The annual March Madness tournament has changed the lives of many college students who have walked through the gauntlet, and for Amir Khan, it took only one tournament run to forever change the way the sports world views student-managers.
The Laker Fan of Lake Charles
2002 was an incredible year for the Los Angeles Lakers. They were dominating the NBA, winning their third consecutive championship, and their fan base was the biggest amongst the 30-team association.
Little did they know that one of their best supporters, Amir Khan, was born in the same year, 1,689 miles away, in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Although he grew up with Chris Paul playing right down the street, it was impossible to ignore the charisma of the Purple & Gold.
Watching Kobe Bryant become a one-man wrecking crew for the Lakers in the mid-2000s introduced a love for basketball Amir didn’t know existed.
“I’m a huge Kobe fan, and he was the first athlete who I really watched just to watch him, you know?” Khan said. “Like, obviously, I’d watch the Lakers, I’m a Lakers fan because of him. I’d watch them, I’d watch LSU over here, football, basketball, they’re the local teams, but… but Kobe, he was just, he was different.” – Amir elaborated further on his love for Bryant and the impact Kobe had on his household.
“Just watching him made me love the game of basketball and want to be like him. I just wanted to play like him. I would always say he’s a huge, huge reason why basketball is so important to me,” Khan said. “And then, it was a sport that my dad loved a lot. My siblings loved it a lot. It was the easiest one for us to play just with each other. We’d go outside, shoot around, or just play against each other and practice.”
Sports became a regular part of the Khan family identity. After setting up a goal in their driveway, the sound of the basketball hitting the rim became synonymous with the neighborhood.
Kentucky Blue
Seeing the orange cylinder enticed other kids to knock on their door and hoop from dawn until late at night. By the age of 10, he was hooping every day, and the arrival of a future Hall of Famer would forever change his perspective on basketball.
In 2012, about 749 miles east of Louisiana, Anthony Davis was leading the surging Kentucky Wildcats throughout the star-studded SEC. There was no doubt that the best prospect on planet earth after watching him perform in 40 games.
Anthony was undoubtedly the best prospect on planet earth, dominating in post, averaging 14.2 points and 10.4 rebounds per game. The most impressive facet of his game was his defense, leading the conference with an incredible 4.7 blocks per game.
At 19 years old, he captivated the globe heading into the March Madness tournament. The Wildcats were an absolute powerhouse, ending the NCAA regular season 33-2.
By the spring of 2012, Davis was slated to be the No. 1 pick, and his selection was solidified after leading the Wildcats to their eighth national title on April 2. Their championship run provided Amir with an unforgettable memory, just like every other basketball-obsessed child.
If he wasn’t watching the Lakers during their late-night matchups, he was watching Davis, which was understandable for a 10-year-old Amir, since the New Orleans Hornets were struggling mightily.
They finished the 2011-12 NBA season 21-45, but their abysmal performance would be rewarded with a generational talent.
The Beginning Of The Brow
During the 2011-12 playoffs, the Lakers were pursuing their third championship in four years, but the rising Oklahoma City Thunder stifled their aspirations of gold. Seeing Bryant and his ensemble lose in the semi-finals left Amir with no basketball to watch.
As the league year came to a close, the New Orleans were hoping for a revival after losing Chris Paul in free agency to a rising Clippers team in the summer of 2011. Just like the 26 seasons that came before, it was time for the annual NBA Draft Lottery, and the Hornets were forced to let ping pong balls decide the fate of their franchise.
Luckily for all the residents of New Orleans, they had a 13.70% chance to win the lottery, and the odds would indeed be in their favor. On May 30th, 2012, the New Orleans Hornets were awarded the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA Draft.
There was no question about who the No. 1 pick would be, and David Stern would confirm our suspicions with one sentence. Anthony Davis shook the commissioner’s hand, and just like that, the Hornets’ nest was buzzing again.
“Watching him at Kentucky, and then him knowing he was coming to New Orleans, I was really excited for it. He was a generational talent when he came out,” Khan said. “The way he plays both sides of the ball, he’s one of the best defenders in the NBA. I was super excited for it, just watching him in New Orleans.“Chris Paul leaving left a bit of a hole in terms of a true star, and then obviously Anthony Davis definitely closed that hole for them.” – Amir further discussed the impact of losing Paul for Davis.
New Era In New Orleans
With a new star coming to New Orleans, Amir Khan was finally intrigued by his hometown team, and he could actually attend the games to witness the defensive powers of Davis in person.
