Jasmine Peaks, Taylor Jameson and Princess Anderson continue our series on Shocker basketball newcomers. We talk about why they chose Wichita State, their favorite NBA and WNBA stars and summer workouts. Wichita State leaves for the Virgin Islands later this month where it will play two exhibition games.
AfterShocks coach Zach Bush gets us ready for The Basketball Tournament (which starts July 20 at Koch Arena). We break down newcomers to the roster and how the recruiting timeline works. We talk about returners such as Conner Frankamp, Rashard Kelly and Darral Willis. We also discuss Bush’s high school coaching career and why it would be fun and fitting for Joe Ragland to get a moment one summer as a member of the AfterShocks.The AfterShocks play July 20 at noon against Midtown Prestige at Koch Arena, televised on FS1. Midtown Prestige is also a Wichita-based team with several local athletes on the roster or coaching. The winner plays July 22.
Wichita State basketball freshmen TJ Williams and Zion Pipkin join our series on the newcomers. Williams talks about staying at home to play, his time as a Shockers ball boy and his understanding of the history of Heights High School basketball. Pipkin, from Houston, describes what it takes to be a great point guard and how he is improving his leadership skills. He also talks about playing in high school for former Shocker P.J. Couisnard, who demands his athletes work on defense and likes to remind them of his performance in the 2006 NCAA Tournament win over Tennessee.
Wichita State basketball newcomers Corey Washington, Zane Meeks, AJ McGinnis and Justin Hill talk about their journey to Wichita State, early impressions of practices and favorite NBA players. They agree on the NBA’s GOAT, dispense advice to the youngsters and discuss football as a second sport. Washington is a 6-foot-6 forward from Little Rock, Arkansas. He transferred to WSU from St. Peter’s University in New Jersey. He has two seasons of eligibility at WSU. Meeks is a 6-foot-9 forward from Prairie Village, Kansas. He transfers to Wichita State from Arizona State, where an ankle injury limited him to five games. In 2023, he averaged 10.3 points while starting at the University of San Francisco. McGinnis is a 6-foot-4 senior guard who transfered from Lipscomb, where he averaged 13.2 points and 2.3 rebounds. Justin Hill is a 6-foot senior guard from Houston. He transfers to Wichita State after two seasons at Georgia, where he averaged 9.5 points and 3.2 assists in 2024.
Wichita State women’s basketball newcomers K.P. Parr, Bre White and Kyleigh Ortiz join us to talk about their first weeks as Shockers. They describe the family atmosphere that WSU coaches create during recruiting. Parr discusses why it’s important to be remembered for more than basketball. White reveals her musical side and Ortiz tells us why she is Kevin Durant fan. We also talk TV shows, advice for young athletes and jersey numbers.
Wichitan Patrick Harrison is the new assistant women’s basketball coach. We talk about playing at Campus High School for his father and a coaching journey through junior colleges, an NAIA stop, and other places before returning to WSU. Harrison, a Shocker graduate assistant under former coach Jody Adams, discusses lessons from those successful seasons and why he wants to work for Terry Nooner. We also discuss his favorite James Bond movies and favorite Bond actor.
Wichita State’s Harlond Beverly joins the podcast with the story of why his dad wanted him to wear No. 20 and the NBA player who also wore that number. We discuss Beverly’s admiration of LeBron James and his growing affection for UFC. We also talk about why the Shockers improved over the season’s final weeks. He describes how coach Paul Mills challenged him to be a better offensive player and how Mills’ work building relationships pays off. We wrap up with movie talk, diving into Beverly’s favorite films by Christopher Nolan.
On the anniversary of one of that season’s memorable wins, we look back on the 2014 Wichita State basketball season. The Shockers won 35 straight games and earned a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Mike Kennedy and Bob Lutz discuss the NBA talent on that team, the team’s historical importance and the rally at Missouri State on Jan. 11, 2014. We talk about the joys of the regular season, why Tekele Cotton was one of the stars on this team and why Bob predicted an unbeaten season before anyone else. We break down the strength of schedule, the Saint Louis game that sparked a kerfuffle with Doug Gottlieb and hand out plenty of trivia questions.
Bob Hull, entering season No. 17 as the color voice on radio and TV for Shocker basketball, discusses Wichita State’s 3-0 start and what that small sample of results might tell us about the rest of the season. We discuss Wichita State’s tempo, how the Shockers space the floor and why communication is so important for the defense. We also talk about Xavier Bell’s driving ability and why the big men work well together. We wrap up with Bob’s picks for the most memorable games and opponents of the past 17 seasons and his enthusiasm for the new Rolling Stones music.
Wichita State seniors DJ McCarty and Tre’Zure Jobe update us on Shocker Madness, what it’s like playing for coach Terry Nooner and why McCarty welcomed a competitor at guard to the team. We discuss the “Easy Run,” which – spoiler alert – isn’t easy, why McCarty stayed at Wichita State and we try to convince her to remain in Wichita after graduation.
