Episode Transcript
[00:00:12] Speaker A: Hello, this is Paul Sullentrop of Wichita State University Strategic Communications. Thank you for listening to the Roundhouse Podcast. We always appreciate your time. Our guest today is former Shocker Xavier Bell. He joins us to discuss life in professional basketball and his time with the Shockers. Xavier is a 6 foot 2 guard. He played at Andover Central High School where He was Kansas Mr. Basketball. He played three seasons at Wichita State. As a senior in 2024-25, he earned American Conference men's Basketball Scholar Athlete of the Year honors. He was an all conference pick after averaging 15.2 points for the Shockers and helping them to the NIT.
Xavier most recently played in Europe's Georgian Super League. And I'm going to lean on Xavier to check me on pronunciations here. I'll give it a try. For basketball club Kav Kazia. Am I close?
[00:01:03] Speaker B: It's close.
[00:01:04] Speaker A: Okay.
He averaged 13.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.8 assists. For Kav Kazia. The Georgian super league is an 11 team league base and his team was based in Tbilisi. Can I get that close? Capital of Georgia. Okay. Okay. Pro basketball. Describe the experience for us.
[00:01:25] Speaker B: You know, I think it's probably pretty much everything anyone would kind of imagine and then some. Definitely takes a lot more, you know, self, self awareness and just self, I guess, you know, will to want to work and continue to get better and just do the right thing.
Especially now that you have a lot more time on your hands when no one's watching or you know, you're not around, you know, a close knit group like a, like a college team or something like that. So definitely just just a little more, you know, self reliant. But at the same time I think it's a little more, you know, freeing to kind of realize that okay, now I really am able to do something that I really love and want to purs.
So just kind of putting my best foot forward each and every day and trying to set myself up in every way possible, whether that is on the court or off the court.
[00:02:12] Speaker A: I'm sure people would be interested in the process of landing on a team. So you finish up your college career, you work with an agency and they place you. Tell us how that all works.
[00:02:23] Speaker B: Definitely. So I actually had to switch agencies from when I recently left Wichita State to my time being out my first year. But yes, it's definitely just about really, really, really finding a trustworthy and reliable person that'll kind of, you know, do the due diligence for you as a player, especially right after college and Getting you workouts and getting your names into the right rooms and, you know, who knows what opportunities could come from that. But definitely in these times, like right now, even, you know, more so after this first season, I'm definitely just kind of relying heavily on my agent and the networks and stuff that he has, as well as, you know, the stuff that I've done on the court. But, you know, I think it's just more so about, you know, just making sure you network as a player.
So that way, you know, if there ever is a time and you're fortunate enough that, you know, you may never have to. You don't have to have an agent or you can kind of exclude the agent and reach out to teams yourself. So. But that definitely, you know, takes time and, you know, persistence and consistency to just continue to work at it and continue to better yourself as a player and as an individual.
[00:03:29] Speaker A: Did you have a checklist of things that were important? I want this kind of country or this level of play. How did you approach it from kind of your wish list? I guess.
[00:03:39] Speaker B: You know, man, honestly, you know, obviously every kid wishes, you know, they can have the story, the story or the ideal story of, you know, having a great college career, you know, you know, some way, shape or form, getting into, you know, some type of NBA, NBA summer league, and finding your way on a team like that, man. But, yeah, it's definitely just about, you know, just sticking with it, man, and just realizing that, you know, you don't know what the future holds. And so really just, you know, leaning in on my, you know, supported circle, my trusted circle, you know, old coaches, old teammates and former, you know, teammates and older teammates who have gone down these similar routes and everything like that. And just knowing that, you know, everybody's journey is different. So, you know, you just gotta trust your own path and your own process and just continue to show up every day. And I think, you know, for me specifically, it was about just knowing and really trusting, and even now, to this day, trusting that it'll all work out exactly how it's supposed to.
Excuse me if I just continue to show up and just keep leading with faith and with the right intentions and doing everything that I need to do every single day. I think time is on my side, and it will.
Everything that I've done will come to fruition.
[00:04:58] Speaker A: Let's give people a little geography lesson. Georgia is a former Soviet Republic, population almost 4 million. It's on the coast of the Black Sea.
[00:05:07] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:05:08] Speaker A: And your team, as we said, located in Tbilisi, which is the largest city in the country is described as where Europe meets Asia. Tell us about life in Tbilisi.
[00:05:17] Speaker B: Oh man, I think it's probably the general European experience. I think I got a little bit of different feel especially being out there from September till about April or so. So really having to dive into that culture and just, you know, understand that, you know, it's not necessarily a two week vacation getaway or something like that. This is everyday.
So, you know, really understanding how, you know, they go to the grocery store, you know, how groceries are bought, or, you know, just the way of living, you're for real. And then, you know, essentially diving, you know, into that culture from, from a hands on perspective through my teammates and my coaches and, and really just, you know, you know, embracing everything that, you know, they were showing me that they were telling me, you know, from their language to the different foods and everything that they have.
They had some really, really good food. So that was, that was a plus.
The cost of living wasn know as it is here, definitely a lot cheaper. So that was easy to save money but at the same time it made, made everything else a little more easier. Ordering food, going to, you know, sightsee, getting around to different, you know, different, different little monuments or stuff they had in the city and everything like that. But, but my time out there, it was great, man. It was nothing short of a blessing.
Definitely an experience and a perspective shifter. Just as far as understanding that, you know, there's so much more to the world and there's so much more to do and so much more to see and so many more people to meet and connect with. So just really just understanding, you know, where you are, being appreciative where you are and just trying to, you know, make the most of it.
[00:06:54] Speaker A: It looks beautiful. Based on the five minute YouTube video that I watched about, about Georgia. Did you get homesick?
[00:07:00] Speaker B: I did, man, definitely, you know, especially being out there for so long and with it being my first year. But you know, I really do credit, you know, I don't want to say myself, but essentially just my trusted circle for allowing me to pursue a smaller division. One college in Philadelphia, which is Drexel University.
Right out of high school, I was 18 years old. First time I really, really been away from home and lived on my own. Yes, there are ways where I could have gotten back home at any point, but it was just the principle behind it and really moving away and just kind of embracing that. And then essentially fast forward into this time now it was more so kind of a reminder that, you know, I'VE done it before and that, you know, I get to play basketball at the end of the day. So really diving into that and just, you know, knowing that, you know, the only way out of it is through it. So just doing what I need to do each and every day, and like I said earlier, just, you know, being appreciative of it, and, you know, sooner or later, you know, I'll get back home whenever that is. But, you know, just trying to. Just trying to make the most of where I am.
[00:08:08] Speaker A: So the year at Drexel prepares you for being away from home?
[00:08:11] Speaker B: Definitely. Definitely. Just as far as getting over that homesickness and. Or when that homesickness feeling does come, knowing that it'll pass, too, and that, you know, I'll be able to get home in some way, shape, or form eventually.
[00:08:25] Speaker A: Tell us about the food. What was the adjustment like in that area?
[00:08:29] Speaker B: It was different at first, obviously, just because I didn't know so much. But, you know, once I got around, you know, a couple of different, you know, little restaurants that they had, and my teammates pointed me in some directions, and then, you know, we. We were going out as a team. And a cool thing about, you know, there is, you know, we'll have road games and, you know, road games in college. You know, you stay in hotels and everything like that, and then you'll have a hotel dinner and everything like that.
And, man, overseas, where I was, the. The dinners that. That we had and food that we had, it was all, like, real. Real food and cooked and served hot, and that was great. And the food was really good. You know, they had these oversized little dumplings that they're called, like, King Kalis or then they had, like, this. It's crazy, man. Like, stuff that I was eating out there. Like, I probably wouldn't even think twice to really eat it out over here. Like, it's like a. It's bread. It's basically just like a bread, but it's cutting, like a pizza slice, and it has cheese in the middle of it. It's called, I think, like, hacha puy or something like that, these different names or something like that. But, you know, just little stuff like that is very rich in their culture. And so, you know, once I was really introduced to stuff like that and started to really taste it, and then my teammates came, oh, try it with this or do something with that. That was, you know, it really was some of the best food that I've had. And even to this day, I wouldn't mind, you know, having a. Having A meal or two from Georgia. So. But, you know, I think on a daily basis when I wasn't doing all that, I was able to find, you know, a little more foods that are kind of, you know, closer to home. So like a chicken Alfredo or like some chicken tenders or, you know, some type of.
