Men's Basketball | 6/20/2025 12:29:00 PM

By Paul Suellentrop
 
TJ Williams knows the Shockers need his voice, his experience and his talent to start basketball practices this summer. Williams, one of three returners, prepared in all three areas to get the summer started in the right way.
 
"I came in last year as a rook and I came in this year as an O.G.," Williams said. "It was a real time jump for me."
 
Williams, the 2024 Kansas Gatorade Player of the Year at Heights High School, redshirted as a freshman due to a knee injury. The Shockers started full practices earlier this week and Williams, a 6-foot-5 guard, is the man who knows how to use his voice, run drills and recommend a barber.
 
"He does his job as a returner," said guard Kenyon Giles, a graduate transfer from UNC Greensboro. "This is different for all of us, especially me, and he helps out a lot."
 
The injury sidelined Williams during non-conference play. He practiced starting in January and his work during that time shows up.
 
"Defensively, he's further along than a lot of these guys," coach Paul Mills said. "He understands what needs to take place. When you're armed with that kind of knowledge, you're going to go into a situation better prepared. He's armed with knowledge, and he already had the physical tools."
 
Williams mentions adding muscle first when asked about returning from the injury.
 
"That was a big, big, big, big emphasis on last year, coming back stronger," he said.
 
The Shockers lost their top eight scorers from last season. Williams didn't need coaches to push him into a bigger leadership role. He considers that natural and honed during his experiences helping Heights to the Class 6A title in 2022 and runner-up finishes in 2023 and 2024.
 
He credits former Shocker guard Xavier Bell, an All-American Athletic Conference pick last season, with setting an example. Bell, also from Wichita, spoke up in practice, practiced every day with a purpose and improved each season.
 
 

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"I want to give everybody confidence," Williams said. "(Bell) was the loudest in the gym last year. Going under his wing, seeing what he does every day. Always going hard. Coming in here and impacting that for your team."
 
While the Shockers are working on all aspects this summer, everyone will be watching the shooting. Last season's team made 30.5 percent of its three-pointers. Improving that statistic was a recruiting emphasis. Brian 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 Giles at 40.2. Monmouth transfer Jaret Valencia is a career 37.9 percent shooter with limited attempts in two seasons.
 
"We can do that very well," Williams said. "Seeing guys hit shots consecutively, tired, not tired, during scrimmages, on their own. Seeing guys in the gym is great."
 
Paul Suellentrop writes about Wichita State athletics for university Strategic Communications. Story suggestion? Contact him at paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu.

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