The Sunflower's Basketball Guide 2021-22

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PROVE With six new faces and a head coach in his first full season, the Shockers plan to defend their AAC regular season title and bring the program back to national prominence.

Monday, Nov. 8, 2021 Volume 126 | Issue 14

2 | MONDAY, NOV. 8, 2021

BASKETBALL GUIDE 2021

MEN’S BASKETBALL

SHOCKER

BASKETBALL

2021-2022 SEASON SCHEDULE MEN’S BASKETBALL

DENNIS 0 DEXTER Jr. | G | 6’5 | Baker, La.

1 TYSON ETIENNE

So. | G | 6’2 | Engelwood, N.J.

2 CHAUNCE JENKINS

Fr. | G | 6’4 | Newport News, Va.

JACKSONVILLE STATE

WICHITA, KAN. / CHARLES KOCH ARENA | NOV. 9 | 7:00 P.M.

SOUTH ALABAMA

WICHITA, KAN. / CHARLES KOCH ARENA | NOV. 13 | 3:00 P.M.

TARLETON STATE

WICHITA, KAN. / CHARLES KOCH ARENA | NOV. 16 | 7:00 P.M.

ARIZONA

LAS VEGAS, NEV. / T-MOBILE ARENA | NOV. 19 | 9:00 P.M.

MICHIGAN/UNLV

LAS VEGAS, NEV. / T-MOBILE ARENA | NOV. 21 | TBD.

MISSOURI

COLUMBIA, MO. / MIZZOU ARENA | NOV. 26 | 8:00 P.M.

3 CRAIG PORTER JR.

Jr. | G | 6’2 | Terre Haute, Ind.

4 RICKY COUNCIL IV Fr. | G | 6’6 | Durham, N.C.

5 CLARENCE JACKSON So. | F | 6’7 | Dublin, Ga.

OKLAHOMA STATE

STILLWATER, OKLA. GALLAGHER-IBA ARENA | DEC. 1 | 7:00 P.M.

KANSAS STATE

WICHITA, KAN. / CHARLES KOCH ARENA | DEC. 5 | 5:00 P.M.

NORFOLK STATE

WICHITA, KAN. / CHARLES KOCH ARENA | DEC. 11 | 6:00 P.M.

ALCORN STATE

WICHITA, KAN. / CHARLES KOCH ARENA | DEC. 14 | 7:00 P.M.

NORTH TEXAS

WICHITA, KAN. / CHARLES KOCH ARENA | DEC. 18 | 3:00 P.M.

PRAIRIE VIEW A&M

WICHITA, KAN. / CHARLES KOCH ARENA | DEC. 22 | 6:00 P.M.

10

JALEN RICKS Fr. | G | 6’7 | Sherwood, Ark.

11

KENNY POHTO Fr. | F | 6’11 | Stockhold, Sweden

12

STEELE CHAPMAN Fr. | G | 6’1 | Wichita, Kan.

EAST CAROLINA

GREENVILLE, N.C. / MINGES COLISEUM | DEC. 29 | 6:00 P.M.

MEMPHIS

WICHITA, KAN. / CHARLES KOCH ARENA | JAN.1 | 11:00 A.M.

HOUSTON

HOUSTON, TEXAS FERTITTA CENTER | JAN. 8 | 11:00 A.M.

TULANE

WICHITA, KAN. / CHARLES KOCH ARENA | JAN. 12 | 7:00 P.M.

CINCINNATI

WICHITA, KAN. / CHARLES KOCH ARENA | JAN. 16 | 12:00 P.M.

TEMPLE

PHILADELPHIA, PA. LIACOURAS CENTER | JAN. 19 | 6:00 P.M.

SMU 15 ISAAC ABIDDE

Fr. | F | 6’9 | Albany, Ga.

22 QUA GRANT

Jr. | G | 6’2 | DeSoto, Texas

24 MORRIS UDEZE

Jr. | F | 6’8 | Houston, Texas

DALLAS, TEXAS / MOODY COLISEUM | JAN. 23 | 4:00 P.M.

UCF

WICHITA, KAN. / CHARLES KOCH ARENA | JAN. 26 | 7:00 P.M.

TULANE NEW ORLEANS, LA. / AVRON B. FOGELMAN ARENA | JAN. 29 |11:00 A.M.

TULSA

WICHITA, KAN. / CHARLES KOCH ARENA | FEB. 1 | 8:00 P.M.

SMU

WICHITA, KAN. / CHARLES KOCH ARENA | FEB. 5 | 5:00 P.M.

UCF

ORLANDO, FLA. / ADDITION FINANCIAL ARENA | FEB. 8 | 8:00 P.M.

SOUTH FLORIDA

WICHITA, KAN. / CHARLES KOCH ARENA | FEB. 12 | 7:00 P.M.

32

JOE PLEASANT Jr. | F | 6’7 | Overland Park, Kan.

HC

ISAAC BROWN Head Coach

AC

LOU GUIDINO Associate Coach

CINCINNATI

CINCINNATI, OHIO / FIFTH THIRD ARENA | FEB. 17 | 6:00 P.M.

HOUSTON

WICHITA, KAN. / CHARLES KOCH ARENA | FEB. 20 | 12:00 P.M.

MEMPHIS

MEMPHIS, TENN. / FEDEXFORUM | FEB. 27| 2:00 P.M.

TULSA

TULSA, OKLA. DONALD W. REYNOLDS CENTER | MAR. 2 | 8:00 P.M.

EAST CAROLINA

WICHITA, KAN. / CHARLES KOCH ARENA | MAR. 5 | 2:00 P.M.

FIRST ROUND

FORT WORTH, TEXAS / DICKIES ARENA | MAR. 10 | TBD.

QUARTERFINALS AC

TYSON WATERMAN Assistant Coach

AC

BILLY KENNEDY Assistant Coach

FORT WORTH, TEXAS / DICKIES ARENA | MAR. 11 | TBD.

SEMIFINALS

FORT WORTH, TEXAS / DICKIES ARENA | MAR. 12 | TBD.

CHAMPIONSHIP

FORT WORTH, TEXAS / DICKIES ARENA | MAR. 13 | TBD.

MONDAY, NOV. 8, 2021 | 3

BASKETBALL GUIDE 2021

‘He’s a player’s coach’

Joe Pleasant takes a jumpshot during Shocker Madness on Oct. 12 inside Charles Koch Arena. | Photo by Sean Marty / The Sunflower

Pleasant comes back to where it all started

BY MIA HENNEN

Head coach Isaac Brown yells towards a player during the exhibition game against Missouri Southern State on Nov. 4 inside Charles Koch Arena. Brown is set to enter his first full season as head coach, after being promoted from his interim status last February. | Photo by Sean Marty / The Sunflower

Brown brings positivity in first full season as head coach

BY SEAN MARTY

Eleven months ago, Isaac Brown was thrust into a situation filled with unknowns. Longtime head coach Gregg Marshall had just resigned following abuse allegations and Brown was announced as the team’s interim head coach. Since then, a lot has changed.

Brown led the Shockers to an American Athletic Conference regular season title and to the NCAA Tournament, while getting the interim tag removed last February. During that season, Brown helped WSU maneuver through the COVID-19 pandemic and other obstacles put in front of them.

The 52 year-old, first time head coach remained a source of positivity during some of the toughest times last season. When the Shockers fell to Cincinnati in last year’s AAC Tournament, Brown remained positive even though the Shockers’ postseason chances looked bleak.

“When I walked into the locker room, the first thing I said was keep your head up,” Brown said after the loss. “You guys have had a great season, you guys have battled. Nobody expected you to win the conference championship in the American. I’ve got a good feeling that we’ll still be in the NCAA Tournament. We’ve done the work we needed to do.”

Brown’s source of positivity and confidence has been crucial for players up and down the roster.

Sophomore guard Tyson Etienne flourished under Brown, winning AAC Player of the Year in a breakout season.

Etienne said that Brown’s support was a welcoming sign since he took over last November.

“I love IB, he’s a players coach,” Etienne said.

“He definitely is there for you, supporting you on and off the court. He’s really going to care about you and it doesn’t matter if you’re first on the roster or you’re 16th on the roster, he’s going to care about you. That’s encouraging to know that your coach is going to ride with you.”

After being picked to finish sixth in the American last year, the Shockers used that as fuel en route to its first ever AAC regular season title.

Even with everything surrounding the program last October, no players left the program. Brown said a big reason for that was the relationship between the coaching staff and the players.

“Those guys really bought in, they had the coaching staff’s back and went out and performed on the basketball court,” Brown said. “It’s just given me a lot of confidence, having a great group of guys that you can coach and go out and understand how to play basketball and how to win basketball games.”

Brown spent last season prioritizing the players and those relationships. He quickly won the team over in large part due to his focus of becoming a ‘players coach’.

“Issac came in and he just took his role,” freshman Ricky Council IV said. “I mean he gave us a lot of freedom, let us play fast like we like to do and it was just great. I love Isaac for real. He’s my guy.”

In the age of the transfer portal, Brown was

“He definitely is there for you, supporting you on and off the court. He’s really going to care about you and it doesn’t matter if you’re first on the roster or 16th on the roster, he’s going to care about you.”

- Tyson Etienne

able to keep the team’s core intact, in large part due to the relationships fostered during last season.

Chaunce Jenkins, a freshman guard, could have easily chosen to leave WSU after receiving limited minutes last season but didn’t. A big reason was his relationship with Brown.

“Me and IB are real close,” Jenkins said. “He’s the one that recruited me here in the first place so, every day he’s on me in practice but I know it’s for the better. I know he’s just pushing me to be better.

I know that’s going to get me far.”

Jenkins said that the freedom that Brown gives the players on and off the court was key to last season’s success.

“He lets us be ourselves,” Jenkins said. “I think that’s one of the best things you can have in a coach. Going out there, we feel 10 times more comfortable knowing that’s going to help us get far.”

This summer, Brown was able to have his first offseason as a head coach. With the opportunity to build stronger bonds with the players, Brown said that makes him more comfortable heading into his first full season as head coach.

“I think I’m more comfortable just getting to know my team,” Brown said. “The coaching staff has done a great job in recruiting a lot of talent.

We’ve got six new faces so the biggest challenge for us this year is getting the new guys to buy in.”

Brown was tasked with building his first roster as head coach, following six players entering the transfer portal. One of the players Brown won over in the recruiting process was three-star prospect Jalen Ricks.

Ricks, a 6’7 guard, played his high school basketball career at Oak Hill Academy – one of the top prep schools in the country. Despite having offers from schools such as TCU, Arkansas, and Oklahoma State, Ricks decided to become a Shocker. A key part of that decision was the relationship he quickly built with Brown.

“Coach Brown made me feel wanted,” Ricks said. “He did a good job recruiting me and I felt comfortable with the decision. I felt like it was the right place for me and I feel I can really thrive here.”

Brown and the Shockers are now faced with larger expectations this season after the surprise finish a year ago. But Brown and the team feel ready to meet them.

“These guys have some expectations now,” Brown said. “Handling that success and the fact that, coming off a conference championship, everyone will be shooting for us. Now we’ve just got to go out and play well.”

Starting his first year as a forward for Wichita State, junior Joe Pleasant never imagined life would lead him back to Kansas, where he played high school basketball at Blue Valley Northwest in Overland Park, Kan. “I’ve been in this gym multiple times from high school to playing in it my sophomore year,” Pleasant said. “It’s just ironic that I’m here now playing for Wichita.”

Pleasant’s collegiate career started out at Abilene Christian University in Abilene, Texas, where he played for the last three seasons. Pleasant is coming off his best season to date, scoring 10.5 points and 5.5 rebounds per game.

After helping lead Abilene Chrsitain to victory in the NCAA tournament against No. 3 seed Texas last season, Pleasant believes he can bring his energy and effort to the Shockers this season.

“I always go 100 percent no matter what it is I’m doing,” Pleasant said. “From a skill level, I feel like I can bring some versatility to help this team.”

Despite his initial nervousness

as a transfer player for Wichita State this season, Pleasant said the team has been welcoming.

“We mesh together,” Pleasant said. “It’s definitely been welcoming—definitely a good experience.”

Pleasant said he wanted to come to Wichita State because of his desire to challenge himself and Head Coach Isaac Brown, with whom he felt a connection with.

“It was just the next part of my journey. I wanted to get out of my comfort zone because that’s where you grow the most,” Pleasant said.

“I was thinking what’s the next step—the next challenge. What can help me grow the most as a basketball player.”

Brown said Pleasant will play a lot of minutes in games for the Shockers this season.

“Big-time player. High basketball IQ. He can play multiple positions. “He’s an experienced guy who’s been to the NCAA tournament and won a conference championship,” Brown said. “I’m just so excited to have him in the program. He’s a great defender, a great stationary shooter, a guy that can score it on the low block, and a guy that can run offense.”

Shockers use pandemic as motivation on the court

BY SASCHA HARVEY

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected most aspects of life, but sports has especially suffered.

For the 2020-2021 Wichita State men’s basketball season, obstacles littered the players’ path to the game.

Junior guard Qua Grant is a newcomer for the Shockers 2021- 2022 season after transferring from NCAA Division II West Texas A&M in Canyon, Texas. Similar to other players on the Shockers roster from last season, Grant was infected with the coronavirus himself before transferring. He struggled getting back to speed. “[Last year] was a little rocky,” Grant said. “It had ups and downs.”

Even for those who were fortunate enough to never catch the virus, mandatory quarantines occurred often and shifted the season’s schedule.

Junior guard Craig Porter Jr. said he is eager for new players to have a college experience closer to normalcy this year, with fewer masks, more gametime, and more fan engagement.

“Last year, I was out probably two full months, almost 60 days, with COVID,” junior guard Craig Porter Jr. said. “Anytime my teammates got [COVID], we had to sit out. [...] Having that setback every 14 days got hard.”

Porter said that the team’s goal

Craig Porter drives toward the basket during the exhibition game against Missouri Southern State on Nov. 4 inside Charles Koch Arena. | Photo by Rachel Rudisill / The Sunflower

for this year is to outdo themselves from last year. He views the experience as an opportunity for growth in the future rather than a setback.

“I always [got] to where I could somehow find something beneficial about it,” Porter said. “I just realized that this is something that’s gonna happen right so [you] just take what you can, control what you can, and do your best in everything.”

With the schedule more regular and less COVID restrictions, Grant finds he gets to interact more, with everything from teammates to the world around him.

“I feel like there’s more energy [and] more light in the world,” Grant said.

4 | MONDAY, NOV. 8, 2021

BASKETBALL GUIDE 2021

‘It’s part of the journey’

Sophomore Tyson Etienne calls a play during the exhibition game against Missouri Southern State on Nov. 4 inside Charles Koch Arena. | Photo by Sean Marty / The Sunflower

Etienne utilizes NBA Draft experience in his return to WSU

T

BY SEAN MARTY

yson Etienne isn’t your typical college student – or even college athlete.

Etienne wakes up every morning and meditates. He’s known for his early morning workouts and relentless pursuit of getting better. Etienne is on a strict diet and also has found outlets such as photography to keep his mind free.

“What I want to do and what I plan to do in the game of basketball, this is something that I work for,” Etienne said. “I plan to be the top guy on everybody’s scouting list and I embrace that. It’s part of the journey. In order to be great you have to prepare yourself knowing that team’s are going to try and stop you.”

Etienne is fresh off a breakout sophomore season, where he took home American Athletic Conference Player of the Year, while leading WSU bacwk to the NCAA Tournament. Etienne remains motivated, partly due to how he ended the season.

The worst game of Etienne’s sophomore season happened to occured in the most important one. He scored one point in WSU’s heartbreaking loss to Drake in the NCAA Tournament, ending the Shockers’ season.

Etienne still believes that if he played better in that game, he wouldn’t still be in Wichita. He’d be in the NBA. Etienne declared for the NBA Draft a few months after that game. He participated in pre-draft workouts with the Memphis

“What I want to do and what I plan to do in the game of basketball, this is something I work for.

I plan to be the top guy on everybody’s scouting list and I embrace that.”

- Tyson Etienne

Grizzlies, Phoenix Suns, Toronto Raptors, Brooklyn Nets, Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, and New York Knicks, while being close to achieving his childhood dream.

But Etienne decided to come back to WSU because he still believes he’s got more to accomplish with the Shockers.

“For me, what I mainly took away from that was just knowing that I belong,” Etienne said. “For a while, if you’d ask me if I’d be in this type of situation five years ago, I would’ve looked at you like you were crazy. To go through that experience and to work for the teams that I worked out for, it was definitely a great experience.”

Although Etienne is now one of the top players in college basketball, he still believes he’s got more to learn and achieve at the collegiate level.

“While I could’ve remained in the draft, I felt like taking all that knowledge, gaining more experience, and continuing to brush up on some skills is going to serve me better in the long run,” Etienne said. “Just to have that experience was great and I feel like it’s equipped me well.”

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Etienne said he picked up a few tools during the draft process so that now he feels more prepared heading into his third season.

“My preparation has gone up another level,” Etienne said. “I was doing things that I wasn’t doing last year. Going through the draft process, I learned even more tips and tricks that I’ve incorporated into my routine.”

Head coach Isaac Brown said that Etienne’s journey is due to the work he’s put in since he arrived in Wichita as a freshman.

“He’s the first guy in the gym and the last guy to leave,” head coach Isaac Brown said. “He’s a hard worker, he’s always staying after practice and getting up shots.

He’s always asking questions on ‘how can I get better offensively and defensively, what do I need to add to my game?’ He’s one of those guys who seems like he’s getting better every season.”