Some type of chicken sandwich, something like that that I was able to eat, or eggs in the morning for breakfast. So, you know, it was. It was really just about adapting to where I was and really just trying to make the most of it.
[00:10:27] Speaker A: Who was the veteran who helped you get adjusted to all that?
[00:10:32] Speaker B: You know, my roommate.
Obviously, he wasn't, you know, from there, but he. This is his third year pro. I think now.
He. Me and him talked a lot. He shared a lot of different, you know, stories and just kind of opened my eyes to. To really see and understand that, you know, this is life now, and we really have to, you know, lean into it rather than away.
And I would say, you know, him and, you know, maybe two or three, you know, local teammates of mine that really, you know, we just. We just kind of, you know, clicked with each other like brothers, man. It was crazy. You know, obviously battling on the court and, you know, you know, getting a feel for them that way, but then just realizing, understanding that, you know, we're all people. So just talking with them in the locker room after practice, you know, sharing, you know, little memes or messages and stuff like that on social media, you know, after practice and everything like that, you know, that. That all kind of, you know, played into everything. You know, I would say, and really kind of, you know, shaped. Help me have a season that I did so far off the court.
[00:11:36] Speaker A: I would say, how does the practice routine, the workout routine and games, how does that compare to college basketball?
[00:11:43] Speaker B: Definitely from where I just was, Wichita State and the Collegiate, I would say gridiron is definitely.
Definitely a little different than the overseas kind of overseas routines and everything. Especially here. You know, we'll wake up early, you know, we might have a lift or something, some sort. And then, you know, right after that lift, we're walking out to the court. And it was the same dynamic over there. We would have a lift at a certain time right after the lift, go upstairs, get taped and practice. But, you know, just the intensity, I would say, from, you know, how hard we practice here to the. To the number of games to maybe who we're playing against, and even those atmospheres and even, you know, the fans playing into it and causing that type of, you know, dynamic to A game. It was totally different over there, you know, because I think over here my last year we may have played somewhere in the range of 30 to 35 games or so.
That obviously including postseason, everything like that.
I'm not sure what it is from non conference to the end of conference before post season, but I do know where I just was. It was only a total of 20 games.
And so we had a little bit of quite an amount of time of like break time, I would say. But we did do like some off the record like tournaments with obviously the other local teams and everything like that. And so, you know, we, we worked a lot and we definitely ran a lot. We didn't run as much as we would have ran in Wichita State, but we did get close. I would say probably closer than any other team in that league, but just where I was comparing that level to like a Wichita State and what genuinely what they just did this last season as well, without me, you know, it's a little different in a sense of a good thing, you know, towards Wichita State rather than. And you know, it's not necessarily dropping to that level of play, but just realizing that there are levels to it and that, you know, collegiate basketball does set you up and prepare you for, you know, a lot more things than you realize when you get out there.
[00:14:03] Speaker A: I would say what was the highlight of your season?
[00:14:08] Speaker B: You know, making an All Star. Making the all star team. My first year out there, it was, you know, they kind of, they had released, they made, they let like the. The fans decide or whatever like that. And so, you know, a lot of, a lot of locals who were familiar with, maybe some Americans who have been there before obviously voted for them as well. But then, you know, my, like our. A couple of head coaches in the league got choices to pick and everything like that. And.
Excuse me, the day before, the day before we found out or had a game, like my head coach had texted me personally, you know, just letting him know, letting me know that he, he vouched for me and put me in there and picked me to be an All Star. So that definitely felt really good to hear and to see and especially in that time, it was maybe around January ish, where I think, I want to say my dad actually just left.
