Wichita State junior forward Henry Thengvall wraps up his big summer by joining the podcast. We discuss his surprise at the recent scholarship announcement that rewarded him for his work on the court and in the weight room. We talk about rooting for the Shockers as a youngster and watching the 2013 Final Four team. We dive into the Thengvall family and why he enjoyed the ban on video games and the encouragement to run around the neighborhood. Thengvall also lets us in on his thoughts on the Shockers and why he likes the competitiveness of this season’s team.
Zach Bush is in his fifth year as coach of the AfterShocks and he joins the podcast to talk TBT and more. We start with his move to coach basketball at Maize High School, his coaching influences and how he deals with multi-sport athletes. We also talk about the addition of former Shocker Clevin Hannah to the coaching staff at Maize. Zach updates us on the AfterShocks roster and newcomers he feels will fit in well. What’s the future for the AfterShocks? We discuss that as well. The AfterShocks open play in The Basketball Tournament on Friday at 8 p.m. vs. No Excuses in the Wichita Regional. The winner advances to Sunday’s game at Koch Arena.
Steve Rainbolt is the director of track and field at Wichita State and he wrapped up 25 years leading the program this spring. We talk about why he starts athletes out “playing track,” and why he gets emotional thinking about conference titles. We also discuss some of his top athletes (and some of his lesser-known favorites) and his affinity for Cessna Stadium and its place in Kansas track and field history. In those 25 years, the Shockers won 35 conference team titles and earned 83 All-American awards. Rainbolt earned Midwest Region Coach of the Year eight times while at Wichita State and is a 28-time conference coach of the year.
We continue our series introducing fans to the Wichita State basketball newcomers with big men and freshmen. Will Berg describes his mushroom pasta sauce without revealing his secret recipe. Emmanuel Okorafor talks about handling social media and why it is important to avoid comparing himself to others. Freshman Tyrus Rathan-Mayes details the rise of Canadian basketball and the international style of play. Fellow freshman Pierre Couisnard discusses how recovering from knee surgeries shaped his journey and describes playing for his dad, current Shocker assistant coach P.J. Couisnard.
We continue our series introducing fans to the Wichita State basketball newcomers with big men Noah Hill and Dillon Battie and guards Brian Amuneke and Michael Gray Jr. Noah makes a passionate case for LeBron as the greatest. He also talks about his development and his maturity at Sunrise Christian Academy. DIllon talks about his basketball family and his journey to the sport. Brian reveals that “chill fits 24-7” guides his wardrobe choices. MIchael is impressed by the coaching staff’s attention to detail and how coach Paul Mills keeps practices intense and focused. We also discuss music, uniform numbers and which Shocker wins a game of HORSE.
We start our series introducing fans to the Wichita State basketball newcomers with guards Kenyon Giles and Dre Kindell and forwards Karon Boyd and Jaret Valencia. We discuss music prep, advice for youngsters and debate the NBA greatest. Giles talks about the importance of confidence for shooters and Kindell reveals why he wears No. 3. Boyd and Valencia share their love for playing defense and why coach Paul Mills is counting on them “taking the joy” from scorers this season.
Former Shocker Jody Larson plays professional volleyball in Switzerland. She joins us to talk about the adjustment to Europe, why she wants to live in Switzerland and her favorite foods. We also discuss playing for her mom in high school, playing for Shockers coach Chris Lamb and the famous “soup can” story from Lamb’s library of talks. Larson played the 2015 and 2016 seasons at Wichita State after transferring from Oklahoma. In 2016, she earned honorable mention All-American honors as an opposite. She played for Sm’Aesch in 2024-25 and will return to that club in 2025-26.
Jaila Harding and Cheyenne Banks wrap up our early summer series on newcomers on the Wichita State women’s basketball roster. Harding talks about returning home to play her final season of college basketball and explains the statistical oddity regarding her three-point shooting at New Mexico State. Banks discusses why she wears No. 42, her love for gardening and how she convinced her father to let her quit cheerleading and switch to basketball.
Abby Cater, Azjah (pronounced Asia) Reeves and Taya Davis join the podcast as we continue to introduce Wichita State’s women’s basketball newcomers. Cater talks about her career plans for basketball broadcasting and her affection for Kevin Durant. Reeves reveals her connection with Russell Westbrook of the NBA. Davis discusses playing point guard and why she prefers passing to scoring.
Jaida McDonald, Treasure Thompson and Diamond Richardson start the series introducing newcomers to the Wichita State women’s basketball team. We talk about choosing the Shockers, favorite pro athletes and the story behind their jersey number. We also discuss pre-game music, social media and advice for high school athletes.