In this year’s preseason poll, the Shockers were picked to finish in fourth place despite winning the regular season title a year ago.

Etienne said that is one of the many reasons he’s motivated heading into this season, with the end goal of a national championship.

“I do intend for this to be my last year in college so just the motivation to continue to get better, be able to provide for my family but also leave Wichita as a winner,” Etienne said. “We won the conference title but we didn’t win the conference tournament, we didn’t win the national championship and those are things I want to win.”

Etienne’s sophomore year was one of the best by a Shocker

Sophomore Tyson Etienne looks to drive during the exhibition game against Missouri Southern State on Nov. 4 inside Charles Koch Arena. | Photo by Sean Marty / The Sunflower

in recent years. He started all 22 games and averaged 16.3 points and a school-record 2.95 threes (18th nationally) on 39.2% accuracy. He was also ranked among the AAC leaders in threes-pergame (2nd).

Etienne said that he’s going to be in the moment when it comes to the future he is focused on his career at WSU.

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“I’m going to be in the moment,” Etienne said. “The NBA’s going to come, I trust in that and I know that. But for me, I’m here to make Wichita State continue to be great, get wins and I’m going to play my role and do that. My focus is on my team, my focus is on bringing us back to the tournament and just helping any way I can for us to be successful.”

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MONDAY, NOV. 8, 2021 | 5

BASKETBALL GUIDE 2021

Freshman Steele Gaston-Chapman celebrates during Shocker Madness on Oct. 12 inside Charles Koch Arena. Gaston-Chapman, a Wichita native, is in his first season with the Shockers after transferring from Southwestern College. | Photo

by Sean Marty / The Sunflower

Gaston-Chapman returns to his roots at Wichita State

BY ELENA KUCKELMAN

Junior Qua Grant dribbles the ball up the court during the exhibition game against Missouri Southern State on Nov. 1 inside Charles Koch Arena. Grant, a transfer from Division II Texas West A&M, is in his first year with the Shockers. | Photo by Sean Marty / The Sunflower

Grant ready for D1 debut

BY JAYCIE NELSON

Q

ua Grant is ready for the challenge of playing Division-I basketball.

Grant joins the Shockers after transferring from Division-II West Texas. Grant said that he’s always been ready to make the switch to Division I and felt that this is where he belongs.

During Grant’s three seasons with West Texas A&M he earned All-Lone Star Conference status every year and made the all-defensive team twice. Last year, Grant scored a career-high 22.4 points per game, while shooting 52.3% from the field.

“I don’t think he should’ve played Division-II before this but everybody’s journey is different,” sophomore Tyson Etienne said of Grant. “Obviously he was able to show everybody what we see in practice every day. He definitely brings a competitive nature. I like it when he guards me in practice because I know I’m getting better.”

Grant said he decided to come play for Wichita State he said it was the coaching staff.

He said that he felt the coaching staff was genuine and their zoom call didn’t feel scripted.

Grant said he was always ready to make that jump from Division I to Division II after not originally receiving any D1 offers in high school. Grant was just “trusting the process and sticking to the course.” It just took time.

“I played harder, played with a chip on my shoulder,” Grant said.

Grant made his impact felt in WSU’s exhibition game, leading the newcomers in scoring,

“I don’t think he should’ve played Division-II before this but everybody’s journey is different. Obviously he was able to show everybody what we see in practice every day.”

- Tyson Etienne

tallying 11 points in his Shocker debut. Grant was effective in attacking the basket, shooting 4-5 on two-pointers, while also contributing a team-high four assists off the bench.

“He made a difference,” head coach Isaac Brown said. “He is able to create shots off the bounce. That opened everything up for us, the fact he kept getting in the lane. He did a tremendous job off the bench and that’s why we recruited him.”

Grant said he was excited heading into his first game of Division-I basketball.

“I was looking forward to the fans, getting out there with my teammates,” Grant said.

We’ve been waiting for this for a long time, it feels like a year. We’ve been here since June just working and it was exciting to be out there.”

Brown said that Grant fits right in with the team.

“He’s doing a good job of driving the ball, creating help situations, dumping it down to the big guys, getting in the lane, kicking it out to the shooters, Dexter and Tyson,” he said. “He’s done a good job of finishing at the rim and drawing fouls.”

As a graduate of Campus High School in Haysville, Kansas, Steele Gaston-Chapman returns to his hometown to play for the Wichita State men’s basketball team this year.

After playing for Southwestern College last year, Gaston-Chapman was named the 2021 KCAC Freshman of the Year. Then, he decided to come back to Wichita as a walk-on for WSU. “It’s been a childhood dream of mine to sit here, not only play here but, you know, just be a part of this environment,” said Gaston-Chapman.

Walking on for WSU was an opportunity that Gaston-Chapman said he could not pass up.

“I’ve always been a shocker fan growing up coming to the games,” Gaston-Chapman said. “So just to sit there and be here when the opportunity presented itself—I couldn’t pass on it.”

Gaston-Chapman hopes to be a source of energy for the Shockers this year.

“Being a walk 0n, you probably won’t see much time at first, but I’m gonna cheer on my teammates,

you know, make sure that I can keep them positive and just do anything that I can do to be a positive energy for the team,” GastonChapman said.

He says he is excited for the season to start.

“I’m looking forward to just getting and going,” Gaston-Chapman said. “Just getting the season started and being in this environment on a different perspective.”

During his senior year of high school, Gaston-Chapman’s basketball season was cut short at the state basketball tournament due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, he used the disappointment of his unfinished season to fuel his mindset going forward.

“I took that as a learning curve and didn’t allow it to like completely detach myself from the game, and I tried to just overcome that honestly,” Gaston-Chapman said. “And I would say I did because I’m still here.”

Gaston-Chapman said that coming back to Wichita and playing for WSU has been a blessing.

“Whenever you get the opportunity to sit there and play for your hometown, how can it not just be a blessing?” Gaston-Chapman said.

Clarence Jackson prepares for a season to remember

BY MITCHELL ADAMSON

Clarence “Monzy” Jackson, a tenacious offensive rebounder and electric comprehensive player is looking to improve in every area of his game as he approaches the 2021-2022 season.

Jackson was nicknamed “Monzy” after his aunt described she didn’t want to call him “Clarence”. So, she spiced up his name and it stuck.

In the off-season Jackson looked to improve his physical stature gaining 25 pounds, to make his game more like that of Dennis Rodman.

“Me and Coach Kerry Rosenboom have been getting after it, he had me lifting crates throughout the day...I want to have a breakout year, so I knew I had to put on some size, so I have been eating three times days...trying to stay in shape with it,” he said.

Jackson said he admires Rodman’s game.

“Just that tenacity and that merciless mentality,” Jackson said.

“When he sees the ball, he gets the ball...I just want to use his mindset to play hard at all times and get every ball that comes off the glass.”

Jackson’s teammates were impressed with him last year, along with going into this season.

He was also voted as the “Most Inspirational Player” by coaches.

“That’s just me and my personality, and the way I carry myself,” Jackson said, “When I walk into the room I want to light up the room, I just apply that to the court.

With my God-given ability, it has given me the ability to bring joy on the court.”

The merciless mentality going into each game is what sets Jackson apart. He is looking to use it especially in games in conference play.

“I am looking forward to Memphis, they have a lot of hype around them,” Jackson said. “I am a competitor and I am ready to compete. I would also say

Sophomore Clarence Jackson looks over to the WSU bench during the exhibition game against Missouri Southern State. Jackson is in his second year with the Shockers after arriving as a junior college transfer last season. | Photo by Sean Marty / The Sunflower

Houston, cause last year we had some nice battles with them. I’m ready to meet them in Houston, and I am ready to meet them in Memphis.”

Jackson wants to zone in on improving his game, with the goals set high.

“I want to average at least 10 rebounds, and a double-double.

I have been working on my shot, working on everything,” he said.

Being a well-balanced player, he is focused on not just his strengths, but also improving on his weaknesses. The amount of work Jackson put in is substantial, and his family is his motivation.

“My son, I want to give him the world,” Jackson said. “So I have been trying to use him as motivation, to give no excuses about life.

Everything I do is for him.”

Jackson said it will be a season to look forward to.

“It is going to be very exciting,” he said. “When I say I am going to give my all, it’s going to be a show. Last year we weren’t at full capacity, but we had a great crowd and I appreciate that. But this year I want every home game to be packed out. I want to make the fans and my teams happy.”

6 | MONDAY, NOV. 8, 2021

BASKETBALL GUIDE 2021

‘I just got blessed last year’

Council ready to open more lanes for himself

BY EMMIE BOESE

He made an impact in his first year as a Shocker but second year freshman Ricky Council IV wants to take his role in the Wichita State Basketball program to another level.

Last season, Council was named to the American Athletic Conference’s All-Freshman team.

He became one of the American Athletic Conference’s top bench scorers by averaging 18.2 points per 40 minutes.

