The RoundHouse | 11/2/2022 10:43:00 PM

 
Shammah Scott picked former NBA star Steve Nash as the point guard he watched most often growing up.
 
"He was one of the greatest passers of all time," Scott said. "I wouldn't say I really modeled my game after anybody, but I definitely took bits and pieces from a lot of my favorite guards. I love the way (Nash) passes and pushes the ball up the court."
 
Scott, a sophomore newcomer at Wichita State, contributed in a way that Nash would appreciate in an 83-52 win over NCAA Division II Newman University on Wednesday at Koch Arena.
 
Scott handed out five assists in 13 minutes of play. In the final minutes, when some might get into basket-hunting mode, Scott unselfishly produced shots for his teammates.
 
"I want to get my teammates involved as much as I can," he said. "If they start hitting shots, it gets everybody going. A lot of guys can shoot the ball well."
 
Twice late in the game, Scott drove and kicked the ball to an open shooter behind the arc. He turned down a shot to get walk-on Henry Thengvall a three from the corner. He passed off to Melvion Flanagan after a steal, again giving up his chance to score.
 
In the first half, he recorded three assists, all on Shocker three-pointers. Scott finished with five points, six rebounds and two blocks. He ran the offense, got the ball to teammates in the right spots and showed the ability to score.
 
"He did a really good job of being solid, being poised," Wichita State assistant coach Tyson Waterman said. "He's going to run the system. He's a team-first guy, even-keeled personality."
 
Scott, a transfer from NJCAA champion Northwest Florida State College, will back up Craig Porter Jr., at point guard for the Shockers. Last season's Shockers lacked that true point guard to give Porter break and keep things running.
 
"He knows how to play overall good basketball," Porter said. "He doesn't let people speed him up. His pace and control of the game is something a lot of guards don't have."
 
Scott, from Cleveland, played for former Shocker assistant Greg Heiar in junior college. Former Shocker center Carl Hall worked as an assistant. Both of them gave Scott plenty of good reviews about playing at Wichita State.
 
"It was all surreal hearing about it and then coming here to play," Scott said.

Heiar, now coach at New Mexico State, and Hall worked with plenty of quality point guards during their days as Shockers. With Porter taking the lead role and Scott as his understudy, that position could again be a plus.
 
Paul Suellentrop writes about Wichita State athletics for university Strategic Communications. Story suggestion? Contact him at paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu.