[00:00:14] Speaker A: Hello, welcome to the Roundhouse Podcast with Paul Sullentrop of Wichita State University Strategic Communications. Thanks so much for listening. We are continuing our summer series introducing you to newcomers on the Wichita State basketball team. Our guests are Johari Long and Bryce Hurdle. Johari is a 6 foot 5 guard. He is from Houston, which is an increasingly popular destination for shocker recruits. Johari averaged 12.2 points, four assists and 3.3 rebounds at George Mason last season. He helped the Patriots to the National Invitation Tournament. Bryce hurd is a 6 foot 6 guard. He is from Chicago. He comes to Wichita State from Dayton, where he averaged 6.6 points, 2.4 rebounds for the Flyers last season.
Let's start with uniform numbers. Johari, you wear number 11. Give us the backstory.
[00:01:05] Speaker B: The reason I wear number 11 is because when I was in middle school, I was a huge Jamal Crawford and Kyrie Irving fan. So I just stuck with that number.
[00:01:14] Speaker A: We're going to talk about NBA guys later. Why do you like Jamal Crawford? I guess Kyrie Irving is pretty self explanatory. Tell us more about Jamal Crawford.
[00:01:22] Speaker B: Jamal Crawford, just his skill, just the way he handles the ball. I think that's something that I was able to gain or take away from his game and I just loved watching him and my dad introduced me to him when I was like in elementary. So I used to watch him a whole lot.
[00:01:37] Speaker A: Johari, tell us how you ended up here at Wichita State.
[00:01:41] Speaker B: I ended up here at Wichita when I first entered the transfer portal.
Maybe like, I want to say like five minutes after I hit submit, Coach Mills called me and we talked and I was, I really liked what he was saying that he would be able to do with me just as a player and I just like the way that he lets his guards play free and I was just a huge fan of that.
[00:02:11] Speaker A: Did you decline a bunch of phone calls before Paul Mills popped up on your screen? How did that go?
[00:02:15] Speaker B: Nah, he was actually the very first call.
He was the very first call and I really liked that. So it showed that he had a lot of interest in me as a player and he just trusted what I was able to do.
[00:02:27] Speaker A: So I hear the part about athletes liking the plan for them that they're presented give us some insight into that. What did he tell you about how he would best utilize your skills?
[00:02:39] Speaker B: Really just allowed me to play free. Just allowed me to be like a second coach on the floor and just make decisions and basically just win basketball games. That's what I was looking for the most, just being able to play Free and just win basketball games.
[00:02:55] Speaker A: Bryce, tell us how you ended up at Wichita State.
[00:02:58] Speaker C: You know, going through the process of the portal.
You know, we had our zoom call probably a couple of days into when I was in the portal, and then I came.
I came on a visit, I think, like that next Friday. And then coming out here, I was kind of skeptical, to be honest with you. But I came out here, had a great visit, you know, had a great plan, and they had a great plan for me, and I just, you know, kind of looked around. I just liked the place, I liked the culture and kind of stuck with me.
[00:03:28] Speaker A: How did they overcome your initial skepticism?
[00:03:33] Speaker C: I don't know. It was just like, I didn't know what to really expect from Kansas, honestly. I'd never been to the state, so, you know, never been to the city. But, you know, I kind of knew about Wichita State. You know, I've been to a game when I was younger when they played against. Against Loyola. So it was just cool to be here and, you know, be a part of this program. Have a chance to.
[00:03:54] Speaker A: And describe the coaches, talk with you. How are they going to utilize you? What did you like about what they had to say?
[00:03:59] Speaker C: Yeah, just a lot. Like Jahari said, a lot of freedom within the offense. You know, just, you know, I just want to win games, really. So, you know, coming to a winning culture, seeing what they did last year, and just have a chance to just boost that and, you know, build off that, it was really exciting for me.
[00:04:18] Speaker A: And you're wearing number one and you said all you had to do was ask. That just seems crazy. That should be. Feels like that should be. I'm going to read you some of the past number ones. There's a lot of really good number ones here. Kenyon Giles, last season, Xavier Bell, before him, Tyson Etienne, kind of a borderline NBA. He may have actually played in the NBA. He definitely was that kind of guy. Marcus McDuffie.
[00:04:42] Speaker C: Okay.
[00:04:42] Speaker A: Yeah.
Zach Brown, Joe Ragland Gal McHale played in the NBA. He's from Israel.
[00:04:50] Speaker C: Okay.
[00:04:51] Speaker A: Aaron Hogg. That's some pretty good number ones you got. Really good. Really good number for just showing up and asking Bryce music during the warmups. What's on your headphones? What are you listening to? Get yourself right for the game.
[00:05:05] Speaker C: Honestly, I like to play a lot of people from my city, a lot of Chicago artists. So honestly, I go on a lot of G herbo Chief Keef. I like to get amped up before the games, you know, get the energy. I just like to feel the Energy before the game. So, yeah, just get amped up with those type music.
[00:05:21] Speaker A: Johari, take us inside your playlist before a game.
[00:05:25] Speaker B: It really just depends on how I'm feeling that day. Some days it could be like R and B, some days it could be rap. Those are mainly the two that I listen to. So I listen to a lot of G herbo, a lot of youngboy.
Other days I'm listening like Teddy Pendergrass or Mary J or Alicia Keys or something like that.
[00:05:49] Speaker A: Very good. So the Shockers have been here roughly three or four weeks, practicing, doing individual drills, course lifting, all that kind of stuff, playing pickup games. Johari, give us your first impression of Shocker basketball. What's important, what makes this program go.
[00:06:06] Speaker B: My first impression is that this is probably one of the most versatile teams I've been a part of. We have a lot of players that can, you know, get to the paint and make decisions. We have a lot of athletes, we have a lot of shooters. And I just, I was really excited. I really actually shocked. Like, I feel like we're going to be one of the best teams in the country. Like, I even tell people back home that we have a chance to be like A team top 10, top 15 team in the country sometime this season.
[00:06:35] Speaker A: Bryce, how about you? What's your first impression of Shocker basketball?
[00:06:38] Speaker C: Honestly, the exact same feeling.
You know, just a lot of excitement, seeing, you know, a lot of returners. So it's a lot of people, you know, get to ask questions, don't have to always go to the coaches, just go to my teammates and, you know, they help us, help us out a lot. But, you know, just it's exciting. We have a lot of, a lot of players that can do big time things this year.
[00:07:00] Speaker A: Johari, who wins a game of horse
[00:07:02] Speaker B: on this team, A game of horse, I might have to go with Pierre Kuznard.
[00:07:14] Speaker A: Okay, good choice. Bryce, how about you?
[00:07:19] Speaker C: Getting worse.
I don't know. Probably like Johari or Jordan, something like that.
[00:07:28] Speaker A: Johari. So you visited wichita State in 2017 for a game versus Illinois State. PJ Cusnard, back then in Houston was the connection. Tell us about that visit. What impression did that leave?
[00:07:42] Speaker B: It was one of the best impressions I could have gotten for a first college basketball game.
I remember they were playing Illinois State and it was packed and it was just crazy. PJ told me that it would be that way and like the fans were like, crazy here. And I remember after the game, I think we had went to like where, you know, a lot of people come to the games, like were sitting and like as soon as we walked in, they all just yelled coos as soon as we walked in.
[00:08:10] Speaker A: So the Champions Club is, I think, what you're describing up on the concourse. Yeah. Okay. Yes.
[00:08:15] Speaker B: So yeah, I seen that and I was like, PJ a legend here and it was just amazing. I seen his picture on the wall when came here and you know, it was just a great experience for me. And I was like, I want to have a chance to do that somewhere, you know, in college someday.
[00:08:31] Speaker A: PJ was fondly remembered here for his playing career. Definitely. Jahari, you mentioned playing point guard, being a coach on the floor. Take us through the job description. What's a point guard need to do out there?
[00:08:42] Speaker B: I think the main thing for a point guard is just being vocal. I think that's the most important thing. And just understanding personnel and you know, what a teammate is good at.
