Speaker 1 00:00:12 Hello, welcome to the roundhouse podcast. This is Paul TRO of Wichita state university, strategic communications. We appreciate you listening today is the fourth and final in our summer series. Introducing fans to soccer, basketball newcomers. We will hear from James Rojas and we will hear from Trevor McBride, we encourage you to listen to the other three in the series
[email protected] or wherever you get. The roundhouse podcast let's get started with James Rojas. James Rojas is with us. James is a six foot eight senior forward. He's from Jamestown, New York, and he has a transfer from Alabama. So James let's start, uh, tell us why you chose Wichita state to continue your college career.
Speaker 2 00:01:06 Uh, I mean the team's always been in a tough team. I've watched him a lot. Um, I mean, I played at Hudge for two years, so I was around the area already and then my family's, uh, in Salina. So it's about an hour from here, so it works out good basketball team and close to a family. So works out both ways.
Speaker 1 00:01:27 So you got some roots here. Very good. Uh, you spent three years at Alabama. What was your favorite S E C road arena to, to visit
Speaker 2 00:01:35 Oh, Kentucky for sure. Either Kentucky or Auburn, honestly. Uh, I mean, Auburn friends are ridiculous. They're always in your ear, but just playing at Kentucky is just a dream. So,
Speaker 1 00:01:48 And you may have answered this. I was gonna ask, uh, favorite students section, which, which group of students really caught your eye or, or got on you a
Speaker 2 00:01:55 Little bit? Definitely Auburn. I mean, their student section is right, uh, in the entrance when you come into the gym. So you hear it as soon as you get there.
Speaker 1 00:02:03 Yeah. Describe the Auburn, Alabama rivalry for maybe somebody who's familiar with it, but hadn't lived it like you did,
Speaker 2 00:02:08 Man. It's ridiculous. I mean, it is like the most personal thing in the world. Everybody in Alabama just is looking forward to that rivalry. And it's the biggest thing up there, football or basketball.
Speaker 1 00:02:23 So you've played in the NCAA tournament. Describe that and describe how you use that experience to, to lead, to motivate, to encourage this group you're with now.
Speaker 2 00:02:32 Uh, I mean, it's a great feeling to be able to go play in the biggest stage of basketball. And I mean, it would be in the world to me to get these guys up there, guys, that haven't got to witness the, the, um, just that feeling and just to get them up there. I mean, I think that would be great.
Speaker 1 00:02:51 You will wear number 33 for the shockers. Is there a story behind that number?
Speaker 2 00:02:57 No, I Hutch my freshman year. Uh, I wanted my original number four, but uh, older guy already had it. So I was stuck with 33 and I just stuck with it since
Speaker 1 00:03:07 You've stuck with it. Since you've mentioned playing at, uh, Hutchinson community college, you played for coach Steve EC, who is well known around the, uh, the Wichita area now at Cape Mount Carmel high school. Describe playing for coach Steve Beck.
Speaker 2 00:03:20 I mean, he, he's a great guy. I mean, he's with you on and off the court. Um, I mean, he's always gonna be there for you regardless. I mean, he, he's really cool once you get to know him and he's, he's a winner I could tell you that he wins and he's, he wants the best for you regardless.
Speaker 1 00:03:38 And now you've had about a month plus here at Wichita state. Describe playing fry brown. What's his style like?
Speaker 2 00:03:44 Uh, I mean, he's an aggressive coach and I love that. Uh, he emphasizes defense, which is like the biggest part of basketball to me. And, uh, I just love his, his effort to force people to play defense. And I think it is gonna put us a long way,
Speaker 1 00:04:02 The importance of playing defense. It seems like that is something you gain with experience. Is that something that the more you're in college basketball you realize how important that part of the game is?
Speaker 2 00:04:11 Oh yeah, for sure. I mean, when you first get into college, you just want to go out there and score and you think you're gonna get to the next level, this and that, but to actually win games in college basketball, you gotta play defense and to play team defense is what we have to do.
Speaker 1 00:04:26 Give us a teammate here at Wichita state. That's made a good impression on you so far through the workouts, the pickup games, the lifting,
Speaker 2 00:04:34 Uh, definitely Craig Porter. I mean, he's, he's a veteran here. He's been here for a little bit. Um, and just showing everybody the ropes around here, just showing how everything works. And I mean, he he's a competitor. He just always talks us through everything and he fights to win.
Speaker 1 00:04:50 If you weren't playing basketball, is there another sport you'd be playing,
Speaker 2 00:04:54 Uh, football for sure. I played football my whole life until sophomore year of high school. And then I gave it up just to focus on basketball.
Speaker 1 00:05:01 What position did
Speaker 2 00:05:02 You play? Wide receiver. Wide receiver. Yes, sir.
Speaker 1 00:05:05 I'm gonna make you an NBA coach, who is the one NBA player. Who's the first NBA player you picked to start your team.
Speaker 2 00:05:12 Stephen Curry. He's a winner <laugh>
Speaker 1 00:05:15 And he had a great season. No doubt about that. Uh, you would be good at this next question. You've seen a lot in your time in college, uh, college athletics. What advice would you give a, an incoming freshman?
Speaker 2 00:05:26 Uh, just work, um, and come in and work as hard as you can. I mean, you gotta be able to show up on time as well. Um, I mean, don't do too little, just work in the coach will realize your work ethic and just make sure you're always in the gym and get everything done.
Speaker 1 00:05:45 Who is the best basketball player you've been on the court with opponent, teammate, summer college, anything?
Speaker 2 00:05:52 Mm, the most dominant, probably Isaiah Stewart playing in the, in the pistons right now. Uh, I played with him a lot growing up. He's about two hours for me. So we, we played a lot.
Speaker 1 00:06:06 Excellent. James Rojas. Thanks for your time. We appreciate
Speaker 2 00:06:08 It, sir. Appreciate you.
Speaker 3 00:06:21 Hi, this is Rick Neuma president of Wichita state university. Check out the latest episode of the forward together podcast. Each episode, I sit down with different guests from shock nation to celebrate the vision and mission of Wichita state university. Listen, wherever you get your podcast,
Speaker 1 00:06:50 Trevor McBride is a six foot freshman guard. He is from baser, Kansas. He went to baser Lynnwood high school, Trevor. You've been here a little over a month, played some pickup games. You had a full practice today. You've been working out with your new teammates, uh, give the shocker fans a name or two. Who's made a good impression on you so far.
Speaker 4 00:07:09 I mean, I've been with the guards, mostly, uh, Craig and Xavier. You know, those are two, I played against Xavier in high school, so had a little history with him, but, uh, those are two, I've been around a lot workouts and, uh, really good guys really welcome me in even as a preferred walk on. So it was good to be with them all the time.
Speaker 1 00:07:29 Craig Porter is a name that has come up a lot when I've been talking to the new shockers and obviously he's been here point guard. So he is got all that leadership kind of things going for us. Tell us a little bit about what's he doing? How is he helping your adjustment to college life?
Speaker 4 00:07:42 You know, he, uh, he's been really friendly, really like upbeat with everybody. So it's been, uh, it's been nice to have that around in the locker room. He comes in with a smile and, uh, he gets everybody going and he knows, knows the campus knows the town. So he's giving people, rides all that. So he he's just been kind of the leader so far.
Speaker 1 00:08:02 You mentioned you are a preferred walk on it, which to state. I always think that's an interesting decision that, uh, high school seniors go through. Uh, do I try NCAA division one? Do I feel more comfortable at maybe a lower level? Tell, take us through your decision process. How did you end up at Wichita state?
Speaker 4 00:08:19 Yeah, so, uh, my high school team was, uh, we were really good. We had, uh, a lot of really good players and uh, so I really didn't go out and just score. I had a, uh, five assists to per turnover ratio, which was first in the state by like three assists. Um, so I did, it's not something that nowadays pops out on the sta sheet. So I was kind of under recruited, uh, kind of got my stuff out there a little bit, sent it to, uh, Wichita state and Nick Jonas, the player development coach. He, uh, he got back with me and so we started talking, they watched a few of my games and I had Juco, uh, other than it was really between Juco and preferred walk on here. And the connections I would make here, the division one level were just outweighed anything I could have done at the Juco level. So it was more about the connections and then the school, of course, better school here. I'm going into finance, so good finance school. So that was, that kind of weighed into my decision too. And it's always been a dream to play at the division one level, of course, for all college basketball players and I wasn't gonna force it, but it was there. The opportunity was there. And so I took it and, uh, hoping to try and earn myself some time here in the next couple years
Speaker 1 00:09:41 You were the son of a coach. Yeah. Tell us how that's influenced your basketball career.
Speaker 4 00:09:45 Well, it wasn't easy. Uh, that was a coach, uh, based in Lynnwood. This will be his 19th year. So we moved, we moved there when I was nine months old and, uh, he got, he got a, they won four games in three years or five games in three years, something like that. And he came and had a losing season his first year and he's had 17 straight winning seasons after that with, uh, two state championships, two enter ups and a final four with COVID. We got tied down now, even the final four, but, uh, it was hard coming up. I was physically more matured than everybody. So I was ready as a freshman. My dad's only had five, something like that freshman play at the varsity level in his career, cuz he is got a good program going and had some people, not like it, you know, typical coach's kid playing cuz he is coach's kid, blah, blah. We ended up, uh, getting second place that year. And then, I mean, we had another really good kid in my class. He, uh, he was also playing a little bit his freshman year. So we had two really, but you know, I got all the backlash for being the coach's kid, but it made me push myself to prove everybody wrong. And honestly that, that's why I kept pushing every, it was hard at times, but that's why I kept pushing every day.
Speaker 1 00:11:13 Were you the kind of kid who grew up going to practice? Just always being around the game.
Speaker 4 00:11:18 Oh yeah. I was always in the game. I, uh, around the game, I mean always in the gym. Um, ever since I was a toddler, I mean my parents got me a little play goal for my first birthday and uh, used that thing until I was in like elementary school. But uh, I was with my dad all summer long in cuz he had summer camps in the gym for practices during the school year, but had teachers bring me after the school, after school. Um, so yeah, I was always around the game, always around and in the gym.
Speaker 1 00:11:50 And your dad's name is Mike McBride. Sure. Make sure we mention that. So fans would know he's the coach at base Earl Lynnwood high school. You are wearing number 14. I am. Is there a story behind number 14 for you?
Speaker 4 00:12:01 No, there's not. I was, uh, I was number 15. I had a, there was a player on my dad's 2009 state championship team. That was like a big brother for me. He carried me everywhere. They won the state championship game. He came and grabbed me outta the stands. So I wore 50 15 for the longest time. And then my freshman year, of course I was a freshman playing on varsity. So I got last selection and I was number one all my high school years. And so when I got here, uh, I had already gotten 14 and really I was perfectly fine with that number. So I didn't change it, kept it and just so happens 15 minus one 14. So kind of just went like that.
Speaker 1 00:12:48 Makes sense. Describe the role of a, of a point guard.
Speaker 4 00:12:52 Um, you know, I've always been told, uh, I've been great at running the show is what they say. So basically I bring the ball up to court, make sure nobody turns the ball over. Of course I have five D one to turnover ratio. So I, if the ball was in my hands, we, we felt like everybody could just leave and I would get the ball up the court, no matter what. Um, at the high school level with no shot clock in Kansas, um, it was more about drawn two defenders and finding the open player and we were, we were such a good shooter. I mean we had five shooters on the floor at all times, so really I just, Jo drew two defenders, broke my man down and found the open man and we just shot, shot and shot. So that's, that's what it's mean for meant for me to be a point guard. I mean, I know there's some point guards that are scoring point guards, but for me it was more about riding the show.
Speaker 1 00:13:45 If you weren't playing basketball, is there another sport you would be playing,
Speaker 4 00:13:48 Uh, track and field? I was actually, I qualified for four events this year for track and field in the five bay level up here in Wichita. Uh metaled in all four high jump lung jump four by four, four by one. Um, yeah, if, if I, uh, if I didn't do basketball, I felt like I could have been a good 400 runner. I got my splits down at about 49 8, which is pretty, I mean I anchored and we got second in state in the five a level, but uh, I played a little baseball when I was younger. I was really good pitcher. Couldn't hit at all. So, uh, I kind of got bored with it. They asked me to be a PO, but I just said I wanted to play basketball. Played one year of football was pretty good at it, but uh, couldn't stand being out on the field for three hours at a time and not being in the gym. So I quit that too. And just focused on basketball.
