‘Qua is ready’: Division II transfer looks to impress in WSU basketball exhibition
The transition from playing NCAA Division II basketball to Division I for the Wichita State men’s basketball team was always going to take time for West Texas A&M transfer Qua Grant.
If you listen to reports from his coaches and teammates, the transition for the two-time Division II All-American has been a seamless one in the build-up to Monday’s exhibition opener against Missouri Southern State at 6 p.m. at Koch Arena.
Grant, a 6-foot-1, 195-pound guard, figures to play a key role for the Shockers in their American Athletic Conference championship defense this season.
“I don’t know what his recruiting was like coming out of high school, but I don’t think he ever should have been D2,” WSU star guard Tyson Etienne said of Grant. “What I like about Qua the most is he’s a competitor. I know he can compete at this level. You want to be on the court with someone like that. I’m glad he’s like that because I’m like that too.”
Grant averaged 22.4 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.0 steals last season, while leading West Texas A&M to the Division II national championship game.
He was used to doing the heavy lifting for his team, scoring or playmaking on nearly every possession. In adjusting to a new role with the Shockers, Grant has learned to pick his spots in practice.
“Sometimes at the D2 level, you’re the guy and you can take on double teams,” WSU coach Isaac Brown said. “Now when he gets double teamed, he can kick it to the open guy who can make that shot.
“He’s doing a better job of driving and kicking the ball, creating help situations and either dumping it down to the big guys or getting to the lane and kicking it out to shooters. He does a great job of finishing and drawing fouls and hopefully we start seeing that once the games begin.”
Teammates almost unanimously agree that Grant has the best handles on the team and he almost makes it look effortless with his quickness in breaking down the defense. From there, Grant has shown a silky-smooth, pull-up jumper in practices and also the ability to use his wide frame to get to the rim and finish.
WSU doesn’t boast the same kind of 7-foot, rangy, shot-blockers that some other teams in the AAC do, so Grant might have to learn as he goes this season in finishing at the rim. But the early signs in practices have been promising.
“I had to go through that transition to D1 last year and I know Qua is ready,” WSU forward Monzy Jackson said. “I don’t see how he hasn’t been D1 already. He has the size, strength, speed and quickness. He gets to the rim anytime he wants. We know he’s going to help us a lot this year.”
One of the biggest questions, at least for Brown, was how Grant would be able to defend at a higher level. He earned a reputation as a ball hawk at the Division II level, but leaned heavily on his pure athletic advantage over the competition — an advantage he won’t always have at the Division I level.
Faced with the challenge, Grant has responded by showing WSU coaches a fiery spirit on the defensive end. Grant defends bigger than his listed size and his versatility should allow Brown to play him at either guard position this season. His aggressiveness should also help strengthen WSU’s rebounding efforts.
“At this level, you’re going up against more talented guys and you have to do a great job of keeping guys in front and contesting shots,” Brown said. “Qua has been doing a good job of that.”
On offense, Grant could give WSU the scoring punch it sometimes lacked last season off the bench. Much like Alterique Gilbert last season, Grant prefers to attack going toward the basket, although he is developing as a threat from beyond the arc. Grant also has the ability to create for others, as demonstrated by his team-high five assists in a recent scrimmage against Texas Tech.
Teammates are looking forward to Grant’s debut in Monday’s exhibition, the only tune-up before WSU begins the regular season on Tuesday, November 9 against Jacksonville State at 7 p.m. at Koch Arena.
“He’s very feisty and a really good on-ball defender,” WSU point guard Craig Porter said. “He’s just a good overall player. He can shoot it too. I think me and him are going to be real scary at the point guard position this season.”
WSU basketball vs. Missouri Southern State (exhibition)
When: 6 p.m.
Where: Koch Arena
Television: None
Radio: KEYN, 103.7-FM
This story was originally published October 31, 2021 at 7:07 AM.
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