“I love Anthony Davis. I’m a big fan of him. I always think he’s underrated, just because of what he does on the defensive side, and he’ll give you 25 and 10 every night. So, yeah, I’m a huge AD fan.”
As the years passed, Davis ushered in a new basketball culture in the city, and Khan experienced the paradigm shift firsthand. While Anthony was shining for the Hornets, rumors of a name change began to swirl.
Then, owner Tom Benson wanted to capitalize on their new franchise centerpiece by establishing a new franchise altogether.
The Flight Of The Pelicans
It was out with the old as the Hornets returned to Charlotte, and it was in with the New Orleans Pelicans.
Benson restored order within the Louisiana basketball community, and Khan was among the many kids excited for a fresh start. Unfortunately, there wouldn’t be much to celebrate.
The era of “AD23” culminated in an appearance in the 2015 Western Conference Semifinals, where they lost to the Golden State Warriors, who went on to become the champions 52 days later.
Although Davis represented the city of New Orleans in the NBA All-Star Game on six occasions, he made the playoffs only twice in his seven-year tenure. Like every other great player to pick up a ball, he craved greatness and a championship most of all.
It was apparent he would leave soon, but to Khan’s surprise, the disappointing departure worked out in his favor. The 26-year-old superstar boarded a private jet to Los Angeles as a result of a blockbuster trade on July 6th, 2019, becoming even more of a fan favorite in Amir’s eyes.
Many fans were sad Anthony left, but the impact he had on Amir was solidified. Seeing a superstar player in his hometown inspired him to pursue his own greatness on the court. His love for basketball was at an all-time high, and his mind began to race with ideas of a life around the sport.
A Family’s Tradition
He had to be realistic; making the NBA was a pipe dream. Before he knew it, the year was 2020, and his senior year of high school arrived.
With his next chapter over the horizon, Khan began to think about potential destinations to spend his young adulthood, and his love for his family inspired him to continue an educational tradition.
“It [McNeese] was a local school, I did think about going to LSU since it’s two hours away from school, so I definitely did think about going there, just because it was always my dream school,” Khan said. “But, after thinking about it, I wanted to stay (close to) home, and I’ve seen McNeese fans. Three of my older siblings went there. I was excited to go there, and that’s what made me apply, you know, just wanted to stay at home, but also, you know, wanting to go to McNeese, and follow the path of my siblings.”
McNeese State has always had a rich culture. Established in the fall of 1939, the 87-year-old campus is surrounded by beautiful brown & beige architecture. The luscious vegetation welcomes new students every year as they walk the grounds for the first time, but Amir wasn’t given this luxury due to the infamous Coronavirus pandemic.
The Winning Will Wade
Amir was subjected to online school for the first year and a half, along with the rest of the incoming freshmen who were robbed of their traditional high school graduations and lavish prom nights. Khan became burnt out by the online courses, and when campus allowed in-person classes, he was one of the first to register.
As the years passed, so did the fear of the pandemic. Classes began to fill again, and so did the school gymnasiums. Khan would watch the McNeese State Cowboys whenever given the chance, either in person or on TV.
The school had a devout fanbase, showing up to support their team regardless of their struggles on the court. Before Amir’s arrival in 2020, the Cowboys suffered eight consecutive losing seasons, and three more followed through Khan’s junior year in 2023.
Meanwhile, the LSU Tigers were suffering as well, losing 14-19, after feasting on the competition from 2017 to ‘22. It was all thanks to head coach Will Wade and his mind for the game.
Unfortunately, one bad season was all it took for the LSU Athletic administration to fire the young head coach, opening the door for a new chapter.
Becoming The Manager Of McNeese
After the news broke that LSU relieved Will Wade of his duties, many teams were interested in him after his five-year campaign with the Fighting Tigers. On March 12, 2023, McNeese State won the sweepstakes, ushering in a new era of basketball for the Cowboys.
“I’m a huge LSU basketball fan, and then Coach Will Wade ended up coming to McNeese. He was my favorite coach in basketball, just because of what he did for the LSU basketball program. So, with him coming down here, I was like, ‘I have to work for him.’”
Seeing Wade’s announcement surprised Khan, who had always had a soft spot for LSU, being a native of the state. The school was excited about their new beginning, and to capitalize on their new coach, they created a new Student-Manager role. They used the power of social media to announce the new job opening.
Amir saw the post, and after witnessing his favorite coach get a new opportunity, he was inspired to pursue his own.
“I feel like it’s just, you don’t get the opportunity a lot where you get to work for your favorite coach.’ You know?, especially because it’s a smaller school, the basketball program wasn’t really doing well before that, and we knew he would change it right away.”
And he did just that. Wade arrived on campus and established a new culture in the locker room, which Amir wanted to be a part of. He officially joined the team for the 2023-24 season.
The Dirty Work
Of course, just like every other passion, you must work to reap the fruits of your labor, and Amir was willing to do whatever it took to make his childhood dream a reality. He took the unpaid position and immediately got to work.
He made his presence felt by going above & beyond from his first day on the job. Amir began doing the little things at the behest of Wade and his new coaching staff. Every time they need something, Khan would be the first to get out of his chair, and his dedication allowed him to see a different side of the game that fans aren’t blessed to witness.
“It was fun being able to be involved in some of the weightlifting workouts, shooting workouts, shooting drills, and just being involved in practice, and helping out with little things, whatever the coaching staff needed me to do, and just how much the players work. You know, I think even, you know, watching, being a huge basketball fan, being a huge sports fan before, one thing I didn’t really notice is how hard the players work.”
Khan further discussed the eye-opening revelation of the team’s work ethic and his emotions watching the players chase their dreams.
“They’re doing this every single day, you know? It’s not just game day; even on off days in the off-season, you know? The season doesn’t start until November, but they’re in there in June, and getting work in every single day, workouts, shooting. They’re there for practice, and it’s a full-time thing, and the work that they put in is impressive. how dedicated they are to their, you know, to their jobs, because that’s what it really is.”
Consistency & Cohesion
The Cowboys were adapting to their new coach’s tendencies, and as November approached, it was time to put their hard work to the test. They opened up their season with an 11-point win over VCU, and rattled off four consecutive victories.
It set the tone for the rest of the season. From that warm fall evening in ‘23 to the bolstering heat of spring in ‘24, the Cowboys dominated the Midwest Region, finishing the year 30-4.
The incredible turnaround was spoiled by a 20-point loss to Gonzaga on March 21, 2024, but it was clear that Wade’s teachings had taken the school to an entirely new level.
As the Cowboys sat at home, the UConn Huskies took home their sixth NCAA Tournament trophy, with Stephon Castle and Donovan Clingan leading the way.
Back In The Saddle
While the world was focused on the Huskies, Coach Wade was already thinking of ways to improve.
It wouldn’t be hard to find new talent. After making the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 22 years, students from across the NCAA saw the potential in McNeese, inspiring them to enter the habitual transfer portal.
The floodgates opened, welcoming a slew of four-star prospects, including Joe Charles Jr, Quadir Copeland, and Sincere Parker. In total, seven new players joined the team, and that is a lot of new egos for a coach to handle, especially in his second year.
Wade’s coaching staff tried their best to recapture the camaraderie of the 2023-24 roster, but a few scrimmages wouldn’t be enough to build chemistry within their new nucleus. It was time to play ball, and the Cowboys hit the floor on November 4, 2024, against South Dakota State.
The Jack Rabbits punched the Cowboys in the mouth, defeating the betting favorites 80-73. It was a surprising loss as McNeese had the better team on paper, but their struggles would continue the rest of the month, ending November with a 4-4 record.
A Cold Winter
It’s clear something was off with the former champions of the Southland division, and after suffering their fifth loss of the season, Coach Wade pulled his boys to the side after practice one day. He expressed a fatherly sentiment to the young men and told them not to apply so much pressure on themselves.
Khan offered his perspective from the sideline during their practices.
“It was a lot of new players, and it was a lot of pressure, just because it was a lot of upperclassmen, and we had a pretty tough non-conference schedule up to that point.”
“There was a lot of pressure to win, just because a lot of these players were in their last year. They wanted to get to the NCAA tournament, and they wanted to win a game. So I feel like there were some chemistry issues.”
With their minds clear and heavy hearts lifted, they pressed forward with hopes of defending their conference title from the year before.
Defending The Throne
After starting 5-5, the Cowboys rattle off 11 wins in a row, soaring into 2025 with a 16-5 record by Feb. 1, 2025.
“The vibes were great. I think everyone going into the year knew how good of a team we could be, and the fact that we weren’t able to do it the first 10 games, you know, was a little upsetting, but, you know, we finally put it together, you know? the vibes were great,” Khan said. “ We finally felt like we were the team that we should have been to start the season. We knew our most important games were ahead of us, too. So, just putting those games behind us, and now we’ve established a new identity.”
Coach Wade’s words had lit a fire under the team, but their hot streak was doused by the Nicholls Colonels, losing 71-63.
Having their win streak snapped was a blessing in disguise. It humbled the guys at a pivotal moment of the season, and they got back to their winning ways.
With the season almost over, Senior Night was slated for Feb. 24, 2025. It was a great night for everyone who attended, but for Amir Khan, this would be the night that changed his life forever.
A Viral Sensation
Khan developed a fondness for the seniors, and they couldn’t help but return the feeling. He decided to make one more lively memory, since they didn’t have much time left to make more, with graduation coming in May.
There was no better way to get the boys going than to play some of their favorite songs during the walkout. Khan put on the tunes from rappers Lud Foe to Louisiana native NBA Youngboy, turning the hallway into a party.
It was too entertaining not to post on social media, and his friend posted the clip of Amir spitting rap bars alongside the rest of the team. With the press of a button, the wheels of destiny were set in motion.
Discovering Destiny
“So I saw it [the video] got posted, but then I didn’t know it was going viral until one of the managers, we’re all just sitting around in the locker room, and he was like ‘this account [just reposted you] and it was CBB Content, which is one of the bigger college basketball accounts on Twitter. My friend was like, ‘they reposted the video, and they quote-tweeted it, saying something about you.’” – As the night progressed, Khan’s name would spread like wildfire around the basketball community in a matter of minutes.
“I was so confused as to what was going on, just because I didn’t expect the video to get posted. At all. So it was a really cool moment. I was around all the managers, and we were just looking through what everyone was saying, and it was a fun moment. I was just surprised at how much engagement it was getting. But my messages were everyone sending me the video.”
Senior Night came to a poetic end with the Cowboys destroying the UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros 100-65. It felt like a movie ending for the seniors who were approaching graduation, but for Amir, the film was just beginning.
The Night Everything Changed
He returned home shortly, where his family would get the surprise of a lifetime.
“It was a home game, so I went home, talked to my parents about it, and they were just looking at everything. They didn’t have TikTok or Instagram before, but after the video got posted, they downloaded it and started looking through it.”
Khan revealed his loved ones’ reactions and his thoughts as he lay awake late at night.
“And then my cousins, my friends, everyone was calling me and wanted to talk to me about it, and they thought it was a cool moment. I don’t think I slept that night because I was so confused about what was going on. And you know, just excited about it, too, just because it was, it was cool to see, especially ESPN, just because they’re the worldwide leader in sports.”
That “moment” would turn into his new reality, changing the 23-year-old’s life forever. His mentions were filled with new followers and fans of the team. Fans were captivated by Amir’s authenticity and genuine love for the game.
The Power of Momentum
All of the attention gave the team the confidence they needed as they prepared for the 2025 Southland Tournament. They dominated the final four games of the regular season and followed up their historic year by immortalizing the ‘25 Cowboys roster with another conference trophy in their display case.
The Cowboys would become back-to-back champions for the first time in the program’s 53-year history of competing in Division I basketball. It was an incredible achievement, but with March Madness approaching, all of their hard work would be put to the ultimate test.
Although McNeese State joined Division I competition during the 1972-73 NCAA season, its devoted fans would never see their beloved Cowboys win a game in the NCAA tournament. Selection Sunday fell on March 16, 2025, and the entire school waited for the announcement with bated breath.
McNeese’s March Madness
With the sun setting and the sky beginning to darken, everyone turned on ESPN at 6 pm, and just like that, it was on. The No. 5 Clemson Tigers would be their welcoming party on the world stage.
“The match already had a lot of purpose for the coaching staff, because the coach, Will Wade, he was actually, he went to Clemson. He and one of our assistant coaches played at Clemson. He’s actually the all-time Steal’s leader over there, Vernon Hamilton. So, it meant a lot to them; that’s one game they really wanted to win.”
McNeese stepped under the bright lights of the Amica Mutual Pavilion. It was a cinematic scene, with fans filling every seat wearing blue and orange.
The Cowboys wrangled the Tigers in the opening half, punching them in the mouth with a score of 31-13. It made them comfortable, and before they knew it, Clemson was on their heels. By the final 23 seconds of the game, McNeese led by five points.
It took one clutch free throw apiece from Quadir Copeland and Javohn Garcia to secure the victory, defeating Clemson 69-67 after one more meaningless bucket from Clemson guard Chase Hunter.
Making History In McNeese
Coach Wade relished the moment with the kids, smiling ear to ear, as they celebrated the school’s first-ever win in NCAA Tournament history. Khan recounted his experience on that memorable night.