Yeah, they had been my dad and them were actually able to come out there for about a week or so in January.
And literally right after they left, I think that next week I found out I made up, made the all star team. So you know, it was really cool just to kind of Experience that and to see all that kind of goes into that from a European side of things and how they kind of celebrate those guys and how, you know, that whole deal is ran. So, you know, who knows what my future holds? But if, you know, there ever is a situation or instance where I'm able and fortunate enough to make All Star, you know, an All Star selection again, I.
I have a little bit more of an understanding of what could kind of go down. So that was definitely, probably the highlight of our moment is making an All Star selection.
[00:15:54] Speaker A: That's a significant accomplishment.
[00:15:56] Speaker B: Thank you.
[00:15:56] Speaker A: So your dad was able to come over and visit. That had to be a really nice opportunity.
[00:16:00] Speaker B: It was. It was. So my dad and my stepmom got out there in January.
I actually, I have a girlfriend who got out there before them in November. It was good to see her. And then my sister, my oldest sister came out probably before. I had just under a month before I got back right at the end of March. And she got out there only for about four days. But it was so good just to see all of them and just, you know, be reminded of home and just know that, you know, along however long this journey has been, how many times I did get home sick or, you know, I wake up like, man, you know, who knows when, you know, I'll be able to really get home. And with the post season as well, it was so hard to tell, you know, when I'll be able to get back. So not really having a clear date of, you know, when I'll be able to get back until the week of me coming back, you know, it was definitely just a kind of a sense of, like, motivation to kind of just keep going and that. Like I just said, you know, I'm getting closer to the end just to. Just to finish strong, for sure.
[00:17:03] Speaker A: Sounds like the whole family and yourself approached it with a open mind. I'm going to enjoy it. I'm going to experience it. And it went pretty well.
[00:17:10] Speaker B: Absolutely.
[00:17:11] Speaker A: That's great. Great to hear. I've heard a lot of stories over the years about the crowds, chanting, singing. I think I've heard a couple story about fireworks going off. You have a crazy crowd story from the league.
[00:17:23] Speaker B: So actually, man, we didn't really run into too many crazy crowds, but it was funny. Like, one of the one times we did run into a heavy crowd or a game with a heavy crowd presence.
It was a game my dad actually was out there and got to see before he left. It was an away game in like, like, so the way they kind of do stuff out there is like, yes, Tbilisi is a main city. You know, you got other main cities kind of in Georgia, but, like, the smaller.
The smaller cities, they call those, like, villages. So we played. We played. We were in this one little, like, tournament, it's called a Georgian cup, where, like, every team starts out and plays a team in the league under us, and then we'll play somebody else, obviously in our same league and kind of advance through the. Through the tournament like that. But anyway, first game was way, and the team under us, it was called Caspi. And my dad and them were able to come. And the gym was maybe a high school gym as far as bleachers, only on one side and super, super packed in.
And sure enough, man, like, those.
That town filled up that gym for as small as it was, and somebody in there was banging on drums. And the game is actually a close game and it's loud in there. And I look up a couple times and I barely am able to. I see my dad kind of in the mix, but, you know, he's all in it, embracing it and standing and screaming. And it. It was really cool just to. Just to see him and. And for them to experience that. And it was funny just because that was like, the very first, like, fan presence that I had. And they were there too, because after they left and actually were able to come back to the stage states, like, that's all he could talk about maybe for like two months. Was like, man, do you remember that loud drum they kept banging on? And it was funny, though, but. But that was probably the biggest crowd presence I would say I had. Other than that, you know, our games, we actually played in a really. We played in the. In the same gym that the Georgian national team plays in. So. So it was actually a really big arena.
So it was like, I wouldn't say harder, just not very many people showed up for our team as to oppose. Like, when I was out there, there were two FIBA breaks and the national team played out there twice.
And first time I was actually able to go out there. Second time I was planning on it, slipped my mind, wasn't able to make it. But just the first time being over there, I was actually able to really see where we play. That whole arena, you know, filled up for the national team, which was. And it was a really nice, you know, sight to see and, you know, everybody was out. It was a really good atmosphere, for sure.
[00:20:12] Speaker A: So who was the best player you played against out there?
[00:20:19] Speaker B: I would say this. This one, four, man. Who his team actually ended up winning the league. And I don't know if you can see. If you can see it on that map, but they're from a spot over there called Batumi near the. It's near one of the coasts.
But his name was. His name was like Myron, Myron Thomas, older than me, I want to say. Maybe this is his between second and fourth year overseas or so, but they had a really good team, really good locals, and he was just a slimmer four who could, you know, put it on the floor, step out a little bit and shoot it a little bit, too. So that, that probably gave us our biggest headaches of the season.
And I would probably just give it to him. Honestly, I think he. I actually think he ended up winning maybe the MVP of the finals just this past season.
[00:21:11] Speaker A: So thank you for pointing out. I do have a map here. Batumi. Yes, you're right. It's right on the Black Sea coast. I did a little bit of preparation.
Georgia's located in an interesting spot in the world. Borders Russia on one side, Turkey, Armenia, not far from Ukraine.
[00:21:42] Speaker B: Hi, this is Rick myiuma, president of Wichita State University.
[00:21:45] Speaker A: Check out the latest episode of the Forward Together podcast.
[00:21:49] Speaker B: 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,
[00:22:12] Speaker A: Plans for next season, how do those unfold over the, over the summer?
[00:22:15] Speaker B: Yeah, it kind of just goes back to, you know, the.
I think the topic we talked about a little bit ago, just as far as the agencies and that time right now I've actually, the switch the agent that I'm with now, we have had a number of great conversations and have been talking with a number of teams right now. So it's definitely kind of in that time frame where it's heavy as far as teams reaching out and we're reaching out to teams as well.
And so I should probably have a destination or so and sign somewhere maybe within, you know, I would say going long, I would say the next month or so and hopefully, you know, sooner than that. But. But I do know we talked, I want to say Saturday, me and my agent and we'll probably talk again sometime this week.
The NBA draft was just yesterday, so, you know, we're watching that and obviously keeping a close ear to teams in the States as well, but just realizing, you know, the situation that we're in and understanding that, you know, it may end up being overseas again this year and just, you know, just preparing and really waiting and just trying to find the right opportunity.
We're still sorting through everything right now.
[00:23:27] Speaker A: How much are you able to direct or control as far as, hey, I'd like to play in Spain or I'd like to go to Central America. Is any of that under your control, or is it.
[00:23:38] Speaker B: Yeah, yeah, yeah. So it is.
And definitely, I think for the players. For players, it's more so like, yes, it's what do you want to do and where do you want to play, and where do you see yourself fit? And then I would say just about finding the right agent to start off with in that market or in those markets, and that'll kind of get you off the ground and get you in the right positions right now. And in my case, since I did have to start over in Europe and we'll likely be doing year two over there, it's more so just about finding the right situation and making sure we're in the right or we're taking the right steps and making sure, you know, hey, we just played here, but, you know, we're gonna play here. And it's not a step down. Instead, it's a step. It could even be a lateral step, but. Or it could be, you know, step forward, but just want to make sure, you know, we're stepping in the right direction.
So it's just about really sorting through those. But. But, yes, I do have a say and in where, you know, I want to. I want to play and more. So it's just about kind of, you know, being realistic with myself, but at the same time being as honest as I can be and realizing, like, hey, this guy, mainly his clientele is all over kind of in Europe, and if that isn't the states, that might be the best, you know, case for me right now. So let's focus on that. Or, you know, hey, this guy may have, you know, a little more pull in the States. Okay, cool. This is where we're actually trying to go. Like, let's. Let's stick with this guy and run with that. So it's more so, like I just said, just about really the player and really where, you know, where it is that you want to play and. And then finding that right person that'll help you get to where you're trying to go.
