuesday. So, I just wanted to come out here and redeem myself."
Mayo has been one of JHX Hoops' top performers throughout the tournament, averaging 17.3 points per game while providing veteran leadership for a roster filled with former Jayhawks.
After spending last season with the Cleveland Charge in the NBA G League and later appearing for the Atlanta Hawks in NBA Summer League, Mayo returned to Kansas this summer for another opportunity to compete in front of Jayhawk fans.
His latest performance helped send JHX Hoops to the TBT quarterfinals, where the Kansas alumni squad will face defending champion AfterShocks with a spot in the semifinals on the line.
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