AfterShocks | 7/16/2021 10:44:00 AM

 
Wichita State guard Craig Porter Jr. guarded Clevin Hannah and Conner Frankamp in a pickup basketball game. Things can't get much tougher during Wichita State's 2021-22 season.
 
"It's difficult – you've got to guard (Frankamp) from half-court on because he'll shoot from almost anywhere," Porter said. "And he can pass just like Chris Paul, so you've got to pick your poison."
 
The AfterShocks are back together for The Basketball Tournament and Wichita State coach Isaac Brown wants his current Shockers to soak up the experience. The youngsters can learn much from the old guys – manage money, prepare for a game, eat right, find a trusted agent, practice with a purpose. 
 
"Just trying to get some knowledge, what we call 'free game,'" Wichita State's Dexter Dennis said. "Being smart. Managing ourselves. How to behave like a pro, on and off the court. That's what I'm picking up, from studying these guys."
 
Friday's 8 p.m. game vs. Ex-Pats is a big part of the weekend.
 
 

Family ties 🤞#TBT #AfterShocks pic.twitter.com/0JBWMMxBK2

— AfterShocks (@AfterShocksTBT) July 15, 2021

Also important is the reunion of around 40 former Shockers and the interactions with the current team. Several of the AfterShocks, such as Frankamp, Hannah and Rashard Kelly, are thriving overseas. NBA experience is plentiful from sources such as AfterShocks general manager Ron Baker and Toronto's Fred VanVleet. Landry Shamet, who plays for the New Jersey Nets, and former NBA player Cleanthony Early, are also expected to attend.
 
Members of the 1965 Final Four team are on the guest list for a pre-game reception, joining a few from the MTXE era of the 1980's, and many recent Shockers.
 
The veterans who are around this week know part of their role is to mentor.
 
"The No. 1 thing for me would be confidence and preparation," VanVleet said Thursday. "The one thing that I've learned is that you don't really control when the opportunity comes for you. When it does, you have to be ready."
 
In all, there are decades of experience and wisdom about navigating college and professional basketball available.
 
"It's great seeing all my boys and playing pickup with them," Wichita State center Morris Udeze said. "They're pros. They go in and handle business. I was chopping it up with Markis (McDuffie) and Samajae (Haynes-Jones) and how they enjoy overseas, giving me a rundown. The hardest part is their families aren't there."
 
Porter, who plays point guard, is watching how his professional counterparts such as Hannah play. The pro game, he understands, is fast-paced and physical.
 
"Learning how they read ball-screens and read defenses, put people in different positions so they can help themselves and help their team score," Porter said. "Playing with them, I'm learning how to be more of a point guard, more of a team player, and it's building our chemistry."
 
Dennis talked with VanVleet and is studying all of the veterans.
 
"Inspiration," Dennis said. "You see a guy who used to be in these same threads, these same colors and it's motivation to see him come back and get so much love. You see how he's respected around this university. It's something everyone around this program wants."
 
Paul Suellentrop covers Wichita State Athletics and the American Athletic Conference for university Strategic Communications. Story suggestion? Contact him at paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu.