Speaker 1 00:00:11 Hello and welcome to the roundhouse podcast. This is Paul Solman, tropical Wichita state university, strategic communications. We're going to talk about women's basketball, Wichita state. We have DJ McHardy. DJ is a sophomore guard from DeSoto, Texas, and she is joined by Ella and co Ella is a freshman center from Wichita attended Cape a Mount Carmel high school. Let's start by talking about the story behind the numbers that you were DJ. You were number one, Ella, you have chosen, I'm looking on the 13, which there's gotta be a good story behind 13 DJ, your number one. What's the story.
Speaker 2 00:00:51 So growing up, I always went through a couple of numbers. I went through number one and number 10, and eventually it came down to which number fit my personality. And I told him number one, because I feel like I'm just number one in everybody's life. I realize I'm just the light everybody's life. So I feel like I'm more than fits. My personality
Speaker 1 00:01:13 Could goals. Ella 13,
Speaker 3 00:01:15 13 was always just my number that I picked all throughout club basketball. And then in high school I was number 45. So I just decided that when I came to a GSA and I just wanted to go back to being number 13 and I wish I had a better story, but that's, that's pretty much.
Speaker 1 00:01:32 Okay. So you're not superstitious at all? No, no worries on that. Right, but I'd love for the other team, I guess is the way we'll think about it. Think about it. Okay. The shockers you got out in front of the fans on Tuesday at shocker madness, you've got real games coming up, uh, exhibition against Missouri Southern on November 4th. And then you open the season on November 9th, against Chicago state at Koch arena. So DJ give us some insight where in the building process, our practices now, what are you working on? How are you kind of putting things together for, for three weeks from now
Speaker 2 00:02:05 Our main focus or practice lately has been defense, just toning up the rotations and getting the stands together and just being a team on the court and playing defense. And I feel like that kind of helps us a lot because, you know, we have a lot of newcomers coming in, so they may not know the rotations. They may not know where to know. And so having a lot of people coming back, we get to share that experience and tell them, okay, so if I go here, you go here or whoever's goes to the ball. We just grew up on the talk. So I think that really helps us out a lot for what's coming up or the exhibitions, the scrimmage incident.
Speaker 1 00:02:42 So, yeah, DJ, this is your third season here. Now, are you taking more and more of that leadership role, you're able to tell people, you know, here's, what's coming, here's where you need to be. These are the situations, that kind of thing.
Speaker 2 00:02:53 I try to be more of a vocal leader. I'm more of a, like a do it first and then they have questions they can ask me. But I'm trying to get into that process of being a vocal leader, using my ones. Cause I am a returner. I am a upper-class. So I feel like that'd be very beneficial to everybody.
Speaker 1 00:03:09 I know throughout the summer, Keith Adams, I emphasize shooting scoring a lot. Uh, Ella, tell us about the summer drills and how this team is progressing as far as putting the ball in the basket.
Speaker 3 00:03:20 Well, so I was here all summer. I got to start workouts in June since I'm from Wichita. And I think that was really helpful for me starting the transition process earlier. Um, during the summer specifically, we do a lot of shooting drills, just working on tuning up our shots and getting lots of shots of working on different ways to score. I was working with my coaches before and after practice getting, um, post moves down. Um, so I think that that time is really helpful for us specifically because obviously scoring is a really, really important part of the game. And so is defense. So now that we've working on both those things, we're just gonna keep putting it all together.
Speaker 1 00:03:56 DJ, tell us about the, the scoring from your standpoint, uh, what kind of progress have you seen? Um,
Speaker 2 00:04:02 As a team collectively, I know we're returning a lot of our top scores. I feel like added with the newcomers. That that'd be very helpful. I feel I will put up a lot of numbers next year and I feel like we're still learning how each other plays to the wedding where each other wants the ball and when to give it to them, everything. But I feel like, make sure we're going to be a team or will this up from you. We're going to be a team. And we're going to put a lot of points in the home.
Speaker 1 00:04:25 Ella biggest adjustment from high school to college.
Speaker 3 00:04:29 Um, I definitely would say speed and intensity. I was the first thing I noticed, even in our weightlifting workouts, we were doing just the intensity and level of quickness that they instill in us from day one to just get in there, be productive, get what you need to get done and keep going. So definitely speed and intensity. And I think we've done it. My coaches have done a good job of helping me try to adjust to that even during practices so that we can, all the newcomers can be ready for that when we step on the court.
Speaker 1 00:04:58 So tell us a little bit about the recruiting process for you, Ella. How did you end up choosing Wichita state?
Speaker 3 00:05:03 Well, I always knew that, I mean, my family has always been a very important part of my life. Um, so I always wanted to stay pretty close to home. I didn't know that that would end up being Wichita state, but I ended up, um, developing a close connection with the coaching staff and just feeling, um, a very special connection with them that I didn't have with anyone else. And I knew that I knew that I wanted to be a part of this program. And so that's why I ended up.
Speaker 1 00:05:30 Okay, DJ, let's go back to your experiences here. Third season, what's kind of the best advice. What's top of mind that you've been giving to the, uh, to some of the newcomers about how to, how to navigate college on the court, off the court and all that.
Speaker 2 00:05:45 Um, I've been the best piece of bias for on the court is listen to the coaches because you know, I've been here for three years and I feel like they've never told me anything wrong. They never seen me in a wrong direction. Uh, I feel like what they're telling you really sinks in and it's really going to help me. And then often, or I would say to stay or still use using make sure you played everything on time. Energy is a really big thing because you can be an athlete all you want, but if you don't have the studies to back it up, then what, what makes the student athletes? So just listening to the coaches and then making sure time is money is a big thing on the, off the wall.
Speaker 1 00:06:20 So Ella, you then would have the perspective of being a newcomer, which of the, which of the veterans have maybe been helpful and what advice have they given you?
Speaker 3 00:06:28 But all of them have been really helpful for me, both on and off the court. Um, just giving me advice as they see that I need it. I mean, I think I've already always done a decent job with, um, time management, but especially on the court. Um, I talked about this the other day to a Cobra. It's helped me a lot. Um, just being able to battle and work against her and see how she does things as a senior. Um, I think has been super helpful for me already.
Speaker 1 00:06:57 So DJ a fans got a little taste on Tuesday, shocker madness, uh, be a couple of weeks and they'll be able to see games hit the fans with a newcomer or two that maybe they haven't seen that you think is, is, is worth keeping an eye on.
Speaker 2 00:07:12 Um, I think all our newcomers, our work people, there's not a single person that doesn't come to practice and doesn't work hard and like try to prove that they're supposed to be here. But, um, if I had to pick one out, I think my favorite would be of course BD, because like she does go against the polls that really, I do see her down there where again, we do try to get her to the wall and we see her and give it to her high and where she wanted it. So I think maybe the home tacker.
Speaker 1 00:07:37 Wow, sorry. Hell his nickname is biggie. Okay. Is that, is that new at Wichita state or is that a long time nickname
Speaker 3 00:07:44 That started within life? Probably I would say probably my first week with workouts. I don't know who started it. It was probably Somebody, men. I just remember I was doing drill one day and they're like, here we go, baby. And I was like, well, guess we got a new nickname.
Speaker 1 00:07:59 That's a good, good nickname. A lot of history, the nickname biggie. So I would, I would embrace that. So Ella Wichita state has players from France, Spain, Russia, Mozambique, Belgium, Uganda, New Zealand. And of course the United States. So you're kind of dropped into this very diverse, very interesting team. What's that experience like for a, for a new car?
Speaker 3 00:08:21 Honestly, I think it's been something that it's been different than I ever could have expected. Um, but it's been really special, especially living with these girls I live with, uh, dizzily nuke and Melissa. And so that's New Zealand, Spain and France right there. And those are the girls that I'm with and living with all the time. So it's just been really fun, honestly, just to kind of see our cultures and different backgrounds come together and find differences and how we were raised. There are different things, um, from their countries that now they're here and they're experiencing, they're experiencing my country and especially to be in my hometown. Um, I've been able to show them around. And so I hope that one day I'll be able to go and experience the same thing for them. Just so that go visit there someday.
Speaker 1 00:09:09 Well, that only seems fair that if you show them, keep her the planes, they should take you to New Zealand. That seems like a good, it seems like a good trade. Uh, I've done so many stories on international athletes over the years. The food is always fascinating, you know, their adjustment to the United States, food and food that they bring there, any cooks in the group. Have you experienced any new foods that have been that really caught your taste buds?
Speaker 3 00:09:34 No, I haven't. I wish that they would cook for me. Like I feel like if anything, I would be the cook, but I'm not sure that they, that I would kick them anything that they can't get from anywhere else.
Speaker 1 00:09:48 So your role of tour guide, I'd heard about that. Where have you shown them around Wichita?
Speaker 3 00:09:52 Honestly, I've just, we've been, um, with my family a lot. Um, just, it's been really nice to have, um, my house just 10 minutes away that we can go back and see my family and get a home cooked meal if we need to. Um, where else have I taken them? Few restaurants? Honestly, we've been pretty busy, so we haven't had a crazy amount of time to just go explore, but I would like to take them downtown sometime soon down by the river and just get to show them some stuff like that. But being with my family, I think has been the best part.
Speaker 1 00:10:23 You mentioned practicing against a tree, Jada Colbert, uh, Asia strong. I would imagine there's some experience post players. What is that experience like? Are they teaching you kind of the tricks and how to, how to do things and how to, how to work with the referees, how to get the most out of, out of positioning, all those kinds of things?
Speaker 3 00:10:40 Yeah. I think that honestly, they both teach me through their actions the best, like I said, getting to play against both through Jada and Asia, I think has been very, very beneficial for me because coming in this summer, um, I mean, they're both, they're both stronger than me, obviously more experienced. And so just getting to work against them and see how they move their bodies and how they beat their defense. And I think that's been the most helpful for me to just watch them and observe and learn from their example.
Speaker 1 00:11:11 So Wichita state has an interesting non-conference schedule. It gets started, but we've all, we've got a road trip to Wyoming and Denver going to Northern Iowa later, uh, Kansas, Oklahoma DJ, what non-conference game are you maybe looking forward to a little bit more than the others?
Speaker 2 00:11:27 Um, looking forward to it too, I'm looking forward to the Oklahoma game and then I'm looking for the game. I believe we play a then UNC, because it's very close to Harvey and I get to see my, a lot of my family. So, but I really think Oklahoma is the number one. Cause of course there are a really good program and we played them two years ago and that was, that was one of the best games we play all year. So I think Oklahoma is number
Speaker 1 00:11:51 One, that was a game Wichita state won a couple of years ago. I remember that. Yeah, it was just looking at north Texas. So you've been from the, from that area. That will be a big one. Big one for you. Now, how about you, is there a game that, that jumps off the schedule at you?
Speaker 3 00:12:03 Yeah, I would also say Oklahoma. I've been looking forward to that game a lot just because I know that they're a good program, great coach program. Um, and because I I've grown up around Taylor Robertson, I used to work out with her all the time. Um, so just knowing that I get to play against someone who's obviously been very successful and also someone that I've known, um, and get to see grow throughout her career there. Um, I think it will be fun, um, to just get to play against a really good pro
Speaker 1 00:12:33 Those will be some interesting games, definitely. Uh, who, you mentioned Taylor Robertson, who's the best player you've ever played against in any setting summer high school? Uh, you know, if you had to pick one person who was boy was that was fun being on the court with that athlete, who would that be?
Speaker 3 00:12:53 Um, I, I played for a glimpse in Kansas city, so, uh, I played with and against Peyton Verhulst. Um, she was on my club team for a couple of years. Um, great teammate, great person. She's out Louisville right now. I also played with Diana Walker. She's also going to Louisville. Um, I feel like the Wichita area, even in the high school setting has a lot of really good athletes that I think I was blessed to be able to play
Speaker 1 00:13:18 Against DJ. How about you? Who jumps out in your mind?
Speaker 2 00:13:22 Oh, I think they're from Dallas, Texas. There's a lot of pigs, but the one that stood out to me the most was Kennedy Carter. Um, they got played against her, my whole high school career and that's just, that's a great point. And that's one of the greats
Speaker 1 00:13:37 DJ favorite w NBA player.
Speaker 2 00:13:40 That's a tough one. Uh, my favorite of all time definitely can spark in right now or Diana Taurasi. But right now we definitely say Colleen Cooper or topper, um, from Chicago Stanton is the way she's just leading her team. Even we can, as far as her, the way she's just taken on that role. And it's, it's a scientific
Speaker 1 00:13:59 Ella. How about you? Do you have a pro that you kind of look at? And
Speaker 3 00:14:02 I would definitely say Candace Parker, but I also really like watching, uh, Liz campaign, her game, um, great post player. And I think it's a good person for me to look to try and model my game on.
Speaker 1 00:14:13 I know if I were to go into the men's basketball locker room, there'd probably be arguments or discussions about, uh, you know, LeBron versus Michael Jordan, the women's basketball players have those same discussions about, uh, you know, the greatest w NBA player. Do those kinds of things. Go on.
Speaker 2 00:14:28 I don't think we argue about that a lot in the library. I mean, you know, y'all have a general idea that Colby might be with this, but we don't argue about that. The locker room.
Speaker 1 00:14:39 So there are a lot of Kobe fans on the team. Would that be right to say?
Speaker 2 00:14:42 I think they admit admitted, but I think Kobe.
Speaker 1 00:14:47 Okay. All right. DJ speaking for everybody, they all love, they all love Kobe, a book, me movie TV show. What are you watching or reading? What would you recommend for people out there to get, get hooked on?
Speaker 3 00:15:01 I think the talk of our locker room recently has been the Netflix show squad game. Um, I'm not even finished watching it yet, but I remember just like about a week and a half ago, a bunch of my teammates were like, you need to watch the show. Like, it's so good when you do watch it. So I'm about halfway through and I think you watched it too.
Speaker 2 00:15:21 He gave me like a day and a half. Um, another show I'm watching or that I currently just finished with season four on my blog. I think that was a really good show.
Speaker 1 00:15:32 I have not watched squid game yet. I'm told it's kind of like a hundred games. Give us a big brief taste of squid game for people who haven't watched it,
Speaker 3 00:15:40 Basically there's all of these. What is it? It's like a Korean show games. So it's, um, all these people that are in debt, like horrible dads that they can never pay off. And they end up getting brought into the, these games. And it's a series of, I think, six games. And if you go through all six games and you win them, then you win a bunch of money. And if you don't then silver,
Speaker 1 00:16:06 We don't want to really, we don't want to ruin the ending. So let's not, let's not spoil it. Who is the best singer on the Wichita state basketball team Or dancer? We can throw a singer slash dancer and, or dance,
Speaker 3 00:16:21 Asian share dancing all the time, all the constantly, you know, they don't even need music. It's honestly pretty impressive. Um, I don't know.
Speaker 2 00:16:30 I said, I think I'm the best thing, but I would make me have a bit senior. I think it is all fun and jokes when we see. Yeah.
Speaker 1 00:16:39 Yeah. That's true. Is there a best cook on the team?
Speaker 3 00:16:44 I don't know. CB and Jane seem to be having some pretty good meals in their apartment, but I can cook. I haven't been cooking lately cause I'm living in the dining hall, but I can cook too. I can cook.
Speaker 1 00:17:11 Thank you for listening to the roundhouse podcast, courtesy of Wichita state university, strategic communications. We appreciate your time. We encourage you to rate review, subscribe, wherever you get your podcasts, such as on iTunes or Google play. You can find more roundhouse
[email protected]. Thank you for listening
Speaker 4 00:17:32 And they let him pass it up court and then it gets picked off a long free by PENGOS no good. One second. It's over. It is over. And what your task has beaten. The number one team in the nation to go to the sweet 16 go crazy Wichita.
