Meet the 2015-16 Wichita State men’s basketball players

Height: 6-4

Weight: 210

Class: Senior

Hometown (previous school): Scott City

Key stats: Averaged 14.7 points and 4.5 rebounds last season and led the Shockers with 27 blocks.

His toolbox: Baker is WSU’s most versatile player, starting at shooting guard and capable of running the team at point guard behind Fred VanVleet. His turnover rate of 10.1 percent (his possessions that end with turnovers) ranked best on the team among players in the rotation, according to Ken Pomeroy’s statistics.

Baker’s shooting stroke grabs most of the attention. He is also improving his drives to the basket and likes to show off a Dirk Nowitzki-style stepback jumper out of the post. He is deadly with his feet set off the catch, not needing a dribble to steady himself, and comfortable curling off screens. While he doesn’t often finish above the rim in traffic, he dunks in transition and is strong enough to take contact and score.

He is excellent on the wing in transition because he runs hard and catches everything. His ball-handling makes the Shockers killers in off turnovers or bad shots because he can run the break when Fred VanVleet doesn’t.

Baker is a strong defender with the heft to hold his ground and the smarts to play passing lanes and get in the right position. He hustles his way into numerous chasedown blocks. He played in thePan Am Games in late July, making a strong impression against older athletes with his defense and unselfishness.

Baker is starting his fifth season at Wichita State and commands respect with his work ethic and knowledge of the system. The Shockers will make few mistakes in the backcourt with Baker and VanVleet handling the ball, setting them up for success with an efficient offense that rarely slumps.

His fit: Baker will serve as the focus of a balanced offense as shooting guard and is one of the nation’s top backup point guards. He moves without the ball and his experience with VanVleet creates open shots. And while he posseses plenty of skill, he fits Coach Gregg Marshall’s demands to play hard and fight for loose balls.

More than any Shocker, his rise from Class 3A multi-sport star to recruited walk-on to Wooden Award finalist illustrates how the program was built. His Western Kansas story, and the fact Kansas and Kansas State neglected to recruit him, make him one of the most popular Shockers in program history.

His best moments: Any log of Baker’s top games must start with his 16-point performance against Gonzaga as a freshman in the 2013 NCAA Tournament. He made 4 of 6 three-pointers, two in the final five minutes, and added six rebounds and four assists.

▪  Baker started his junior season red-hot and nobody felt that more than Seton Hall. He made 9 of 11 shots, all three of his threes, to score 22 points. He also had four assists.

▪  The Shockers wrapped up last season’s MVC title with a win over Northern Iowa and Baker scored 17 points, making 3 of 7 threes, and handed out four assists.

▪  Baker grabbed his lone double-double with 18 points and 15 rebounds against Evansville last season.

▪  His sophomore season ended with a Wooden Award-worthy performance against Kentucky, drawing “bad, bad, bad boy” props from Andrew Harrison. Baker made 7 of 12 shots, 4 of 6 threes, to score 20 points, 12 in the second half.

▪  Even when he struggles, people love him. Indiana State coach Greg Lansing went out of his way to praise Baker after a 1-for-11 shooting performance last season at Hulman Center.

“Ron Baker never has a bad game,” Lansing said. “He played the other end. He defended. He deflects balls. He gets steals. He didn’t score much against us the other time and still had a good game.”

His best numbers: In 10 NCAA Tournament games, Baker is 18 of 45 (40 percent) from three-point range and 38 of 45 (84.4 percent) from the foul line … Starts the season with 1,145 career points (29th at WSU) and is on pace to finish in the top 10. His 178 three-pointers rank fifth. He needs 70 to match leader Randy Burns’ 248 from 2001-05 … His 110 steals rank 13th … Made 22 straight free throws in 2013-14 and 33 of 36 during an eight-game stretch … Averaged 21.7 points, shooting 57.8 percent from the field and 43.5 percent from behind the arc in a stretch of road/neutral-court games against Tulsa, DePaul, BYU and Saint Louis as a sophomore.

His Shocker comps: Baker, who missed 21 games as a freshman with a stress fracture in his left foot, is on pace to end his career with numbers that compare to players such as Dave Stallworth, Warren Armstrong, Jason Perez and Toure Murry for their all-around depth. His shooting accuracy, from the field and the foul line, puts him in the neighborhood with past marksmen such as Jamie Thompson, Aubrey Sherrod, Sean Ogirri and Joe Ragland.

In March, he should join the list of three-time All-MVC Shockers — Cleo Littleton (four times from 1952-55), Dave Stallworth (1963-65), Warren Jabali (1966-68), Robert Elmore (1975-77) and Xavier McDaniel (1983-85).

Loves to see: Baker made his return from injury in 2013 against Missouri State in the MVC Tournament. He stunned the Bears with 15 points in his first game in almost three months. The Bears continue to represent a big target for Baker, who is 27 of 46 from the field (58.7 percent) and 18 of 30 (60 percent) from the three-point line in six games. He averages 14 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.8 assists.

Hates to see: Indiana State is the lone MVC school to hold Baker under double figures for his career (9.2 points in five meetings). He is 4 of 23 from three against the Sycamores and cold from the foul line — 14 of 21.

