Men's Basketball | 8/2/2022 3:30:00 PM
Gus Okafor watched the AfterShocks and didn't focus on the Conner Frankamp jump shots, the Markis McDuffie dunk or the Elam Ending.
Okafor, a newcomer on Wichita State's basketball roster, watched the AfterShocks play defense. He saw them bust through screens, harass ball-handlers and contest shots.
He saw the links between the way those former Shockers play and summer practices. He loved how the Koch Arena crowd cheered defensive stops and hustle.
"The first thing it sparked in my mind was the way that the AfterShocks are connected on defense," he said. "And how the crowd, they don't react to scoring, really. They react to toughness - toughness plays like blocks, getting on the floor, getting a jump ball. Toughness stuff."
Okafor, a 6-foot-6 senior forward from Baltimore, wants to be one of the Shockers who inspires that reaction from fans this winter.
"That's stuff I'm good at," he said. "Shocker fans are going to love me."
The Shockers wrapped up their summer session last week. Through team practices, individual skills work and weightlifting, Okafor established himself as a mature figure on the team, growing into vocal leadership duties and playing hard.
"When he gets to a college campus, he's not a needy kid," coach
Isaac Brown said. "He's one of those guys who feels like he made it to big-time college basketball, and he can look back on his situation and feel real appreciation."
He is the type of teammate coaches count on to require others to finish sprints by touching the line.
"He's being a pretty direct leader, alongside me," senior guard
Craig Porter Jr., said. "He's matching energy and making sure nobody slacks behind."
Okafor, a transfer from Southeastern Louisiana, approaches his time as a Shocker in this serious manner in part because of his background. He spent around two years in a family shelter in Washington, D.C., with his mother and two siblings around the ages of 5-7.
"We were there while my mom was in school," he said.
That time living in small apartments, he said, makes him appreciate the life of an NCAA Division I athlete. His focus is on improving his skills and his conditioning, not on the amenities of college athletics.
"Living on your own is a blessing to me," he said. "Being able to go to school is a blessing."
Okafor came to Wichita State in June weighing 241 pounds and is down to 227. Over the summer, he worked to increase his agility and move quickly, so he can guard big and small opponents. He worked on his durability, so he can play big minutes without wearing down.
"Gus has a very pro mindset and approach to his physical preparation," said
Ryan Horn, head strength and conditioning coach. "He sees it. He feels it. He posts videos on Instagram dunking. He's getting off the floor easier. He's changing directions better. He feels more productive on the floor, because he's working on those things."
Okafor earned All-Southland Conference honors last season after averaging 14.6 points and 6.4 rebounds at Southeastern Louisiana. At Wichita State, his maturity, versatility and his energy put him prominently in the plans.
"He's a tough kid who plays like his hair is on fire all the time," Brown said. "He can play multiple positions on offense. He can really shoot. He's one of those guys you can isolate, and he can score."
All those descriptions draw from several of the AfterShocks that Okafor watched. Players such as McDuffie, Rashard Kelly and Zach Brown charged the AfterShocks defense with their aggressiveness and ability to take on all positions.
Brown emphasized that approach all summer with the Shockers. Okafor is listening to his message about defense and toughness.
"It's about how you've got to play defense every single play," Okafor said. "The AfterShocks did a good job of showing us how it's done."
Paul Suellentrop covers Wichita State Athletics and the American Athletic Conference for university Strategic Communications. Story suggestion? Contact him at paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu.
