KPA History
The KPA started in 1994 in Owensboro, Kentucky. Coach Michael Stinnett had a vision that Kentucky needed a summer event, that would develop and challenge the better players in the state and surrounding areas. The KPA started very small the first year, and every year has grown to include teams and players from all over the World. NBA and overseas pros from all over the world have played in the KPA. The KPA is an event that professional scouts take very seriously, because they are aware of the history and the great competition. Several players over the years have received professional contracts based on their play in the KPA. The summer of 2021, will mark the 24th year for the event, and will include a summer league (Dates TBA). The KPA will be held in Las Vegas again this year at the Las Vegas Convention Center during the NBA Summer League.
Former NBA and current pro in Israel Donta Smith lead his Team Stone team to the 2010 Championship.
Former KPA Most Valuable Players
1995 Marcus Bodie (David Lipscomb College)
1996 Willis Cheaney (Kentucky Wesleyan College)
1997 Dirk Surles (George Washington University/Russia)
1998 Dana Williams (Kentucky Wesleyan College)
1999 Corey Crowder (Kentucky Wesleyan College/Utah Jazz)
2000 Marc Salyers (Samford University/France)
2001 Heson Groves (Winthrop University/Argentina/Portugal
2002 BJ Flynn (University of Louisville)
2003 Jeff Gibbs (Otterbein/Germany/Japan)
2004 Tyron Lee (Missouri, ABA)
2005 Sanjey Adell (Ohio University/France)
2006 Lamar Owen (Southern Illinois/Iceland)
2007 Andre Owens (Houston/Indiana Pacers NBA/Russia)
2008 Jermaine Dearman(Southern Illinois/France)
2009 Jabarri Smith (LSU/NBA/Overseas)
2010 Donta Smith (Southeastern Ill. J.C./Venezuela)
2011 Brandon Morris (Wisconsin Green Bay/Egypt)
2012 & 13 Two Year Lay Off
2014 Antonio Ballard (Miami Ohio/Switzerland)
2015 Nate Johnson (Louisville/Asia)
2016 D'Angelo Russell (Ohio State/Los Angeles Lakers)
2017 Ken-Jah Bosley (Kentucky Wesleyan/Palestine)
2018 Johnathan Loyd (Oregon/Germany)
2019 Tysean Powell (Cumberland/Duquesne)
2020 COVID - Event was not held
Former KPA Team Champions
1995 SSPB Sunday School (Nashville, Tn.)
1996 Boiler Room Bar (Owensboro, KY)
1997 Auto Roma Bad Boyz (Evansville, In)
1998 Owensboro Bulls (Owensboro, Ky)
1999 Independence Bank (Owensboro, KY)
2000 2nd Chance Auto Sales (Owensboro, KY)
2001 Ten Deep (Knoxville, TN)
2002 Brescia University (Owensboro, Ky)
2003 Ten Deep (Knoxville, TN)
2004 Fraternal Order of Eagles (Pro-Am Select)
2005 New Beginnings (Columbus, OH)
2006 Louisville Lightning (Louisville, KY)
2007 Kenny Kings (Indianapolis, Ind.)
2008 Kenny Kings (Indianapolis, Ind.)
2009 Team Atlanta (Atlanta, Ga.)
2010 Team Stone (Louisville, Ky.)
2011 JB Auto (Kenosha, Wisc.)
2012 & 2013 Two Year Lay Off
2014 Team Southern Indiana (New Albany, Indiana)
2015 Overseas Pros (Louisville, Kentucky)
2016 KPA Select #1 (Louisville, Kentucky)
2017 Free Agency Celtics (Spain) *held in Las Vegas
2018 Coach Mo KPA Pros (Nevada, Las Vegas) *held in Vegas
2019 KPA Asia (Coach Sam Casey) *held in Las Vegas
2020 COVID-Event was not held
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Former NBA and current pro in Austria Andre Owens was named MVP in 2007 and lead his team Kenny Kings to back to back KPA crowns. Owens was a standout in the Big 3 this past summer.
The Louisville Lightning were the 2006 KPA Champs. The Lightning were lead by former Louisville and overseas veteran Nate Johnson. Also on the team was former Murray State and current Northern Kentucky Assistant Coach Chris Shumate. Lamar Owen (Southern Illinois) was named MVP.
D'Angelo Russell led KPA Select to the 2016 KPA Championship.