Just knowing when to be aggressive, when to get others involved and just never putting my head down or something or worrying about a play that I didn't make. Just always being ready for the next play and making sure other guys are picked up as well.
[00:09:12] Speaker A: As I've watched a little bit, I'm not going to pretend I've been out there every minute of every practice, but I've watched some. I would say you play at your own pace. You are not. Nobody's hurrying you up. How do you get to that place as a point guard?
[00:09:26] Speaker B: Honestly, just a lot of playing.
I think from a lot of experience I was able to gain that part of my game.
I think it mainly started when I was, when I started playing in high school, when I was a freshman. You know, the game just felt so fast for me and. And then once I, you know, just kept playing and got more experienced and watched more basketball, I just got. Began to get more comfortable, More comfortable and, you know, it's carried me a long way.
[00:09:57] Speaker A: Do you have a point guard that you, I guess you talked about Kyrie and Jamal Crawford. Do you have point guards that you really emulate?
[00:10:05] Speaker B: So my favorite point guard when I was younger was probably Rondo.
As I've gotten older, I've watched a lot of Steve Nash, Andre Miller, just the great passing point guards and, you know, point guards who aren't afraid to be aggressive when the time when it's needed.
[00:10:27] Speaker A: Bryce, what's your favorite practice drill? Is there one that you really think is productive or one that you think really showcases what you can do?
[00:10:36] Speaker C: Favorite practice?
[00:10:37] Speaker A: Practice drill.
[00:10:39] Speaker C: I like the build up drill. It starts off, it's like two on one, then goes to three on two, and then four on three, then just eventually five on five.
There's a lot of transition. I like to get out in transition, so I think that's my favorite drill.
[00:10:54] Speaker A: Do you have a least favorite practice drill, one that you hope is not on the script for the day?
[00:11:00] Speaker C: Probably.
I haven't found one I haven't liked yet.
[00:11:05] Speaker A: That's good. That's smart. Don't tell the coaches because if they know, they'll put.
[00:11:09] Speaker C: I don't think I have one.
[00:11:10] Speaker A: Jahari, how about you? Is there a practice drill that you favor?
[00:11:13] Speaker B: Probably 65. 65. First team of 70 starts the clock for two minutes.
That's probably my favorite drill because we just playing and it's just up and down, so probably that one.
[00:11:26] Speaker A: So that's kind of a late game situation. Tie game, limited amount of time on the clock.
[00:11:31] Speaker B: Yeah. Race to 70 for the time, the clock to start, and then it's just time management from there.
[00:11:37] Speaker A: Okay. Do you have one that you're not looking forward to when you see it on there?
[00:11:41] Speaker B: The transition drill that Bryce said was his favorite.
[00:11:44] Speaker A: Okay.
The one that Bryce loves, you're not so much of a fan of. Yeah.
[00:11:49] Speaker B: I mean, my team's winning. Yeah. But when you're losing and you're doing a lot of running, it's probably the worst shoe.
[00:11:56] Speaker A: Bryce, I'm going to make you an NBA coach. You can pick any current NBA player to start your team.
Who is your choice?
[00:12:05] Speaker C: That one's tough.
I probably just still have to go LeBron.
Well, is it young LeBron or is it old LeBron?
[00:12:14] Speaker A: We'll go current just to keep it simple. Current NBA player in their current.
Current age.
[00:12:19] Speaker C: Okay, I'm gonna have to switch my answer and go Victor. When Miyama. He just has a lot of untapped potential. I feel like he's 74 that can really do everything. So, yeah, that's probably like a coach's dream. Really?
[00:12:31] Speaker A: Yes. I think we have at least one other Victor Wimbiana choice in that. That's a solid one. Jahari, how about you? Who are you starting your NBA team with?
[00:12:39] Speaker B: Does the age matter?
[00:12:41] Speaker A: Yes, age matters. You're picking current player, current age, current status.
[00:12:46] Speaker B: Probably Cooper Flagg.
That's one of my favorite players. Just because he just plays so hard every possession. And I first saw that when he was in high school. I watched the game and he was just playing so hard. Or one of my former teammates, Derrick Queen, just because he's so skilled, he can pass he can score.
Probably those two, they were in the same draft class and went to the same high school. So.
[00:13:10] Speaker A: Okay, Cooper Flagg with the Mavericks and Derrick Queen is with the Pelicans.
Okay, two solid choices.
Bryce. Kobe, LeBron or Michael Jordan. Who's your favorite?
LeBron.
[00:13:24] Speaker C: LeBron for sure.
[00:13:26] Speaker A: And tell us more about your affection for LeBron. What do you like about his game?
[00:13:30] Speaker C: I just feel like he could do everything on the floor.
He could just. He's just the greatest. To me, I think those other two are great options. Those dudes can score, do everything.
But yeah, LeBron, I just feel like it's a whole different level.
[00:13:44] Speaker A: There are no losers. No losers among those three, that's for sure. Jahari, who is your choice?
[00:13:49] Speaker B: My choice would probably be Michael Jordan. He's the greatest scorer ever and he's a winner. And, you know, I watch a lot of his film just because how well he was able to score the ball, like averaging 37 a game, is just unheard of.
[00:14:04] Speaker A: You know, Michael Jordan played in the McDonald's All American Game in this arena.
[00:14:08] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:14:08] Speaker A: Okay, you heard that?
[00:14:09] Speaker B: All right.
[00:14:10] Speaker A: Usually I get people with that bit of trivia. Yes. Michael Jordan played here one time.
Bryce, so you come to a new school, new city. Who's the shocker? Who's been most helpful telling you, hey, here's how we do this drill. Here's what the coach is like, or here's where you go to get a good hamburger. Who's kind of. Who's your. Who's your team leader here?
[00:14:32] Speaker C: I'm have to go. My go to guy has been TJ so far, especially since he's from here. So you kind of know, lay the land a little bit more there. Everybody him or Will? Will's been pretty helpful as well.
[00:14:44] Speaker A: Okay. T.J. williams has been a popular answer a Wichita, of course. And then Will Berg, who's back for his second season. Johari, who's helping you out with those kind of things?
[00:14:53] Speaker B: I would have to say T.J. williams or Mike Gray. They have been huge help for me getting acclimated to what goes on here.
[00:15:03] Speaker A: Bryce, who's the current shocker who gives you the most trouble defensively? They're guarding you and you know it's going to be a tough session or a tough pickup game.
[00:15:16] Speaker C: Probably like either Dylan or tj, you know, they just so strong. So it's like it's always a challenge with those two, but yeah, it's just
[00:15:27] Speaker A: really those two, Dylan Petit and T.J. williams are the two you mentioned. Johari, how about you, who among the guards can be a pest?
[00:15:39] Speaker B: Honestly, the three that come to my mind are like, the ones who usually play point guard. Jordan, Nunu and Mike.
They guard me the most, and they're the most physical when I'm out there. So I think going against them has just made me better in just the four weeks that I've been here.
[00:15:58] Speaker A: And Jordan Friesen, we mentioned earlier, new. New Jones Junior College transfer from Blinn. And then Michael Gray Jr. Who is, of course, one of the returners.
Johari, when fans leave a shocker game next January, they're walking out into the cold winter air. What do you want them to be saying about Johari?
[00:16:22] Speaker B: Hopefully one of the most exciting players to watch.
Just a winner and does whatever the team needs to win.
[00:16:35] Speaker A: Bryce, same question. What impression do you want to leave on fans after they get. Get a few chances to watch you play?
[00:16:41] Speaker C: Yeah, I just want to leave that impression. Like, I just, you know, make winning plays every game.
You know, on the offensive side, just go get a Bucky win when we need one, when we need a shot, you know, open three, just hit that, hit that shot. Or, you know, when we need a stop, I could go out there and do that for the team. So I just want to, you know, be able to play both sides of the ball at a high level.
[00:17:03] Speaker A: Bryce, if you weren't playing basketball, what sport. What sport might you be playing?
[00:17:10] Speaker C: Football, for sure.
You know, I like. I like football since I was young, so I have to go with that.
[00:17:17] Speaker A: Tell us your football history. What position did you play and how
[00:17:20] Speaker C: long I've been playing? I was playing football from kindergarten to eighth grade, so I played quarterback for my whole time.