The final word

“The guy is Rambo,” ESPN’s Fran Fraschilla said after the Pan Am Games. “He plays fearlessly. He went toe-to-toe with some physical, grown men who know how to play the game and he really helped Team USA. He, arguably, was the best collegian. Most of them got better as the week went on, but he showed the most growth.”

Height: 6-8

Weight: 230

Class: Senior

Hometown (previous school): Cleveland, Ohio (Cleveland State)

Key stats: Averaged 14.3 points, 7.9 rebounds and 1.4 blocks as a junior at Cleveland State.

His toolbox: Grady is expected to give the Shockers a veteran presence who can score in the lane, with a variety of crafty moves, and make jump shots. He is no longer a high-flyer, after three knee surgeries, so he relies on strength and experience.

While adjusting to WSU’s active defense is a challenge, Grady possesses the smarts and desire to play his role. He made the Horizon League’s All-Defensive team after blocking 47 shots and recording 51 steals last season.

A tendency to foul (14 games with four or more last season) could limit his production, but the Shockers enjoy depth in the lane. He shot 155 foul shots last season and made 100 (64.5 percent). Improvement there would raise his offensive efficiency

His fit: Grady made a good impression when he arrived in Wichita last spring, throwing himself into weights and conditioning and spending extra time in the gym working on his skills. He is fueled by a desire to play in the NCAA Tournament, a goal that eluded him at Cleveland State.

Grady could start at center or power forward, depending on how other players develop around him. Guarding smaller players, especially in the Missouri Valley Conference, who can shoot from the outside may test his agility. It appears WSU’s ideal lineup would feature Grady at power forward and Bush Wamukota or Shaq Morris at center, at least against bigger, more athletic teams.

WSU needed a big man. Grady wanted to win. Sounds a lot like Gabe Blair, a transfer from East Carolina who worked out well for the Shockers. Grady can join Blair and Malcolm Armstead as successful transfers from four-year programs.

His best moments: Grady recorded 11 double-doubles last season at Cleveland State, including 24 points and 10 rebounds at Milwaukee and 17 and 13 (plus four blocks) against Youngstown State.

▪  He scored a season-high 26 points in a CollegeInsider.com Tournament loss to New Jersey Institute of Technology and grabbed 11 rebounds.

▪  As a freshman, Grady played two of his best games against Butler. He scored 11 points and grabbed eight rebounds in 13 minutes in the first meeting and played 37 minutes in the second, finishing with 18 points and 13 rebounds.

His best numbers: Grady is a career 49.5 percent shooter, a number that could increase with skilled scorers around him and Fred VanVleet gifting him easy baskets. It will not be easy for defenses to double-team Grady.

According to Ken Pomeroy’s advanced stats, he led the Horizon League in offensive and defensive rebounding percentage as a sophomore and finished third (offensive) and second (defensive) last season in conference games.

His Shocker comps: Grady may give the Shockers similar production to J.T. Durley, a 6-7 post player who scored with a soft touch and clever footwork. Durley earned All-MVC honors in 2011.

The final word

“He’s very serious about maximizing this year,” WSU coach Gregg Marshall said in June. “He keeps saying, ‘I just want to win, I just want to win.’ He’s very diligent in terms of his focus and listening and trying to get better.”

Height: 6-7

Weight: 225

Class: Sophomore

Hometown (previous school): Fredricksburg (Va.) (Hargrave Military Academy)

Key stats: Averaged 2.9 points and 2.9 rebounds in 35 games with four starts.

His toolbox: Kelly blossomed as the first freshman to make a big contribution because of his rebounding skills. He played double-digit minutes in the first 13 games and started three games in Hawaii and the MVC opener at Drake.

He spent the off-season expanding his offensive game and getting in better shape. Coach Gregg Marshall referred to him as WSU’s most improved player over the summer.

Kelly showed an ability to drive to the basket as a freshman. His footwork in the post and jump-shooting needed to improve. His work in the summer was designed to make him a threat for mid-range shots. He made 4 of 9 threes last season and shot 49.4 percent from the field, promising signs.

He rarely took bad shots and understood that rebounding and defense could earn him minutes.

His fit: Aggressive rebounders are always a good fit on Marshall’s teams. Like most of WSU’s front-court players, Kelly can contribute by rebounding, defending and scoring when his teammates give him open shots. At his peak moments last season, he looked like a prototypical Shocker — feisty, physical and always working.

His best moments: Kelly scored a season-high 12 points against Hawaii, making 5 of 6 shots. His putback in the final seconds of overtime gave the 11th-ranked Shockers an 80-79 win.

▪  He scored nine points at Detroit and had five points and four rebounds against Alabama.

His best numbers: Kelly showed a knack for offensive rebounds and his 45 ranked third on the team.

His Shocker comps: Kelly follows in the path of bouncy, hard-working forwards such as Ramon Clemente, Gabe Blair, O.J. Robinson and Larry Callis. If he expands his shooting range, he could move into another category.

The final word

“He is ball-getter,” Marshall said after Kelly’s game-winning shot at Hawaii. “Rashard Kelly just exploded up and grabbed the ball. He pogoed up and stuck it back in.”

