How a few ‘lucky’ Wichita State basketball members played pickup hoops with Adam Sandler

Adam Sandler is known for finding a pickup basketball game wherever he goes.

The famous comedian’s time in Wichita was no exception, as Sandler played some pickup hoops with members of the Wichita State men’s basketball team at Koch Arena this past Sunday before his show at Intrust Bank Arena that evening.

“He was throwing some dimes out there,” said WSU player Henry Thengvall, who played with Sandler. “It was definitely really cool. We were lucky to be there. He was just like a normal guy with his friends.”

Sandler, 57, has become known for his affinity for pickup basketball in New York City and while filming movies like “Uncut Gems” and “Hustle.”

Since he was scheduled to come to Wichita for a Dec. 10 show as part of the countrywide “I Missed You” tour, Intrust Bank Arena event manager Claire Wiens proactively reached out to Brad Pittman, WSU’s senior associate athletic director for facilities, to start preparing for the possibility of Sandler playing at Koch Arena.

The final confirmation from Sandler’s camp on when he would arrive in Wichita didn’t come until Sunday afternoon, when he was already flying in from Oklahoma City. And he had a small request.

“People always ask me what is the most unique request I’ve ever gotten from a tour, and I’d have say a place to shoot some hoops and if I knew anyone who would want to play 3-on-3 with Adam Sandler might be it,” Wiens said. “I can’t thank Brad Pittman and his team at WSU enough. The Sandler team was amazing to work with. Having the opportunity to coordinate the show at Intrust Bank Arena with Live Nation and Happy Madison Productions was an experience I will never forget.”

Pittman had to work on the fly to make sure a gym was available to Sandler because the main floor at Koch Arena was hosting a women’s basketball game between WSU and KU and the practice gym was being used by the volleyball team. He was able to accommodate Sandler and his camp any time after 2 p.m.

“They were really nice guys and you couldn’t ask for anything better from them,” Pittman said. “They ended up asking if we had a couple of guys who would want to play pickup, so I had to make a call. We didn’t want a circus. We wanted to keep it private, so they wouldn’t be bothered.”

Pittman’s first call went to WSU director of player development Iain Laymon, who grew up idolizing Sandler from comedies like “Happy Gilmore,” “Billy Madison” and “The Waterboy.” He said it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience to be able to play basketball with Sandler.

“You don’t want to treat him like a celebrity, like he’s any different, but it was hard not to act like you’re not a huge fan,” Laymon said. “Adam Sandler movies are what I grew up watching. I just kept thinking, ‘Don’t tell him I loved him in Billy Madison.’”

Laymon reached out to WSU graduate manager Justin Anderson to invite him to the exclusive run, which was happening in 20 minutes. Anderson was about to begin a workout on WSU’s off-day with players Ronnie DeGray III, Isaac Abidde and Thengvall, who all tailed along.

The afternoon with Sandler was kept so secret that some of the WSU players didn’t find out about it until DeGray posted a picture with Sandler, who played in baggy maroon shorts and a floral polo, the following day on social media.

Sandler, who told the players he had just recovered from hip surgery, had four friends with him, so the WSU team members took turns rotating in to play 3-on-3 halfcourt inside the practice gym.

Sandler’s passing drew rave reviews from those in attendance.

“He was such a good passer,” Laymon said. “I didn’t realize I could give up so many backdoors until I played against him. He’s one of those guys where it doesn’t matter where you are, if you cut, the ball could come to you even if you don’t think that you’re open. He was throwing some really nice passes.”

The best part for the WSU team members came following the pickup runs, which already was a great memory, when Sandler offered all five of them free tickets to his show later that night at Intrust Bank Arena.

“And that was all him too. No one asked him for that, he just offered it to us,” Laymon said. “He was just a really awesome guy.”