[00:17:27] Speaker A: Really? Okay.
[00:17:28] Speaker C: Yeah.
[00:17:29] Speaker A: Okay. Johari, do you have another sport that you might be. Might be doing if you weren't playing basketball?
[00:17:35] Speaker B: If I wasn't playing basketball, I'd probably be playing football as well. But also, baseball has grown on me the more I watch it now. So probably that. Or boxing. I really like boxing. I've been watching that since I was younger, and I used to always play it, like, on the game. So those are probably my top three sports.
[00:17:55] Speaker A: What position did you play in football?
[00:17:57] Speaker B: Receiver.
[00:17:58] Speaker A: Receiver, yeah. Okay, so we need to get Bryce at quarterback and you at receiver. We'll see who's got the skills. Okay.
Bryce, do you have a movie, a book, TV show that you would recommend people check out?
[00:18:11] Speaker C: Recommend people check out. If we have any younger listeners, I say Back to the Future. That's like, always been.
That series is always like my Favorite. You know, that's just a classic, really. So. Yeah, I go with that.
[00:18:24] Speaker A: Okay, good choice. Johari, how about you?
[00:18:28] Speaker B: Honestly, I've been watching a lot of Power lately, so I'm not sure it's a recommendation, but it's a great show.
[00:18:35] Speaker A: You're enjoying it.
Okay. And how do you. Is power on Stars?
[00:18:40] Speaker B: Stars, yeah.
[00:18:41] Speaker A: Okay. Okay. Cyr Malonga is watching Suits, which I am also watching. Suits. Have you guys watched Suits?
[00:18:48] Speaker B: I heard of it. I haven't started.
[00:18:49] Speaker C: Yeah, I've never watched it.
[00:18:50] Speaker A: Okay. All right, well, that's Sears. That's Sears. Recommendation.
Bryce, we're going to take you back to your high school. You got an auditorium full of sophomores and juniors who are thinking, hey, I want to go play something in college.
What's your advice for them?
[00:19:08] Speaker C: Just prepared to put in the work day in and day out, you know, again, to this level is not easy, you know, just can't really take it for granted. You know, just, you know, you gotta go in there, just put. Put your head down, put the work in. And, you know, hard work pays off at the end of the day. So it doesn't matter if you're highly recruited, if you. You have five stars or no stars. It really doesn't matter at the end of the day if you put in the work. So I just. I'll say that to them.
[00:19:37] Speaker A: Did you know that coming in two or three years ago, or would you have liked to have somebody stand up there and give you that advice?
[00:19:45] Speaker C: I kind of knew that.
You know, when you get in it, you even see, like, you know, the work pays off even more than what you even realize. So I just say keep putting in the work.
[00:19:55] Speaker A: Okay, Johari, we're sending you back to. Back to your high school in Houston. What's your advice to the youngsters?
[00:20:02] Speaker B: I would say my advice would be to just chase your dreams to the fullest potential. Like, if you really want something, if you really want to do something, just enjoy it.
Because it becomes less about how hard you're working. And then it just becomes fun. You just do it just because you love it.
And I would say, really just to chase it to the fullest potential. Because it won't always be here, especially, like now.
Like, you know, it'll come a time where you won't be able to play the sport again.
[00:20:36] Speaker A: Those years can go by quickly.
Johari Long and Bryce Hurd, two of the new Shocker basketball players, thank you very much for your time.
[00:20:44] Speaker C: Thank you.
[00:20:45] Speaker B: Thank you.
[00:21:02] Speaker A: Hi, this is Rick Niuma, president of Wichita State University.
Check out the latest episode of the Forward Together podcast. Each episode I sit down with different guests from Shocker Nation to celebrate the vision and mission of Wichita State University.
Listen wherever you get your podcasts.
Thank you for listening to the Roundhouse podcast courtesy of Wichita State University Strategic Communications. We encourage you to rate, review and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. You can find more roundhouse
[email protected] Peter Willis shot fake looks to drive it gives it the corner to McDuffie 3 by Marcus Good again.
That ball barely moved the net.
