Senior transfer Kadeem Coleby is finally getting his chance to show Shocker nation what he can do. A Nassau, Bahamas native, Coleby started out his collegiate career at Louisiana-Lafayette before transferring to Wichita State last season. During his junior campaign at Louisiana-Lafayette, Coleby averaged 9.5 points and 4.9 rebounds per game and his 73 blocked shots ranked 26th in the NCAA.
Then, last summer, Coleby participated in the Athletes in Action basketball tour throughout Lithuania and says the experience overseas really helped him develop as a player. One main thing Coleby learned was the importance of teamwork.
“It takes a whole team to get the job done,” Coleby said. “If one person isn't on the same page then the whole thing falls apart.”
Per NCAA rules, Coleby had to sit out a year and watch the Shockers make their run to the Final Four, but he says that sitting out made him develop into a strong post player.
“I really learned the system from sitting out a year and what it takes to win games. I worked on my post game a lot last season and I've learned how to become a better post player.”
For Coleby, deciding to transfer and where to transfer was an individual decision but the atmosphere that he experience at Charles Koch Arena made his decision that much easier.
“There was a combination of things that made my decision to come to Wichita State,” Coleby said. “For one, I really liked the facilities and the fans and that made me want to come here. I wasn't able to get a scholarship because I wasn't released from the school so I basically went out on my own knowledge of what I could find.”
The Shockers feel lucky to have such an athletic post player to fill the shoes of former player, Carl Hall. When asked who would be the biggest surprise this season, most of the team said Coleby.
“I think it was my athleticism. I can get things going and put on a show for the fans.”
Coleby definitely put on a show at the midnight game Monday night. In 22 minutes, he had 13 points on 6-of-11 shooting, three blocks and three monstrous dunks to keep the crowd fired up in the 66-49 win over Western Kentucky.
Head coach Gregg Marshall has noticed the progress Coleby has made over the past year and can tell he is going to be a strong presence in the paint this season.
“Last year in practice, Kadeem was a guy who made it hard for Carl Hall and Ehimen Orukpe to score inside,” head coach Gregg Marshall said. “The good news now is that he is making it hard for the opposition. I thought he did a wonderful job in neutralizing George Fant from Western Kentucky and frustrating him into a sub-par night because he is a very good player.
Coleby obviously has the size and athleticism to rebound and defend inside and also caught a few lob passes with the springy vertical he has. He has improved his offensive skills to be able to score with jump hooks a few jump shots, just things around the basket much better than he did when he first got here.”
With a year of learning the system and developing as a player, Coleby has everything it takes to become an influential part of the Shocker program. Now, with a new season, comes new goals and Coleby knows that he can help the team in more ways than one.
“My main goal is to make my teammates better, get as many wins as possible and make it back to the Final Four.”
-WICHITA STATE-