[00:25:20] Speaker A: So different agents or agencies would have different geographic specialties or areas that they're in. That makes sense. Most leagues. Tell me if this is correct. May have a limit on American United States players. Is that right? Maybe three or four on a roster.
[00:25:34] Speaker B: Is that how it works? Yes. So I Actually, I am not too sure, obviously on every single league, but. But I can say that where I just came from, I don't know if the limit was four on our team, but we only did. We only kept four Americans on our team and we were only able to play three at a time on the court.
But like even talking to my roommate, it's very different, you know, compared to country to country or wherever you go. So I'm only just going to speak for, for what I just came from and say, yes, we only had four Americans on our team all year and were only able to play three at a time during the game. But we didn't have any minute restriction or anything like that. It was just, you can only play three at a time and stuff like that.
[00:26:30] Speaker A: Let's look back at your time as a shocker, three seasons as a shocker, where do you feel like you improved the most? What did you get out of the experience?
[00:26:37] Speaker B: Honestly, man, just continuing just to find myself and just grow into that and just grow into the confidence that carries me in everything that I do. I think it was more so just about just getting back to my roots and realizing that this is home and just believing in myself and believing in every single thing that got me to the collegiate level as far as basketball, and then leaning back on that to see, you know, and to really, you know, appreciate, you know, that where it's brought me, you know, to even from Drexel to Wichita State and then all that I was able to do at Wichita State and then even now to being able to still play after Wichita State. I think it's just been, you know, it really has just been a testament to my faith and really just, you know, my work ethic just to. To continue to show up, you know, each and every day. And I think, you know, God will take care of the rest for sure.
[00:27:40] Speaker A: Favorite moments as a shocker, I really
[00:27:43] Speaker B: would say, man, just honestly, you know, yes, it was crazy, you know, in my three years, in a sense of like the different locker rooms that I had each each year, from players to players and even coaches to coaches. But honestly, man, I loved every single player that came through there. You know, whether we talked a lot, we talked a little, there was never, not a time when I was in that locker room that we didn't fail to make every single person on that team at least feel like a brother. And whether we hung out after practice or, like I said, talked after practice a lot, the times and the laughs and the memories shared after practice, during practices, man, that Tops everything. And then essentially game wise, it was crazy just to be from Wichita and be able to make it to the NIT my last year, that is something that I cherish. But at the same time, I really, really, really enjoyed.
Enjoyed playing K State and beating them here my senior year. And that was the last time I was gonna ever play K State. I knew that.
And to just kind of go out like that and get the win like that, that meant something to me for sure.
[00:29:03] Speaker A: Okay. That was a game I thought maybe you had mentioned would have also beaten Memphis, would have beaten Minnesota, kind of a dramatic win down in Florida. That was Harlan Beverly, right? It was a shot that bounced about 77 times and then went in.
[00:29:17] Speaker B: Yeah, it was.
[00:29:18] Speaker A: That was quite the moment. Okay. Yeah. When I thought about the Kansas State game, okay, the Shockers are up nine and you got the ball. I guess it was after a Turnover maybe, and 2 minutes, 40 seconds to go. I thought, well, he's going to just pull it out and run clock. And that was not your intention.
So you drove to the basket, scored, got fouled, three point play, and that pretty much ended the game. Is that a moment that you would think back on?
[00:29:46] Speaker B: Absolutely, absolutely. Absolutely. I think that just kind of just like just reiterates us, you know, solidifying that moment and understanding that, you know, this, this really is kind of my last go round at K State, but essentially just in the. In Koch arena. So, you know, that game, it was super, super special to me with it being, you know, the last game going into our Christmas break for us at the time.
But essentially, man, just even the other games that you just mentioned, you know, that my last year here was super, super special.
And we had a number of games that not only myself contributed to, but just us as a team. It was special. And with that group of guys, it really meant something to me. And I hold that, I hold a special place for that in my heart, for sure.
[00:30:32] Speaker A: What signs of success did you see as a senior that then carried over into last season when the Shockers kind of continued to progress along the way?
[00:30:41] Speaker B: Honestly, man, just, just the, you know, going through the ebbs and flows of the season. You know, I think last year for them it was mainly, you know, they were doing really good in the non conference early. Then they, you know, they had that Bahamas trip and all that had happened. But then even from that, man, they were still able to, you know, turn their whole season around, write their own narrative. You know, I couldn't remember how many times, you know, I hop on Twitter and I unintentionally. Oh, I'll just see some, you know, irrelevant comment or something like that. And, you know, we swipe past and don't mind it, but then you look up and, man, they're competing now to, you know, they got. They're one game away from the NCAA Tournament, you know, then, okay, that didn't happen. But still, they're one game away from, now, the NIT Final Four, you know, so, like, I think that team last year, and this isn't a knock at us, but I think that team last year definitely wanted to continue to play and wanted to. Wanted to show something, wanted to prove something, wanted to, you know, just continue to move this program in the right direction, which it has been under the. Under the leadership of Paul Mills. But I think last year's team and that group of guys definitely maybe wanted it a little more than my last year. But, you know, it honestly is just still, you know, I think my year to last year and even to this year, it's just a testament to the head in charge, which I just mentioned, is Paul Mills. But I think, you know, he just wants it not for himself, but, you know, for Wichita, for his players, for the fans. And I think, you know, if that does happen, and when that does happen, I think it'll be, you know, so special, not only to him, but to just everyone, you know, who has been a part of it and who's been around it and who's gotten, you know, to help along the way. I think it'll mean so much to so many, for sure.
[00:32:38] Speaker A: So one of the shockers who played a big role of last season's success was T.J. williams. You would have been a senior when he was a freshman, and you would have practiced with him. He was injured, so he did not play, but you would have seen him in practices.
[00:32:51] Speaker B: Describe T.J.
he's, you know, he's like my little brother, man.
We still text and talk to this day. You know, we.
Excuse me. We were texting, you know, a lot and sending a bunch of messages during my time overseas. But, you know, me and him, he's. Obviously, I'm so many years older than him, but, you know, we've always just been kind of in the same gyms. So, like, you know, I'll be on a AAU team and he'll be on the younger version of that team or then, you know, so it's not.
He knew, you know, what he was doing, and he knows himself, and I think. I think he has a really, really good support system. In his parents and in his close circle around him to kind of steer him in the right direction and to continue to just put the best in him so he's able to put the best out into the world. And I think just seeing that and like you just said, getting a chance to really mess with them a lot in practice and even go at him a lot in practice when he was able to go, yes, you know, he didn't play, but practices is a time of trial and error. And so just, just seeing that and realizing that, man, this kid is, you know, he didn't play. This was just his first year last year. And you know, he still has so many years and he's still so young and he's, he's already, you know, what he is now the sky is the limit for him. And it just makes me, it just makes me so proud just to, just to see, you know, that he is continuing on his journey and that he, you know, believes in himself and that, you know, he's coming into the player that he needs to be on his time. And you know, to me just being from Wichita especially as well, I think, you know, that that's something that, that just makes me proud as a player, but essentially as a Wichita native just to see, you know, yes, you know, not only myself, but it, but it's possible for so many others that just, you know, put themselves out there and just continue to try and continue to work hard and, you know, who knows, you know, what's in store for them. So for tj, he had a really, really good last season. I think it'll only continue to go up, you know, no matter what comes, what hardships, you know, stand in his way. I think, you know, he's the type of player and person that really will figure out, you know, all that he needs to, to get wherever he's trying to go.
[00:35:09] Speaker A: Tj, as you mentioned, also a local kid, went to Heights High School and had a really good redshirt freshman year. Another shocker in the News, Craig Porter Jr. The Cavaliers will bring him back for a four season, so he would have been a senior. When you arrived at Wichita State, what got Craig Porter Jr. Into the NBA?
[00:35:29] Speaker B: You know, Craig obviously was just a unique player, man, especially you know, being, you know, all that he was from the, from the point guard spot and leading maybe the nation in blocks and the conference in blocks and the teaming blocks and you know, just being just such, such an effective player, you know, off the dribble in one on one situations and late clock situations and at the same time, you know, essentially naturally just finding the right player, you know, with the. With the right pass or, you know, just making the right reads and everything. I think, you know, Craig definitely, you know, had it all from an ideal player or a guard standpoint, and it's more. So it was just about, you know, just, you know, fine tuning and molding it, which, you know, he. He did in his time here at Wichita State with, you know, the number of games and the legacy he left and. Which translated obviously all the way to the NBA and. And which led him now to being able to be brought on for his fourth year and, you know, who knows what. What will come from that? But Craig has just, you know, gotten better each and every year, and it was just, you know, it was not. It was just a blessing for me to be able to, you know, come back when I did and I didn't play as much. Yes. But, you know, I still practice as much and, you know, still. Still around that and able to really see and. And kind of get a feel and an idea for, okay, you know, guys like that or guys. Or, you know, guys like this or, you know, a player like Craig.
It's nothing short of possible for me if I continue just to, you know, lean into. To my own craft and just follow, you know, the blueprint of. And I've said it, you know, a number of times already today, but just showing up every single day and putting my best foot forward and then, you know, essentially letting everything else fall into place. For sure.
[00:37:15] Speaker A: Showing up is. That's good advice. Okay. You've been around Koch arena this summer. You worked basketball camps, you played some pickup games. I'm sure the fans would love to hear some of your impressions of some of the newcomers. What do you think?
[00:37:26] Speaker B: Definitely, definitely. They're all really, really cool, man. They're all very personable, you know, basketball players at the end of the day, but, you know, just. Just college kids, man, and just trying to, you know, make a name for themselves, you know, got all the energy in the world.
Love, love, love, love hanging around kids. They do. And. And I just think, you know, you know, like I said earlier, under the direction that they have now with Paul. Paul Mills as the coach. I think, you know, he. He won't. He won't disappoint in getting that team, you know, where they need to be in order to play and act like a team on that court in a number of different situations.
So just, you know, being able to. To experience them and. And them allowing me to come in and play with them. It. It kept me young for sure, but, you know, it just, it just reminded me and just, you know, just of that. That close knit of a. Of a brotherhood and of a family that, you know, that they'll have and that I hope that they can get to as far as this season to come and everything forward for sure.
[00:38:32] Speaker A: The one that I've seen the most when I've popped in and out of practices or pickup. That's kind of been fun to watch. Johari long, about a 6 foot 4 guard, describe his game.
[00:38:42] Speaker B: Yeah, yeah, yeah. He what I'm told. I think he's one of the older players, but, you know, he's been around a number of different colleges and essentially with that, just a number of different rooms of good basketball, I should say so him, you know, being the player that he is and with the experience that he has, I think, you know, it's more so just, you know, I think it should be a reminder or maybe a testament to fans that, you know, a player like him, you know, even though he's been around so much basketball, he's still continuing to show up every single day on his own when fans aren't in here. And I think, you know, that just should be a reminder to fans that, you know, these players really are working and that, you know, they want to, you know, put. Put the best out there, you know, for, for the city of Wichita. And I think, you know, the city of Wichita would love that and would in return, you know, show their appreciation by, you know, coming to games and showing their support, which they always have done, you know, for shocker basketball for sure.
[00:39:46] Speaker A: Johari is a transfer from George Mason, also played at Maryland. I would describe him as. He plays the game at the pace he wants to play the game at kind of an old man's game. He gets where he wants to go and seems to have a real good court sense.
[00:39:59] Speaker B: Definitely.
[00:40:00] Speaker A: Okay. Xavier Bell, thank you very much for your time. We appreciate it.
[00:40:03] Speaker B: Likewise. Thanks for having me.
[00:40:05] Speaker A: Me.
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 content at goshockers. Com.
[00:40:34] Speaker B: Hawkins got to go to work on
[00:40:36] Speaker A: Washington and it was dug out of there by Dijon Cortez. Lob to Beverly seven point lead at the under eight timeout here at Charles Coparina.
