Women's Basketball | 11/3/2025 10:01:00 AM
By
Paul Suellentrop
Bre'Yon White is entering her fifth season of NCAA Division I basketball, and she draws on 80 games and hundreds of practices when she speaks. Her experiences matter when she talks to teammate
Maimouna Sissoko.
Sissoko's first season at Wichita State did not go as she expected after transferring from Cloud County Community College. Through the struggles and into her second season, she had White to help.
"She's my girl," Sissoko said. "She always tried to be here for all of us. Coming from juco, the first year was not as easy as I thought it was going to be."
The Shockers open the season vs. Lincoln (Mo.) University at 6 p.m. tonight (Monday, ESPN+) at Koch Arena. It is an exhibition game for the NCAA Division II Blue Tigers.
White, who transferred to WSU from TCU, saw the size and raw ability possessed by Sissoko last season. Sissoko, from Bamako, Mali, needed to improve, but she started from a good place after averaging 16.5 points and 12.6 rebounds at Cloud.
"That's one person I go to a lot and say 'Mai, you got this, you know you can do this,'" White said. "It's just reminding her who she is. Her hard work, her effort, her will is not going unnoticed."
Sissoko played in 21 games for the Shockers last season as a reserve center, averaging nine minutes a game. Coach
Terry Nooner sees a bigger role for Sissoko, a 6-foot-3 senior. Her performance in last week's exhibition win over Newman University showed progress the Shockers need to see continue.
"She's added a mid-range jump shot, which is big," Nooner said. "For her, it's being a lot more comfortable and understanding what I need from her. There's a lot more confidence in what she brings to the table."
Guard
Jaila Harding, a newcomer, heard about Sissoko's improvement when she joined the team in the early summer. She saw it come to life against Newman.
"She's super strong and she gets after it in the post," Harding said. "She was doing Euro-steps in practices and moving like a guard. I was like 'Wow, she's going to be perfect for us.'"
Last season was full of new experiences and new demands for Sissoko, who earned All-Jayhawk Conference honors at Cloud as a sophomore.
"I didn't know much about DI basketball," she said. "You have to work hard, and you have to fight for your place."
Sissoko understands her role as a rebounder and defender for the Shockers. She showed Nooner a glimpse of what he expects with 10 points and 10 rebounds vs. Memphis last season. A season of work on the track and in the weight, room are helping her strength and endurance.
"I played hard (in the exhibition)," she said. "I didn't think too much. It was like 'OK, I'm here to have to fun,' and that is what I did."
Paul Suellentrop writes about Wichita State athletics for university Strategic Communications. Story suggestion? Contact him at paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu.
Season tickets are on sale now, and season ticket renewals are available as well. To purchase, visit
GoShockers.com/Tickets, dial 316-978-FANS (3267) or stop by the Shocker Ticket Office, located inside Charles Koch Arena, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