In terms of goals for himself this season, Council said he wants to help his team move further into postseason play. Last season the Shockers lost their play in game to make it into the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

“You know last year it was exciting like I was amazed last year like I don’t think people noticed how amazed I was,” Council said.

“Last year just going to the tournament seeing some of the people I’ve been watching since I was like a sophomore junior in high school just to get back there and actually advance. Like last year was oh yeah we made it. I’m happy now I just want to play in it more.”

Last season, Council said the first time he started to have more of an impact for the Shockers came in its first conference game earlier in the season against Tulsa. Council made use of his opportunity coming off the bench by scoring 13 points and eight rebounds in 16 minutes.

“I wasn’t trying to do to much, I was just playing my role and it just came to me,” Council said. “So, no, last year I was not expecting to get playing time but after that game

“[Council] is a better defender. He knows our system. He’s a really talented guy who can create his own [shot], and now he’s starting to buy into the system more.”

- Isaac Brown

like Coach Brown just started trusting me and my role started expanding and yeah I just got blessed last year for real.”

On media day in October, Head Coach Issaac Brown said Council has improved his game in several areas.

“He’s a better defender,” Brown said. “He knows our system. He’s a really talented guy who can create his own [shot], and now he’s starting to buy into the system more.

Running in transition. Knowing how to run our sets, and he’s much better as a defender. We’re looking for a great season from him.”

Council said he is predicting himself to be in the starting lineup this season. However, he said if he’s not in the starting lineup he feels confident in coming off the bench and still having an impact.

“I’m just trying to play and compete. I mean with the things that I can do I feel like it’s hard to keep me out the lineup either with scoring or facilitating,” Council said. “Coaches will make the right decision so I’m not really worried.

“I think that’s one of the reasons I shined last year was focusing on Dex [Dexter Dennis] who was the starter in my positon and I come off the bench and I help the team a lot,” Council said.

Freshman Ricky Council IV looks to defend in the exhibition game against Missouri Southern State on Nov. 1 in Charles Koch Arena. Council scored a game-high 15 points to lead the Shockers to the exhibition game victory. | Photo by Sean Marty / The Sunflower

An inside look at Kenny Pohto’s transition to Division 1 basketball

BY JULIA NIGHTENGALE

Freshman Chaunce Jenkins drives towards the basket during Shocker Madness on Oct. 12 inside Charles Koch Arena. Jenkins is entering his second season with the Shockers and added 20 pounds of muscle over the offseason. | Photo by Rachel Rudisill / The Sunflower

Jenkins coming back stronger

BY KYRAN CRIST

Returning for his second year for Wichita State, Chaunce Jenkins said he is coming back stronger than last season and ready to tackle this year with his teammates.

Last season, Jenkins was a freshman at WSU and was in his first year playing for Shockers Basketball when he signed in 2020.

Head coach Isaac Brown said that Jenkins has been working on his shots and improved over the offseason.

“Based on stats, he was our best shooter this summer,” Brown said.

“He shot around 50%. We started practice and scrimmages, and he did a great job of making shots,” Brown said. “He’s gotten bigger and stronger. He’s a better defender. He’s been out maybe 5-10 days now with a knee injury, but hopefully we get him back soon. We expect he can make shots.”

After spending the offseason working on side shot, Jenkins agrees that he has improved and is hoping to shoot more consistently.

“I’ve definitely been improving my shot a lot,” Jenkins said. “Last

year I could definitely shoot from three but I wasn’t as consistent as I needed to be, so I want to knock down shots very consistently.”

After not playing as much as anticipated his first year, Jenkins opted to stay with the team instead of transferring elsewhere. . Jenkins says that he sees this year really showing how far he has come and show the work he has put in.

“Dedication and just trusting that my story’s going to work out in the end and trusting all the work I put in,” Jenkins said. “I see myself having a breakout year, and putting people on notice. Just showing people that I can really produce.”

As the season comes to a start, he said that he anticipates a good year for the team and that they are going to show the work that they’ve been putting in over the offseason.

“We’re coming in with a chip on our shoulder, they’ve got us ranked fourth so we’re going to come out and play with that same edge as last year and hopefully that gets us far,” Jenkins said, “I see us going far, I see us getting back where we were last year in the conference and doing well if not better.”

Kenny Pohto, a freshman transfer from Sunrise Christian Academy and originally from Stockholm Sweden, said that he has made sacrifices in order to get where he is today playing Division 1 basketball for Wichita State.

“What I miss the most is of course my family and friends back home,” Pohto said. “It’s a sacrifice that you have to make, because I have goals to become like a professional basketball player. I’ve sacrificed some things, but of course I miss my family the most.”

While Pohto originally signed with Minnesota before a coaching change, Pohto said that staying in Wichita after being here since he was sixteen feels comfortable and wasn’t a huge change for him.

“I guess it’s comfortable, it feels good to stay in the same kind of environment that I’ve been in for three years,” Pohto said. “I know a lot of people here now cause I’ve been here for some time, so i’ve met a lot of people and made good friends and friends that I call family, so it’s fun to be around them too.”

Pohto, standing at 6’11, said that while he started shooting three-pointers late compared to the other guys on the team, it’s something that he has been working on for the season.

“Kenny is a weapon,” head coach Isaac Brown said. “He’s one of those big guys that can step out and shoot the three. He’s probably the best shooting big man I’ve ever coached. You can run pick and pops with him, he can shoot the three at a high percentage, he can defend, and he’s got great size at 6’11.”

Over the summer, Pohto earned MVP honors playing for Sweden

Freshman Kenny Pohto celebrates with Dexter Dennis and Steele Gaston-Chapman celebrates after winning the three-point contest during Shocker Madness on Oct. 12. | Photo by Rachel Rudisill / The Sunflower

in the U-20 Nordic Cup title and said that he enjoyed being able to represent his home country.

“It’s always great to play for the country man, so it was fun to play with the guys I used to play with when I was younger back home, go back and see them and play with them so that was cool,” he said.

Pohto said that he is looking forward to playing and winning a national championship, and focused on building his strength for his first season in college.

“What I was most focused on was my strength ... I was thinking about that in the summer a lot because I wanted to come here ready, so I didn’t just get run over in practice and games, so it was mostly the strength part.”

Pohto said that back home in Sweden, he has two younger

siblings and his parents who miss him a lot and are proud of his accomplishments.

“They are very proud of me that I made it here and this far to college, and my college is paid for so my parents are proud of me, my two siblings are proud of me,” Pohto said. “They text me a lot and miss me a lot, they all miss me.”

Pohto said that his first year of college as a student is going well so far, and he enjoys not having to be in a classroom all day like he did in high school. While he may be quiet at first, Pohto said that he’s a guy who enjoys having a good time.

“I’m a quiet guy, but if you get to know me I’m fun, I’m goofy, I like to have fun,” Pohto said.

“When I get closer to everybody I open up more.”

BASKETBALL GUIDE 2021

MONDAY, NOV. 8, 2021 |

7

INTERNATIONAL TIES Shockers prioritize international recruiting, with eight players from seven different countries

World map showcasing WSU women’s basketball international players | Infographic by Thy Vo / The Sunflower

T

BY SEAN MARTY

he Wichita State women’s basketball team is set to feature eight international players on its roster –Melissa Secchiaroli, Nhug Bosch Duran, Tanya Platonova, Carla Bremaud, Carla Budane, Seraphine Bastin, Jane Asinde, and Jayze’Lee Waihi – the most since Keitha Adams took over as head coach back in 2017.

During Adams’ tenure, she placed a focus on international recruiting and has had at least four international players each season at WSU. Ewa Laskowska has been the primary international recruiter, largely due to her experience as an international student-athlete.

Laskowska, originally from Poland, started her collegiate career at Independence Community College under Adams. She played two seasons with the Pirates and was named NJCAA All-American and Kodak All-American twice during her playing career.

Laskowska moved on to play at Kansas State but would quickly join Adams’ coaching staff as the top assistant coach after graduation. She followed Adams to the University of Texas - El Paso, where they continued their focus on international recruiting.

Laskowska joined Adams’ staff once again, when she took the job at Wichita State in 2017, continuing in her role as the primary international recruiter.

Laskowska said that being able to recruit internationally has always been an important focus even during her playing days under Adams.

“Honestly, it’s always been in the history of our coaching,” Laskowska said. “Ever since I’ve played on her teams, we’ve always had international players so when I got on her staff, that was a big part of my role to recruit the best players from anywhere. Obviously me coming from Europe, it opened up connections to be able to

Infographic by Thy Vo / The Sunflower

recruit kids to our teams.”

Laskowska said that recruiting international players is more difficult, because many are unfamiliar with the process of collegiate basketball in America.

“It’s very different,” Laskowska said. “They’re not familiar with the process as much so you have to do a lot more explaining and helping them through the process. Plus, not every kid in high school wants to play in college. A lot of kids end up moving up and playing in the club system and when they’re growing up, that’s what they’re surrounded by. That’s what they know.”

Laskowska said she can typically tell if one of these athletes is about to be homesick before the athletes even know it. She feels that her experience both as a player under Adams and as an international student athlete has been beneficial in recruiting.

“Here I am, I’m from Spain, I’m trying to represent my country.

It’s so cool that we are from different places.

France, Spain, New Zealand. I’m bringing something from my country here.”

-Nhug Bosch Duran

“It’s very helpful and I think the parents and the kids feel very comfortable to start with because they know I’ve been there and done it,” Laskowska said. “Whatever they’re baby is going to go through, I’ve already gone through. It definitely helps knowing when they’re going to be homesick before they get homesick and being able to help them.”

This season the Shockers are set to mix seven American players with the eight international players, giving them one of the most diverse rosters across the country.

Laskowska said that it’s a unique experience to see the cultures across the team blend over the course of the season.

Sophomore Carla Budane ready for a normal year

BY MELANIE RIVERA-CORTEZ

Freshman Nhug Bosch Duran calls for the ball during the exhibition game against Missouri Southern State. Duran is one of WSU’s eight international players and is a native of Barcelona, Spain. | Photo by Rachel Rudisill /The Sunflower

“Everytime we recruit a player no matter where they’re from, whether they’re international or American, we always make sure to tell them ‘our team is going to be diverse’,” Laskowska said. “Because if you’re not okay with the diversity, that’s probably not the team for you. It’s pretty fun to watch how we learn from each other and culture and food and everything else that comes with it.”

Adams said the experience can be interesting for players up and down the roster, because of how much they can learn from different cultures.

“I think for the players, it’s really what college is all about, learning about your own culture by being around people from different places and different backgrounds,” Adams said. “There’s a lot of things that are different from where you come from, but pick and roll in Europe is the same in the United States.”

Nhug Bosch Duran, a Barcelona, Spain native, is one of the eight international players on this year’s Shocker roster.

Duran was a four-year starter and captain for her school INS Joan Coromines in Barcelona. She was also a member of the Spain U18 team, where Duran averaged 10.6 points and was named the Catalan League MVP. Over the summer, Duran played for Spain in the U18 European

Championships and averaged 5.0 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game, helping her country finish in third place.

Duran said having other international players on the roster has made getting accustomed to American culture easier.

“I’m from Spain, I’m European and American life is so different,” Duran said. “Having other international students, other international teammates, it makes things easier.

They’re in the same situation as you.”

Duran scored her first points in a Shocker uniform last Thursday, knocking down a three-pointer in WSU’s exhibition game victory. She said that although basketball was key for her coming over to the U.S., gaining life experiences in a new country was also crucial to her.

“I want to learn the language, get to know this culture,” Duran said. “It’s a life experience not only for basketball, I came here for life experiences. I want to build some friendships and other stuff here and enjoy it.”

Duran said that it has also been a cool experience to represent her country, like many of her teammates are doing.

“Here I am, I’m from Spain, I’m trying to represent my country,” Duran said. “It’s so cool that we are from different places. France, Spain, New Zealand, I’m bringing something from my country here.”

Sophomore Carla Budane has never experienced a normal season with Wichita BUDANE State.

Originally from Mozambique, Budane joined the women’s basketball team in the middle of the season last year.

“It was hard because I came in the middle of the season and during Covid so I am excited to experience a normal season, but I think I’m doing good with adjusting to the change,” Budane said.

Budane, jersey number 14, is the youngest of five. She played for the Mozambique National Team and played in the FIBA U19 World Cup last year.

Since coming to Wichita State, Budane has come to learn that the culture is different.

“I’ve been learning so much here in the United States because the culture is totally different than Mozambique,” Budane said.

Budane said it was a little difficult to adjust to the language barrier because the official language of Mozambique.

Although she loves her home country and the values that come with her, she is noticing that the culture here has its perks.

“I love the difference in culture in the United States,” Budane said.

Budane made her debut against Temple where she made four points and a rebound in 11 minutes.

Budane played in 10 games last season where she set a season high with six points and four rebounds in 12 minutes against Tulsa.

This will be Budane’s first complete season beginning with the offseason.

“I think I’ve improved a lot during the offseason, I have been working out and going to the weight room every day,” Budane said.

Budane believes that the team has been a key to helping her adjust to the change.

“The team has been very helpful to me, since I got here they have helped me outside and inside of the court,” Budane said.

They have helped her navigate her way on the team as well as giving her advice for classes.

“The team has been very good to me,” Budane said.

8 | MONDAY, NOV. 8, 2021

BASKETBALL GUIDE 2021

Colbert uses senior season to step into leadership role

BY EMMIE BOESE

The women’s basketball program at Wichita State has either a losing or average season prior to their upcoming 2021-2022 season.

Senior forward Trajata Colbert hopes that the women’s team can change that this season. Colbert started 14 of the Shockers 18 games last year. She had a career high last year of 27 shots which was ranked third in the American Athletic Conference.

Colbert said she sees herself in a leadership role this season due to it being her last year in the program. Her leadership skills have been noticed by other players. One of those players is freshman center Ella Anciaux.

Anaciaux said in an interview after Shocker Madness in October that Colbert has been a mentor to her while trying to adjust to the speed and intensity of Division-I college basketball.

“She’s helped me a lot just going against her, being able to batter against her and give me pointers,” Anaciaux said. “Like she’s been a big supporter of me since day one so I really appreciate her and all the other posts that I get to work against everyday.”

Shamaryah Duncan poses for a photo during Media Day on Oct. 13 inside Charles Koch Arena. Duncan is entering into, her second season with the Shockers. | Photo by Mia Hennen / The Sunflower

Guard builds off community support for sophomore season

BY RACHEL RUDISILL

Trajata Colbert battles for a rebound during the exhibition game against Missouri Southern State on Nov. 4 inside Charles Koch Arena. Colbert is entering her fourth season with the Shockers. | Photo by Rachel Rudisill / The Sunflower

Colbert said she and some of the other players have been trying to step up and make sure the younger girls kown the expectations of the program. She said senior guards Carla Bremaud, and Seraphine Bastin have had a leadership presence on the court as well so far.

“I just wanna show the new girls the ropes, and our system, and our defensive system, offensive system,” Colbert said.

Colbert said that the Shockers show strength in guard play this season with handling the ball, and getting it to the post. However, she mentioned junior college transfer forward Jane Asinde as someone that she’s excited to watch come game time.

“Newcomer Jane, I feel like she’s a great post, great addition to the post squad,” Colbert said.“She can finish around the basket, she can rebound really well.”

Sophomore Shamaryah Duncan is a guard for the Wichita State women’s basketball team. Duncan is from Waco, Texas where she played basketball at Midway High School.

This is her second year playing for the Shockers, and she is eager for this season to begin.

Duncan said she learned a lot about being a student-athlete after her freshman season and is learning how to carry that with her throughout her college career. A tool that has helped her succeed at becoming a good student-athlete is having the help of an athletic advisor.

Each athlete at Wichita State is assigned an athletic advisor.

Their job is to find ways to help athletes manage their time.

Student athletes have different schedules to manage compared to other college students. They need to manage time between jobs, school work, practices, games, jobs, and social time.

Staying on top of this can seem overwhelming to athletes, so Duncan said she makes time to always speak with her advisor.

“He [Andrew, athletic advisor] really helped me out a lot,” Duncan said. “We have meetings every Monday to see what I have for my classes throughout the week, so that really helped me a lot. I also have a planner on my phone where I put down my assignments for each of my

classes and that helped me a lot too.”

Duncan has been working hard this off season to become a stronger athlete. Each day, she sets aside time to go shooting.

Duncan does this daily, in addition to the offseason. Sometimes she shoots alone or with some of her teammates, including teammate Tanya Platonova.

“I will go before or after practice or even at night,” Duncan said. “That way I can also keep my shots up.”

A tip that Duncan said is also helpful as a college athlete is to communicate with your coaches.

Duncan said she speaks to her coaches to let them know where her mind is at if she is having a rough week, or has a lot of schoolwork to get done.

“I communicate with my coaches and I do not shut them out because that’s not gonna help me in the long run,” Duncan said.

Duncan said some of her personal goals for this season include being more aggressive, and scoring more. She also said she wants to have confidence in herself and her teammates, and to win more games.

“You know last season we didn’t do as well as we wanted to, but hey, that’s last season it’s in the past,” Duncan said “We’re ready for this season to prove everybody wrong and show that we are the best team in the conference.”

Jane Asinde drives toward the basket during the exhibition game against Missouri Southern State on Nov. 4 inside Charles Koch Arena. Asinde, originally from Uganda, is a junior college transfer in her first season with the Shockers. | Photo by Rachel Rudisill / The Sunflower

What you need to know about Jane Asinde

BY JULIA NIGHTENGALE

Jane Asinde, is one of the top junior college transfers in women’s college basketball. She was the 18th-rated player in the World Exposure report for Juco rankings.

Asinde is originally from Kampala, Uganda, and said that she decided to come play for the Wichita State women’s basketball team without even going to a visit on campus. Asinde transferred to Wichita State from Grayson Junior College in Denison, Texas.

At Grayson she received WBCA NJCAA First Team All-American.

“So I came here because the coaches were really nice … Just talking to them I was motivated and like I knew this would be home for me,” Asinde said.

Asinde said she is excited about the Shockers upcoming season and seeing what all her team will accomplish.

“I’m looking forward to winning everything,” Asinde said. “I want to win everything, and I believe this team can do it all.”

Along with being the best basketball player she can be, she also wants to help her teammates out and let them help her out as well.

Asinde said that everyone that she has met at Wichita State has been friendly, and she enjoys taking her online classes so she has more time to sleep in.

After living in Texas, Asinde said that it feels cold here in Kansas compared to the Texas heat. She also said the culture in America is quite different, such as the clothing and the food.

“So where I come from, Uganda, it’s kind of the friendliest country in the world so the people are really nice,” Asinde said.

“Everyone here is really friendly, everyone at WSU is friendly,” Asinde said. “I haven’t met

someone bad, here they are super friendly and nice people.”

Being the youngest of seven siblings, Asinde said that her family is proud of her for being the youngest and only sibling in America. She said that sometimes calls from home involve crying because she doesn’t get to see them a lot.

“I do talk to them most of the time, I talk to them maybe 2 times, 3 times a day,” Asinde said. “Mostly I talk to my brothers because I don’t get time to talk to my parents that much, but when I get time to talk to them it is really nice.”

Along with being a basketball player, Asinde said she has many hidden talents such as drawing.

She also loves to make new friends and meet new people. With her new license, she looks forward to exploring other places in Wichita besides the basketball court.

IT'S GAME TIME. SCORE 1/2-PRICED DRINKS AFTER THE GAME AT FUZZY'S TACO SHOP WSU LOCATION ONLY BEGINS AT FINAL BUZZER

MONDAY, NOV. 8, 2021 | 9

BASKETBALL GUIDE 2021

HOMECOMING

Wichita native Ella Anciaux stays home to become a Shocker

BY SEAN MARTY

Freshman Ella Anciaux looks to shoot during the exhibition game on Nov. 4 inside Charles Koch Arena. Anciaux is the first Wichita native to commit out of high school during the Keita Adams’ tenure. | Photo by Rachel Rudisill / The Sunflower

Shocker freshman Ella Anciaux is familiar with Wichita, unlike most of the Wichita State women’s basketball team. Anciaux is a Wichita native and played her high school basketball at nearby Kaupan Mt. Carmel High School.

Anciaux played four seasons with the Crusaders and averaged 20 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks in her senior season. The 6’4 center said that the opportunity to play in front of friends and family was something she couldn’t pass up.

“I just think it was really special to stay here and be surrounded by my family and friends, people that have supported me for years,” Anciaux said. “It’s been a really special experience. There’s nothing like it.”

Anciaux is the first Wichita native to commit out of high school since head coach Keitha Adams took over the program in 2017. She said that Adams and the rest of the coaching staff convinced her to become a Shocker.

“That’s what really drew me here, was this amazing coaching staff,” Anciaux said. “They care about each one of us so much and it’s honestly special and something I don’t think many other programs have. It really drew me here.”

Anciaux made her first appearance in front of the Shocker fanbase at Shocker Madness earlier last month. She led the Shockers with a team-high seven points to lead the Yellow Team in the scrimmage.

“I wasn’t expecting that at all,” Anciaux said. “I was happy with how my team played and how I played. I feel like we have some good chemistry out there on the court and I’m excited for this season.”

Adams said that she sees

“That’s what really drew me here, was this amazing coaching staff. They care about each one of us so much and it’s honestly special and something I don’t think many other programs have.”

-Ella Anciaux

Anciaux getting minutes early on in her freshman season.

“She gives us some size, she’s going to eat up some space inside, she has a nice left hand.” Adams said. “She’s adjusting because it is faster and the speed of the game is as well but her work ethic is great and she’s got the mentality that she’ll come in and help on the court and off the court.”

Anciaux said that friends, teachers and even strangers at the grocery store have expressed interest in attending Shocker games this winter. Anciaux said that she’s hopeful her local presence can help increase their attendance.

“I’m really excited for this season,” Anciaux said. “I think we have a really special team and just with me being a local player, I’m hopeful to get more fans out at games. I’m hoping that we’ll be able to get more support and get some buzz going for this program because I think we’ve got a really special team.”

Anciaux said that her goals right now are to improve as the season goes on.

“I would just like to continue to develop my own skills, specifically my ball handling and my shooting.

I have things I’m working on every day and my coaches and teammates do a great job of supporting me and trying to achieve the goals that I have for myself.”

McKinney excited to play in her home state and inspire siblings to accomplish their dreams

BY JULIA NIGHTENGALE

Carla Bremaud and Seraphine Bastin pose for a picture during media day on Oct. 13 inside Charles Koch Arena. | Photo by Monique Gaines / The Sunflower

Senior guard duo prepares for final season at Wichita State

BY EMMIE BOESE

Seraphine Bastin and Carla Bremaud came to Wichita State University together and found out that they both speak French.

They now will finish their careers together on the court for the women’s basketball program and leave Wichita State as best friends.

Bastin, who is known by her teammates as Fefe, is a senior guard for the Shockers and is from Dinant, Belgium. Her friend Carla Bremaud is also a senior guard for the Shockers and is from Angers, France.

Bastin has been a starter for the Shockers since she was a true freshman. She led the team in assists, rebounds, double-doubles, and was ranked second in steals and third in scoring last season.

Bremaud has been a starter for the Shockers since she was a freshman as well. Last season, she led the team in three-pointers, and three - point percentage.

The Shockers were picked to finish eighth in their conference in the 2021-2022 American Women’s Basketball Preseason Coaches’ Poll. Bremaud said the decision of the poll fuels their goals for the season.

“We have a really high hope,”Bremaud said. “We really want to like prove everyone

wrong because they told us we would be like eighth in the conference and we really want to show them that was like a mistake after the tough season we had last year.”

Bastin agreed with this sentiment.

“Our goal this year is to really be focused, and be prepared,” Bastin said. “Cause right now we are underdogs.”

Bastin is a point guard for the Shockers. A point guard is usually expected to be a leader on the court since they are the ones bringing the ball up the floor. Bremaud said Bastin has fulfilled this role as a point guard.

“Fefe is like a really big leader,”Bremaud said. “She’s like the one talking the most at practice and she’s one of the leaders on the court so like FeFe’s a big leader for us.”

Bremaud and Bastin said they feel confident that their leadership on the court and their friendship will continue to thrive in their last season at Wichita State.

“That was really easy to like come together,” Bremaud saud.

“After three years of playing tougher we really know each other, we find each other really easy on the court. Sometimes she really know what I’m thinking about.”

Mariah McKinney, junior and Wichita native, spent a semester playing basketball in Washington before she decided to come back home because she missed Kansas and wanted to give her family the chance to watch her play Division-I basketball.

“I didn’t like the fact that I was thinking about playing at a higher division and my family not being able to watch,” McKinney said. “I have a lot of younger siblings and cousins, and I really want them to be able to see someone, physically know someone that can inspire them, so that’s kind of the reason that I decided to stay here and play.”

McKinney said that her lifelong dream has been to play division one basketball, and getting to do it in the place she grew up is both honoring and humbling.

“I’ve played basketball all my life, I’ve worked really hard, and played summer ball,” McKinney said. “My dad spent a lot of money being able to put me in the position where I could make it to this point in life so my family is really proud of me. I can say I’m really proud of myself.”

McKinney joined WSU as a walk-on last year a week before the first game, and while the adjustment was difficult, she said the hard times brought the team closer together.

When I came into the team there was a lot of different things changing, a lot of different things going on within the organization itself,” McKinney said. “So it was definitely hard but my teammates are all amazing, the coaching staff is amazing … That stress brought us all together and it really turned us into a family, like it’s so unimaginable.”

McKinney said that she is blessed for her parents, who always supported her dreams of playing basketball in the big leagues.

Junior Mariah McKinney poses for a picture on Oct. 13 during media day inside Charles Koch Arena. | Photo by Mia Hennen / The Sunflower

“My parents definitely went above and beyond to make sure that I was in the position to be here today,” McKinney said. “There would be times where we wouldn’t have it, or we would have to struggle to make things go my way, but they always made sure that I was on the court, if anything.”

Leaving Kansas also gave McKinney a new appreciation for her home state and the “loving” environment that she came from.

“So I was in the Seattle Washington area and I felt like the people there were so weird because everyone here is so down to earth,” McKinney said. “You could see a stranger and have a full on conversation about anything here, and feel like you know them … So I just love the whole environment of Kansas. We’re just so loving, and full of hope and full of happiness.”

In preparation for the upcoming season, McKinney said that she did a lot of running and ladder

work to get ready for the adjustment from a junior college to a Division 1 school. She said she also enjoyed her time outside of the gym.

“I’m looking forward to winning,” McKinney said. “Shoot, we have an amazing team that’s been putting so much work in and I know we are going to shock some people. We’re definitely the underdogs of the conference so that’s what I’m looking forward to, just playing and competing.”

Along with winning, McKinney hopes to send a message to her younger siblings that they can accomplish big dreams.

“I just really want my brothers and sisters to know they can really do anything they put their minds to, put their effort towards, work towards, they can have it,” McKinney said. “This has been my dream, playing division 1 basketball my whole life. They can have a dream, anything, and they can know that it can happen.”

10 | MONDAY, NOV. 8, 2021

BASKETBALL GUIDE 2021

Adams prepared to produce second winning season at helm

BY EMMIE BOESE

After a tough season last year of missed games, postponed games, and missed practices due to COVID-19, head coach Keitha Adams of the Women’s Basketball Program at Wichita State University said she and her players are fired up for a new season of basketball this year.

“I think we went through so much last year and a small dose of it at the very beginning so you know you have to make some choices and these guys put a lot of time and a lot of hours into practicing and so you just want for your players to be able to play and be able to ,you know, experience the game and experience all that their working so hard for,” Adams said.

Last season there were times Adam’s team would only have five players at practice and seven or eight players at games due to illness and quarantine rules. She said it was unlike anything she’s experienced in her 30 years coaching women’s basketball.

“So we went through some tough times but we hung tough and we got through it and I think we’ll be mentally stronger this year because of going through that last year,” Adams said.

Adams is entering her fifth year as head coach of the women’s program for the Shockers. Last season, her team posted a 6-12 record. During the 2019-2020 season, Adams’ team posted their first winning record under her. A winning record and then some is what Adams and her team hope to accomplish for the this season.

“We want to be in there for the hunt for the conference

COACH KEITHA ADAMS

championship, and get to the NCAA Tournament,” Adams said.

“That’s what we’ve been working hard for and so we’ve got some good goals. We want to play some great basketball at home to give our fans some joy and something to get fired up about so those are our goals.

Adams returns seven players from last year’s roster. She mentioned the leadership and presence that some of her returnees have been showing on the court so far this season. Some of the returners she brought up are senior guards Cara Bremaud and Serphanie Bastin, as well as senior posts Asia Strong and Trajata Colbert.

In addition to her returners, Adams has seven freshmen on this season’s roster and one junior college transfer. She said she feels like her team has a nice mix of guards and post.

“With Jane Asinde and Ella [Anciaux] are two post players that add some depth, for us in the post,” Adams said. With our guards I mean Nhug Bosch [Duran] is really fast and she’s from Spain a good little point guard and good shooter.

I think Melissa [Secchiaroli] and Tanya [Platonova] are both guards that you know were looking for them to bring offense to the table.”

Sophomore D.J. McCarty prepares to shoot a three-pointer during the exhibition game against Missouri Southern State on Nov. 4 inside Charles Koch Arena. McCarty is entering her third season with the Shockers and is hoping to take on a leadership role this upcoming season. | Photo by Rachel Rudisill / The Sunflower

McCarty poised for leadership role

BY MELANIE RIVERA-CORTEZ

Freshman Tanya Platonova poses for a picture during media day on Oct. 13 inside Charles Koch Arena. Platonova is one of eight international players on the roster and is from Moscow, Russia. | Photo by Mia Hennen / The Sunflower

Freshman enjoys first time in America

BY RACHEL RUDISILL

Tanya Platonova is a freshman guard from Moscow, Russia. This not only her first season playing for the Shockers, but this is her first time in America.

The Shockers first saw Platonova play when she participated in a tournament in Poland.

“My coach, when I played in Russia, sent highlights to Coach Adams,” said Platonova. Coach seemed to really like me and they decided to move me here.”

Being far from home, Platonova had to make many adjustments such as learning a new language, experiencing different weather, and eating new foods. Many of her adjustments have been extremely positive.

Her favorite adjustment she has had to make so far is getting used to a new coaching staff. Platonova quickly felt welcomed to the Shockers. The Shockers provide a warm and friendly environment not only to her, but all of the players at Wichita State.

The team celebrates different cultures as they learn about each of the players’ backgrounds. As Coach Adams said in previous interviews, she recognizes there are language barriers, but that does not stop the girls from bonding and building relationships.

“Russian coaches and American coaches are very different,” said Platonova. “In Russia, we do not

have friendly coaches, but Coach Adams and the whole coaching staff is a more friendly team.

Practices here are great because the team is friendly.”

Being far from home can be scary, but being in a whole new country can be even more terrifying. Platonova, however, is not alone. Her teammates are her family. Most often, when Platonova is off the court, she spends a lot of time with her fellow teammate, Shamaryah Duncan. Platonova and Duncan are roommates which helps to give Platonova comfort.

The girls are often shooting with each other, helping each other with homework, and Platonova has even taught Duncan how to speak some Russian. The girls find it fun to quiz each other and ask what some of the words are in their main languages. The girls use the bond they created off of the court to work together. Their bond helped them to be a strong duo during practice.

Overall, this season Platonova wants to have a great experience with her team.

“I want good shoots. I want good passes. I want to give all that I can. I want to show that I can do it,” said Platonova.

She said is excited for her first season as a Shocker to begin, and she is hopeful to learn all she can.

Junior DJ McCarty has an impressive college career already behind her.

McCarty has played for WSU all three years. Last season, she played 15 out of 18 games and made eight starts. McCarty also had a career high of 20 points in a win against Tulsa.

McCarty has learned many important lessons throughout her shocker career on and off the court.

“I say acceptance because they took me in, made me family when they didn’t have too and it feels good being part of a family knowing that you’re loved,” McCarty said.

McCarty has come to love all of her teammates like sisters and coaches as mentors that take care of her. She also believes that perseverance is a big takeaway from playing on the basketball team.

“Perseverance because if you know about last year we had 7 players playing some 20 games, it taught us to push through it as a team,” McCarty said.

McCarty graduated high school from Cedar Hills High School in Desoto, Texas and was a two time captain and lettered all four years. She is now looking forward to being a leader on the team.

“I’m trying to grow into that role of being a leader and I’m more of a vocal leader because I am a returner,” McCarty said.

With this season comes the return for normalcy

“It feels so good knowing we’re gonna play and feels good having 15 players, having people we can share our experience with.”

-DJ McCarty

after having an entirely different season last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Last year we didn’t know if we were going to practice a certain day or certain week but this year we’re going through certain protocols to keep ourselves safe and protected,” McCarty said.

This year the team comes in knowing that they will have a full practice. During the offseason McCarty has been working out and getting to spend more time with the team.

“It feels so good knowing we’re gonna play and feels good having 15 players, having people we can share our experience with and teach the newcomers and freshman,” McCarty said.

McCarty is very excited for this season because there are more players and the return to normalcy brings a chance for her family to come out and watch her play.

“I’m so excited because for me, my parents didn’t come to any of the games last year because of covid.

But now that we’re allowed to have fans it is just going to be good to see all the people that support us,” McCarty said.

BASKETBALL GUIDE 2021

10 | THURSDAY, SEPT. 23, 2021

WOMENS BASKETBALL

SHOCKER

BASKETBALL

2021-2022 SEASON SCHEDULE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

00 ASIA STRONG

1 DJ MCCARTY

Sr. | F | 6’2 | South Bend, Ind.

So. | G | 5’8 | DeSoto, Texas

2 MARIAH MCCULLY

Sr. | G | 5’7 | Grand Rapids, Mich.

CHICAGO STATE

WICHITA, KAN. / CHARLES KOCH ARENA | NOV. 9 | 12:00 P.M.

WYOMING

LARAMIE, WYO. / ARENA-AUDITORIUM | NOV. 13 | 3:00 P.M.

DENVER

DENVER, COLO. / HAMILTON GYMNASIUM | NOV. 15 | 8:00 P.M.

NORTHERN IOWA

CEDAR FALLS, IOWA / MCLEOD CENTER | NOV. 20 | 11:00 A.M.

PRAIRIE VIEW A&M

WICHITA, KAN. / CHARLES KOCH ARENA | NOV. 23 | 6:00 P.M.

ALCORN STATE

WICHITA, KAN. / CHARLES KOCH ARENA | NOV. 26 | 3:30 P.M.

3

MELISSA SECCHIAROLI

4

Fr. | F | 5’10 | Vacluse, France

NHUG BOSCH DURAN Fr. | G | 5’7 | Barcelona, Spain

5

TANYA PLATANOVA Fr. | G | 5’7 | Moscow, Russia

NORTHWESTERN STATE

WICHITA, KAN. / CHARLES KOCH ARENA | NOV. 29 | 6:00 P.M.

ORAL ROBERTS

WICHITA, KAN. / CHARLES KOCH ARENA | DEC. 1 | 6:00 P.M.

SOUTH DAKOTA

WICHITA, KAN. / CHARLES KOCH ARENA | DEC. 4 | 1:00 P.M.

GRAMBLING STATE

WICHITA, KAN. / CHARLES KOCH ARENA | DEC. 11 | 2:00 P.M.

NORTH TEXAS

DENTON, TEXAS / THE SUPER PIT | DEC. 17 | 7:00 P.M.

KANSAS

WICHITA, KAN. / CHARLES KOCH ARENA | DEC. 21 | 6:00 P.M.

OKLAHOMA

NORMAN, OKLA. LLOYD NOBLE CENTER | DEC. 29 | 6:00 P.M.

10 MARIAH MCKINNEY Fr. | G | 5’8 | Wichita, Kan.

12 CARLA BREMAUD Fr. | G | 5’11 | Angers, France

13 ELLA ANCIAUX

HOUSTON

WICHITA, KAN. / CHARLES KOCH ARENA | JAN. 5 | 6:00 P.M.

Fr. | C | 6’4 | Wichita, Kan.

SOUTH FLORIDA

TAMPA, FLA. / YUENGLING CENTER | JAN.9 | 11:00 A.M.

CINCINNATI

CINCINNATI, OHIO / FIFTH THIRD ARENA | JAN. 13 | 6:00 P.M.

MEMPHIS

WICHITA,KAN. / CHARLES KOCH ARENA | JAN. 16 | 3:00 P.M.

TULANE

NEW ORLEANS, LA. / FOGELMAN ARENA | JAN. 22 | 2:00 P.M.

EAST CAROLINA

WICHITA, KAN. / CHARLES KOCH ARENA| JAN. 25 | 6:00 P.M.

UCF 14 CARLA BUDANE

Fr. | F | 6’0 | Maputo, Mozambique

20

SHAMARYAH DUNCAN Fr. | G | 5’11 | Waco, Texas

23 SERAPHINE BASTIN Jr. | G | 5’8 | Dinant, Belgium

WICHITA, KAN. / CHARLES KOCH ARENA | JAN. 29 | 2:00 P.M.

TEMPLE

PHILIDELPHIA, PA. / MCGONIGLE HALL | FEB. 2 | 6:00 P.M.

TULSA

WICHITA, KAN. / CHARLES KOCH ARENA | FEB. 6 | 2:00 P.M.

EAST CAROLINA

GREENVILLE, N.C. / MINGES COLISEUM | FEB. 9 | 5:00 P.M.

SMU

WICHITA, KAN. / CHARLES KOCH ARENA | FEB. 12 | 2:00 P.M.

UCF

ORLANDO, FLA. / FINANCIAL ARENA | FEB. 16 | 2:00 P.M.

MEMPHIS

MEMPHIS, TEN. / ELMA ROANE FIELDHOUSE | FEB. 19 | 2:00 P.M.

24

TRAJATA COLBERT Jr. | F | 6’2 | Rochelle, Ga.

35

JANE ASINDE Jr. | F | 6’1 | Kampala, Uganda

45

JAYZE’LEE WAIHI Fr. | G | 5’8 | Hamilton, New Zealand

SOUTH FLORIDA

WICHITA, KAN. / CHARLES KOCH ARENA | FEB. 23 | 2:00 P.M.

TULSA

TULSA, OKLA. / REYONLDS CENTER | FEB. 27 | 1:00 P.M.

TULANE

WICHITA, KAN. / CHARLES KOCH ARENA | MAR 2 | 6:00 P.M.

FIRST ROUND

FORT WORTH, TEXAS. / DICKIES ARENA | MAR 7 | TBD

QUARTERFINALS

FORT WORTH, TEXAS / DICKIES ARENA| MAR 8 | TBD

SEMIFINALS

FORT WORTH, TEXAS / DICKIES ARENA | MAR 9 | TBD

CHAMPIONSHIP

FORT WORTH, TEXAS / DICKIES ARENA | MAR 10 | TBD.

HC

KEITHA ADAMS Head Coach

AC EWA LASKOWSKA AC CHESTER NICHOLS AC KELLI BAGLEY Associate Head Coach

Assistant Coach

Assistant Coach

12 | MONDAY, NOV. 8, 2021

BASKETBALL GUIDE 2021

McCully comes back for more

BY EMMIE BOESE

Asia Strong looks to drive during the exhibition game against Missouri Southern State on Nov. 4 inside Charles Koch Arena. Strong led WSU in scoring last year and is looking to have a strong senior season. | Photo by Rachel Rudisill / The Sunflower

Strong hopes to find consistency in senior year

BY MITCHELL ADAMSON

After leading WSU in scoring last year, Asia Strong is determined to have success going into this season. Strong is also hoping to improve on her stats from a year ago.

Strong earned second team allconference honors after averaging 15.2 points and 6.6 rebounds a game. She also scored 10 or more points in all but two games last season, while shooting 42.4% from the field. Strong also became the first Shocker to earn preseason first team all-conference honors since WSU joined the AAC. “I definitely felt like I was very consistent, coming from my first year, being able to stay consistent throughout the whole season,” Strong said. “I was very proud of this, but this year is totally different. We got a new team.”

Strong said that she was working on herself as a player, with new developmental skills in the forefront of her mind.

“I have been working on more in the post, trying to get touches in the post and get a bucket at a crunch time, also working on my three point shot...free throws and trying to get to the line by being more aggressive,” she said.

“Last year we were hit by COVID-19 and we didn’t give up, we only had seven players and we didn’t give up. Coach could have given up on us and she didnn’t, so we aren’t gonna give up on her.”

- Asia Strong

Strong came to WSU after playing two seasons at Trinity Valley Community College. Strong said a big reason she decided to come to WSU was because of the coaching staff.

“I love them...their recruiting process for me, they were always calling me, always checking up on me,” Strong said.

“It wasn’t even about basketball, it was about personal life and lifestyle, am I doing stuff off the court--in the classroom or even my hobbies and who I am as a person.”

She has been really looking forward to the matchup against Temple, as they almost got a win last year playing in Philadelphia. In the second matchup in Wichita, itwas a highly contested battle that ended in the Shockers being 0-2 on the season against Temple.

“In my first season here, coming from Juco, I learned how to adjust, getting the experience...but now that I have a year under my belt I have a better feel for the conference.”

Strong, said she has enjoyed encouraging her teammates to strive for more.

“If they miss shots, even 100 shots in a row, I let them know to keep shooting and lift them up and keep motivating them,” Strong said. “I love my teammates, I feel like we have great chemistry, all the newcomers are tight. We are excited for the season because we were so close to the March Madness tournament, and we played South Florida and lost by four points. It really is a chip on our shoulders, we gotta get there, we gotta get that.”

Strong said that fans should be excited for this upcoming season.

“They should look out for us, being there for each other, and motivating each other,” Strong said. “You can’t win every game so just knowing as a team we are going to be mentally strong and bounce back. We are never going to hang our heads low and give up. We never give up.

“Last year we were hit by COVID-19 and we didn’t give up, we only had 7 players and we didn’t give up. Coach could have given up on us and she didn’t.”

To have a normal season for the Shockers is what fifth year senior Mariah McCully is striving for this season for the women’s basketball program.

McCully came to Wichita State University after transferring from Wabash Valley College.

However she was not cleared to play right away.

After McCully got cleared to play, she played in 26 0f the Shockers 31 games her junior year, while making 16 starts.

She was also named Third Team All - Conference. Last season, McCully only got to play in 12 games while making six starts due to concussions, and COVID -19 quarantine rules.

Last season McCully started to doubt herself on whether she wanted to play college basketball again. However, when she was granted an extra year of eligibility she said that gave her a chance to still play no matter what her decision would be on ending her college basketball career early.

“I wasn’t sure if this was something I wanted to continue doing into my future,” McCully said. “I based it off of my summer. I had a really good offseason summer so I decided I wasn’t ready to put the ball down yet. I wasn’t ready to stop doing what I started my whole life. It was kind of a motivational thing to myself.

I had to give myself my own boost of confidence like you are ready.”

McCully said she felt like in previous seasons with the Shockers she never got the opportunity to be a leader on the team due to transferring and injuries.

“I finally feel like I’m comfortable enough with the team to step up and actually play how I want to play,” McCully said. “I never really had that like foot in the door to be that leader so this year I feel like I’m there to do what I’m supposed to do.”

This season, McCully said she thinks that the team has the opportunity to win a conference championship and even make it to March Madness.

“I think we have a really good chance and a really good team like all around,” McCully said. “We can score inside, outside, were rebounding, our defense is looking pretty good, and we’re looking pretty healthy this year so that’s a great thing.”