“During the game, I was in the stands, but I was in the first row right behind the bench. The NCAA has a certain number of seats that can be on the bench, and then there weren’t enough for the managers. So, we all sat behind the bench, we were right behind there watching the game, and were able to go into the locker room and everything after the game.”
Khan reminisced on the immediate reaction of the entire team, from the coaching staff to the managers and players.
“Yeah, it was surreal. We knew we could do it, we believed in it, but just for the moment to come to fruition, it meant a lot, and there was definitely a lot of excitement, a lot of celebration going on, especially when we got outside the locker room. The most noticeable thing that I remember the most was the locker room after the game, just because I had the speaker on, they wanted me to put it on, and they played the song from the original Walkout.”
Falling Back To Earth
The taste of victory was sweeter than they ever imagined, but with the Purdue Boilermakers waiting, they couldn’t rest on their laurels. Coach Wade guided the boys back down to earth by running through the game plan for their upcoming test.
Head Coach Matt Painter and his Boilermakers, known for their hard-nose defense and stellar three-point shooting, were a ranked contender all season long. After another successful season, they had no plans of going home early, and it was evident from the first buzzer.
They would score the first bucket, with the Cowboys hitting a three-pointer of their own in return. It would be the only time they led throughout the 40-minute affair, losing 76-62, ending their historic season.
“Everyone was really sad. Not sad that the season was over, but the team spent every single day with each other since June, you know, so June leading up all the way until March. Almost for a full year, every single day was spent together, every single moment, practice and stuff like that, all the work you put in to get to the end,” Khan said “ After that everyone kind of moves on and does their own thing, so the fact that that was the last time that that team would be together all in one room, I think, was the thing everyone started to realize and just how great of a season it was.”
A Historic Ending
It was natural for the players to have a somber attitude; after all, some of them were walking the stage in a couple of months, or were already thinking about their next destination. With the little time he had left, Coach Wade refused to let them hang their heads after making history as a massive underdog.
As the spring rolled on, the dominoes started to fall, and the Florida Gators would claim their third NCAA title, the first in 18 years. The season ended, and on May 17, 2025, the sun would set on the final day of the school year.
But when it rose the following day, it was the dawn of a new era for Amir.
His name had skyrocketed day by day, and making the NCAA Tournament put him in the global spotlight. The authenticity and genuine love for the game captivated other basketball lovers all around the world. Instead of a star player, he was a star manager.
Fruits of Labor
“I was also able to make history as the first manager to get an NIL deal. So that meant a lot to me, and I was just, so, so grateful to have support from everyone.”
He would eventually sign more than 20 N.I.L deals, becoming the first ever manager in college sports to have such lucrative success, and he’s nowhere near done. Some of the companies include Buffalo Wild Wings, TickPick, Topps, Insomnia Cookies, and the global phenomenon Fortnite.
Now, Amir’s name is hotter than ever in 2026, and as I write this, the Cowboys are returning to the NCAA Tournament for the third consecutive season, even without Will Wade, who took the head coaching job at NC State last summer.
Quadir Copeland joined Wade, and Amir tried to do the same, but god intervened in the form of credit transfers. It’s clear that McNeese was his true home and felt elated to stay with his fellow managers.
The culture of McNeese State Basketball has been changed forever, and Amir Khan played a massive role in their rise to Southland supremacy.
Goals Of The Future
Although there’s no telling what the future holds, it’s obviously very bright for both Amir and the school. He’s become synonymous with the McNeese State Cowboys and credits them for changing his life.
“Really, all the credit should go to the coaching staff and to the players for everything that happened. I’m in a happy place. I love living at home.” To end the interview, I wanted to know Khan’s goals for the future, to which he replied:
“I would say my goals graduating is the goal of mine. It’s a big reason why I came back to McNeese. And I want to graduate at McNeese, get my degree, and then, you know, go pursue my master’s. So I would say that’s my goal, first and foremost.” He then revealed his life’s dream and the ultimate goal of his basketball career.
“I’m kind of split. My goal before being a manager was to get into sports media. I really thought I could talk about sports a lot forever. I talk about sports 24-7 with my friends, family, with everyone, really. So, being able to do that for a living, be able to cover the sport for a living, would mean a lot to me,” Khan said. “I feel like I’ve been able to make a lot of meaningful connections in the business. So hopefully that’s something I’m able to pursue, but also, being a manager for the last three years now, being a part of a team is just a different feeling. I feel like I’ve learned a lot about the coaching and a lot about the game of basketball that i didn’t know before being a manager, even though I thought I knew a lot.”
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