Men's Basketball | 5/21/2025 8:34:00 AM

By Paul Suellentrop
 
Recruiting is compared to speed dating these days, but within the rush is a lot of study time for Wichita State men's basketball coaches.
 
Coach Paul Mills and his staff needed to rebuild the roster this off-season with 10 players – eight of them NCAA Division I transfers – signed or committed since April. They join two signed last fall and returners Joy Ighovodja, TJ Williams and Henry Thengvall.
 
The spring recruiting period sends coaches diving into video and statistics and making calls to coaches to check fit and background. Mills talked to Purdue assistant Paul Lusk about center Will Berg. Mills marveled at Brian Amuneke's shooting in Mountain West Conference play as the freshman grew comfortable and healthy. He leaned on NBA friends such as Monty Williams for advice on putting a team together quickly.
 
"There was a time where it was ten consecutive days where we had a recruit on campus," Mills said Tuesday. "We would take one to the airport. We would pick up another one."
 
All the Shockers return to campus by June 2 to start summer practices. He expects intense workouts, lots of two-hour practices and an emphasis on identifying how this team needs to play and committing to that plan.
 
Wichita State went 19-15 last season with an NIT bid. All nine players who started a game last season either exhausted eligibility (seven) or transferred (two).
 
"June 2 can't be an experiment," Mills said. 'I probably spend six to eight hours a day watching video, of our teams, of other teams, trying to get a gauge, because you need to be ready to go June 2."
 



The plan starts with Shockers who Mills believes are passionate about the sport and want to improve so they can play professionally.
 
"You need players that want to be good and then to be at a place where you're in an environment that wants you to be better," Mills said. "You do want to reassure players that 'You'll be better. You're going to grow here.' The better we can get the player, the better we can get the team."
 
WSU's priority, even with a new cast, is to continue solid defense and rebounding standards set during American Athletic Conference play last season. In AAC games, the Shockers ranked fourth in defensive efficiency, first in defensive rebounding and second in offensive rebounding.
 
Just as important, Mills wanted to add shooting to bolster an offense bogged down by 30.5 percent three-point shooting. He liked WSU's frequency of lobs and layups last season and said the Shockers can continue to score that way with its new big men. Better shooters will add to the scoring threat.
 
Amuneke, a transfer from Fresno State, made 40.7 percent of his three-pointers. Michael Gray Jr., made 40.9 percent at Nicholls State with Kenyon Giles, from UNC Greensboro, at 40.2. Monmouth transfer Jaret Valencia is a career 37.9 percent shooter with limited attempts in two seasons.
 



Last season, the Shockers generated much of their offense with Xavier Bell, Corey Washington and Harlond Beverly drives and center Quincy Ballard as a lob threat. They are all gone and Mills wants to build an offense with more ways to score in the lane and better outside shooting.
 
"I do believe we have some ability to throw it into the post, guys who can really do things down there," Mills said. "It's more than just go catch flip lobs."
 
The new group of big men includes Berg, a junior from Purdue, Valencia, Seton Hall transfer Emmanuel Okorafor and Temple transfer Dillon Battie.
 
Mills said Berg told him practice battles vs. former Purdue star Zach Edey sapped his confidence for two months and then built it up as he learned and adjusted.
 
"He's got around-the-rim abilities," Mills said. "He has a defensive presence. (Purdue coach) Matt Painter raved about Will."
 
Last season, the Shockers struggled defending the three-point line early in conference play. Five of its first seven AAC opponents made 40 percent or better behind the arc. That played a major role in a 1-6 start to conference play. A six-game win streak followed, during which the Shockers held four of those opponents under 30 percent. They finished the season holding four of five opponents under 30 percent.
 
Versatile defenders such as Battie and Valencia are targeted to help defend shooting bigs who populate the AAC. Wings such as Gray, Williams and newcomer Karon Boyd, Southern Conference Defensive Player of the Year at East Tennessee State, will also help perimeter defense.
 
 
 
 
Paul Suellentrop writes about Wichita State athletics for university Strategic Communications. Story suggestion? Contact him at paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu.