Toughness taught at Wichita State basketball keeps NBA dream alive for Jaime Echenique
When Jaime Echenique arrived at Wichita State, his toughness was considered a weakness on the basketball court.
Three years into his professional career, the former Shocker big man credits his two years under former WSU coach Gregg Marshall as the reason why his toughness is now a strength in his game.
Echenique, 26, has returned to Las Vegas to play in the NBA Summer League for the Portland Trail Blazers, as he continues to try to earn a spot in the G League and ultimately the NBA.
“I take a lot of pride in Wichita State and my coaches,” Echenique told The Eagle following Sunday’s game. “I play with a lot more toughness and energy now. I can still remember (Marshall) coming into the locker room at halftime and trying to push me to be better. He got the best out of me and I’m still thankful for that.”
Echenique has had a successful three-year professional career since graduating Wichita State in 2020. He averaged 12 points for Acunsa in Liga ACB, the Spain league considered to be the second-best in the world outside of the NBA, as a rookie, then latched on in the G League in 2021.
After a successful stint with the Capital City Go-Go, Echenique was signed to a 10-day contract with the Washington Wizards and made history by becoming the first Colombian player to play in the NBA on Dec. 30, 2021. He was eventually traded to the Motor City Cruise and was averaging 13.3 points and 7.7 rebounds for Detroit’s G League affiliate before breaking his hand in February.
“The season didn’t end the way exactly the way I wanted, so I had to sit out, get healthy and I got back home (to Colombia) and my agents called me with a new opportunity,” Echenique said. “It was a chance for me to redeem myself and I thought it went pretty well.”
Two months after breaking his hand, Echenique was scooped up by Rytas Vilnius in the Lithuanian Basketball League. He averaged 11.7 points and 3.7 rebounds for Tytas, which rallied to reach the playoff championship series before falling in a decisive fifth game.
Echenique earned a Summer League invitation from the Trail Blazers and although he hasn’t played in the team’s first two games in Las Vegas, he is making the most out of the experience.
“Being around NBA players and guys at this level, I just try to soak in as much information as I can,” Echenique said. “I’m glad to be around some vets and I try to ask questions all the time to learn. I think it’s really important for my personal growth as a player and a person too.”
Echenique said he doesn’t dwell on the what-ifs of his final year at Wichita State, which was ended abruptly by the coronavirus pandemic with the Shockers (23-8) on the brink of an NCAA Tournament berth. Echenique averaged 11.3 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.6 blocks that season, as he blossomed into an all-conference center for WSU.
He caught up with former teammate Erik Stevenson following Sunday’s game with the San Antonio Spurs, as the two reminisced about how much talent was on that 2019-20 roster. Along with Echenique and Stevenson, Tyson Etienne, Dexter Dennis, Grant Sherfield and Asbjorn Midtgaard have made NBA Summer League appearances with Trey Wade, Jamarius Burton, Morris Udeze and Noah Fernandez all looking like or already pro players.
Echenique isn’t sure yet where he will be for the 2023-24 season, but he’s focused on controlling what he can control — and that starts with putting forth a good effort as a teammate and improving his game while in Las Vegas.
“I’m just trying to make the most of every opportunity and that’s all that matters right now,” Echenique said. “I want to play at the highest level, but whatever comes for me, I will take it. If they want me to go to Europe, I’ll go there. If they want me to stay here, I’ll be here. It’s hard to predict where I’ll be next year. I am where my feet are, so right now I’m just focused on the next game.”
.jpg)