AfterShocks | 7/30/2025 3:04:00 PM

By Paul Suellentrop
 
Conner Frankamp watched his teammates and decided to watch some more. The AfterShocks didn't need him on the court to finish out a win over Forever Coogs, so he told coach Zach Bush to keep him on the bench for the fourth quarter.
 
"He knew we were itching to put him back in, and he was like 'Let them go, they're playing well,'" Bush said.
 
Frankamp, also protecting a sore ankle, didn't play a minute in the fourth quarter and Elam Ending of that 66-63 win in the third round of The Basketball Tournament at Koch Arena last week.
 
The AfterShocks play We Are D3 at 7 p.m. Thursday (FS1) at Koch Arena in the Final Four. They are two wins from the tournament's $1 million prize.
 
That type of depth is great, but only if the players accept their minutes may vary depending on the circumstance. Four TBT games in, depth is perhaps the biggest edge the AfterShocks enjoy. Frankamp recognized the trend of the game while watching teammates such as Marcus Keene and Nike Sibande finish off Forever Coogs.
 
"They had a good rhythm," Frankamp said. "They were doing great. It all comes down to having the right guys, good guys. We're all here for one goal – winning it all."
 
The AfterShocks are in the TBT semifinals for a second time. This season's team features nine players averaging between 14.8 and 25.5 minutes. Six average between 7.3 and 14.5 points, led by Sibande who comes off the bench. The depth, no travel and days off in between games should help the AfterShocks remain fresh.
 
"I understand Zach has a lot to work with because we have such a deep team," forward Markis McDuffie said. "No one complains. When you come out of the game, come out of the game. It's going to be somebody else's turn. That's the good thing about our team – there's no drop-off."
 
 

SIBANDEEEEEEE pic.twitter.com/4vqeU54uZQ

— AfterShocks - Wichita State's TBT Team (@AfterShocksTBT) July 28, 2025

 
 
While the core of the team remains former Wichita State athletes Frankamp, McDuffie, Rashard Kelly and Trey Wade, Bush doesn't hesitate to go with others in the game's crucial moments.
 
On Sunday, Bush went with Keene, Kelly, Sibande, center Marcus Santos Silva and James Woodard for the Elam Ending. Woodard played a TBT-high 24 minutes and scored a TBT-high 12 points. Bush said he plans the game's early rotations and then largely makes decisions based on the flow of the game after that. He is also mindful that it can be difficult for a player to gear up without adequate playing time.
 
"Nobody's complained or been frustrated," Bush said. "We thought (Woodard) maybe didn't get enough minutes in the first half, so that was on our mind in the second half. He's got to be on the floor more. Thankfully, he stayed ready. True professional."
 
The roster is also stocked with scorers such as Keene, Sibande, McDuffie, Frankamp and Woodard who can create shots against good defense or late in the shot clock. It is, Bush agrees, the deepest list of that kind of talent in the team's six seasons.
 
"You need pros who get paid to do that, get paid to go score the basketball," he said. "You can promote running good offense, but at the end of the day you need players who can score the basketball when things aren't being created for them. It's not just one or two guys like it's been in past years."
 
Six AfterShocks have reached double figures, led by Sibande's 25 points vs. Challenge ALS. Santos Silva is a post-up threat who made 7 of 8 shots and scored 15 points against Forever Coogs.
 
"That's scary for teams," McDuffie said. "Everybody has their own role and own personality. I love that it all comes together."
 
The 10-man roster can hit opponents with outside shooting, drives to the basket and good free throw shooting. Dividing up playing time seems a pleasure for a team with that many options. Two more wins and the AfterShocks will divide up the $1 million payday.
 
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.