Men's Basketball | 9/25/2026 8:47:00 AM

By Paul Suellentrop
 
While Wichita State coach Paul Mills recognizes the uncertainty, he is at a spot where he can seriously discuss Kenyon Giles as a part of his basketball team.
 
"If he's able to play . . . I think he would be conference player of the year, projected," Mills said. "He wanted to be a part of the city of Wichita. He wanted to be a part of what we consider a restoration process, getting Wichita State back in the top 25."
 
Mills emphasized the unprecedented and uncertain circumstances with Giles, a 5-foot-10 guard who helped rejuvenate Wichita State basketball with his scoring flair last season. The Shockers, 24-12 and NIT quarterfinalists in 2025-26, had their first full team practice on Wednesday.
 
On Wednesday, Giles' potential return to uniform moved in the right direction when a preliminary injunction in Indiana stopped the NCAA from barring Giles and others from competing in 2026-27.
 
Giles and the other plaintiffs seek a fifth year of eligibility, a tenure that will become standard under new NCAA age-based eligibility rules going forward. The NCAA does not want high school athletes from the class of 2022 included in the new eligibility rules.
 
Mills said legal proceedings could delay a final decision into January. Giles is in school, practicing and eligible to play at this moment.
 
 

Just adding to his single season totals...

124 made 3-pointers (Most in school history)
18 20-point games (T-2nd)
677 points (3rd)@Kengocrzzy pic.twitter.com/gDoH4hJYoh

— Wichita State Men's Basketball (@GoShockersMBB) March 23, 2026

 
 
"It's just been a really weird summer," Mills said. "You're talking to attorneys more than you're talking to coaches. This is a long process."
 
While Giles' status remains uncertain, his return has been a possibility since June. That gave Mills and coaches time to plan and time to gauge the reaction of teammates to his addition to the roster. Giles, Mills said, declined professional options such as the NBA Summer League.
 
"I can tell you that, overwhelmingly, he was welcomed back," Mills said. "I called (players) and said, 'Give me your thoughts.'"
 
Last season's offense that relied heavily on Giles will look different, with more Shockers capable of scoring and helping teammates score. Giles averaged 19.1 points last season and made a school-record 125 three-pointers (331 attempts) on his way to all-conference honors in what appeared to be his senior season.
 
Mills expects the 2026-27 Shockers to feature more scorers and lessen the load on Giles. Newcomers Jordan Frison and Jahari Long will play with him in the backcourt. Both averaged double figures at their previous stops and both are good passers.
 
Guard Michael Gray Jr., returns, although he also must be granted another year of eligibility by the NCAA. Mills said WSU feels positive about his case, which centers on injuries that cut previous seasons short.
 
Mills recruited Frison and Long to use their passing skills to highlight frontcourt players such as center Will Berg and forwards Dillon Battie and T.J. Williams. A year ago, all three were developing athletes and Giles often needed to be the focus of the offense.
 
Giles rejoins a team with a stronger offensive profile, thanks to the newcomers and more options in the frontcourt. Mills called his plans organic, instead of running sets designed for one player. Giles' deep shooting range should open space for the big men in the lane and for guards to drive.
 
"It's going to be different," Mills said. "We're going to be way more skilled. KG will be a part of the offense. I don't know we will have to rely on his usage as much as we did a year ago."
 
Giles, at this point, is fun to think about and a scary proposition for opposing coaches. However, as Mills made clear, more legal obstacles likely await.
 
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.