Speaker 1 00:14:41 Wichita state has a new strengthened conditioning coach. Ryan Horn. Give us your impressions of him.
Speaker 4 00:14:46 Oh, I love him. He, uh, he, um, first day he noticed I, uh, cause we have a great, uh, conditioning strength conditioning program at my high school. So we get all the form in and all that. He noticed that right away. So he came up to me personally and told me to, uh, be a leader in the weight room. He noticed I wasn't the biggest guy, but my form was better. I knew what I was doing. So be a leader, but uh, he always bring, he brings energy every day, no matter what, uh, he keeps it real. If we're having a bad day, he'll stop us, tell us to pick it up. Um, but yeah, first impression was I, I, I love him. He, uh, he's, he's really upbeat dude. So, and that's what I like. And he's honest. So
Speaker 1 00:15:27 Upbeat dude, that's important for a strength and condition
Speaker 4 00:15:29 Coach.
Speaker 1 00:15:30 They need to get need to get everybody upbeat. I'm gonna make you an NBA coach. You get to pick one player to start your NBA team. Who are you choosing?
Speaker 4 00:15:39 I mean, LeBron's too old. So, uh, I mean, that's my guy, so can't take him anymore. But uh, I probably have to go with Gianni, Gianni or Luca since they're young stars. Uh, I love, I love the way Gianni plays a hundred percent all the time, leaving it all on the floor. So, uh, I probably have to go with Gianni. He, uh, he, he works and he came from nothing. So I like, I like the way he plays and he's a great leader and a great teammate. So that's who I build my team around.
Speaker 1 00:16:11 GNI and Luca, those are both, both solid choices. Uh, you've only been a freshman in college, I guess, about three or four weeks. Yeah, but I will ask you anyway, what advice would you give to someone else? Maybe a, a friend of yours back at base Linwood who is a senior in high school. They're gonna be starting this journey pretty quick. What advice would you give them?
Speaker 4 00:16:29 Uh, my advice would be, don't be afraid to leave. Um, it was, it was harder. I guess it was hard at first. Really not for me. I was ready. I was ready to leave. You know, being a coach's kid, it was rough, not being invited as much cuz your dad's coach. And uh, so I was kind of ready, but this is uh, this is the next chapter in our lives and go, go experience. It don't feel like you have to go back because that's that's the past. Like you can still have friends, but from there, but that's the past. Go, go live your life. Now,
Speaker 1 00:17:03 Who is the best basketball player you've been on the court with? And this could be high school game, summer game. Who, who, who stands out?
Speaker 4 00:17:12 Oh man, the best basketball player I've been on the court with, I've played with some ju so uh, six, five wing. He's gonna be a senior at, uh, basswood this year Tyson road. He, uh, he's probably, he was a small kid in middle school. All of a sudden, just S sprouted up, got these big shoulders, um, gets once he gets a momentum, he's got like a 39 inch for, I mean, it's crazy. He does between the legs dunks, all that shoot the ball. He, uh, he's, he's probably the best all around player I've and he was young last year, only a junior on a senior loaded team and uh, led us in scoring. I mean, he's, he's gonna be really good. So that's probably overall the best player I've been on the court with.
Speaker 1 00:18:05 All right, Trevor McBride. Thank you for
Speaker 4 00:18:06 Your time. Thank you.
Speaker 1 00:18:20 Thank you for listening to the roundhouse podcast, courtesy of Wichita state university's strategic communications. We appreciate your time. We encourage you to rate reviews, subscribe wherever you get your podcast, such as on iTunes or Google play, you can find more roundhouse
[email protected]. Thank you for listening
Speaker 5 00:18:42 And they let him pass it up court than it gets picked off along three by Pango. No good. One second. It's over it. Wichita state has beaten the number one team in the nation to crazy Wichita. I know.