Height: 6-0

Weight: 186

Class: Senior

Hometown (previous school): Rockford, Ill. (Auburn)

Key stats: Averaged 13.6 points, 5.2 assists and 4.5 rebounds last season.

His toolbox: VanVleet is fond of saying he’s not a great athlete, but that sells his skill-set short. His hand-eye coordination, body control, strength and plundering hands are top-level assets. His work in the weight room is improving his quickness, flexibility and leaping. His goal this season is to dunk.

Combine those gifts with an elite brain and sense of pace and you have VanVleet, who emerged late in his freshman year and took his place among the nation’s top point guards as a sophomore. He almost always plays the game at his preferred speed, rarely makes mistakes and guides teammates to the right places.

He is deadly running the pick-and-roll or pick-and-pop. His patience allows him to foil double teams by string them out and moving the ball and his ball-handling helps him split defenders and buy the Shockers a man advantage crashing into the lane. When he gets to the basket, he can call on a variety of finishing moves and he hopes bouncier legs help him score over bigger players. He is a career 38.9-percent three-point shooter and 80.1-percent from the foul line.

While quick guards may give him trouble on defense, not many are quick enough to get around him. He can bully weaker guards and owns a sense for diving into passing lanes and ripping the ball from unaware big men. His strength also serves him well as a rebounder and is particularly greedy on the defensive end

He is a confident leader on and off the court, respected by teammates who will take criticism and praise from him without question. None of the Shockers admitted to a moment of worry when he took over the starting spot as a sophomore. He is mature enough to pull former Shocker Cleanthony Early away from referees in tense moments or tell current teammate Shaq Morris he needs to work harder to earn playing time.

His fit: VanVleet enters his third season running one of the nation’s most efficient offenses. The 2014 Shockers finished eighth nationally in Ken Pomeroy’s offensive efficiency rating; last season they ranked 16th.

VanVleet strikes the perfect balance between careful and bold. He patiently runs WSU’s sets early in the shot clock. If necessary, he can break down defenders in the final seconds of the shot clock for a demoralizing basket near the buzzer. The clock in his head rarely tells him to rush.

He is cut-throat on long rebounds and turnovers with his ability to move the ball quickly and create easy shots on fast breaks.

WSU coaches trust him without reservation to run their team and his career winning percentage of 86.4 suggests they are wise to do so. He committed to WSU before his senior season in high school and stayed loyal even after more prominent schools inquired, an early indication of his maturity. Like many of the Shockers, and their coach, he relishes any slight, real or otherwise, and uses his underdog background to his advantage.

His best moments: VanVleet gave Kansas and Indiana lessons in running a ball-screen offense in last season’s NCAA Tournament. He dented the Hoosiers for 27 points, making 9 of 18 shots and 9 of 10 free throws to go with four assists. He scored 19 of those points in the first half to smooth over a rough spot for the Shockers. His defense on Indiana star Yogi Ferrell changed the tone of the game.

▪  Against Kansas, VanVleet scored 17 points, grabbed six rebounds and handed out six assists, although he did commit five turnovers. No matter, because he directed a superb second half in which WSU outscored KU by 10 points, made 59.3 percent of its shots and held the Jayhawks to 37.9 percent shooting. In those 20 minutes, VanVleet had four assists, one turnover and two steals.

▪  Games at Loyola bring out the best in VanVleet with friends and family from his hometown in the stands. In two games in Chicago, he is 11 of 11 from the field and 13 of 14 from the line with 14 rebounds, 16 assists and three turnovers.

▪  He registered WSU’s first triple-double since 1972 with 10 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists against Missouri State at Koch Arena last season.

▪  VanVleet tormented Tulsa in three meetings, averaging 17 points, 6.7 assist and 3.7 rebounds. He is 17 of 31 from the field, 4 of 10 behind the arc and 13 of 16 from the line.

▪  As a sophomore, VanVleet helped the Shockers end their misery in St. Louis with 22 points, making 4 of 6 threes, five rebounds and five assists in the MVC Tournament title game, an 83-69 win over Indiana State.

▪  VanVleet’s growing potential took flight as a freshman when he scored 17 points and handed out nine assists against Drake.

▪  The spotlight of the 2013 NCAA Tournament didn’t get to him as a rookie. He played 20 minutes in an upset of No. 1 Gonzaga, scoring 13 points and making a long three-pointer in the final two minutes to help secure a 76-70 win. In the Elite Eight matchup, Ohio State tried to fluster him with little success. He scored 12 points in 24 minutes.

His best numbers: VanVleet knows his No. 1 job is to run the offense and set up his teammates. His 465 assists rank first at WSU … His assist-to-turnover ratio of 3.10 last season ranked seventh nationally. As a sophomore, he ranked fourth at 4.02. Those are the top two marks in WSU history and his career mark of 3.02 ranks first … He is the only Shocker to lead the MVC in assists more than once … His 1,060 points rank 37th on WSU’s career list … His 170 career steals ranks third at WSU, 10 behind second-place Toure Murry and 52 behind Jason Perez.

His Shocker comps: VanVleet’s resume towers over any other Shockers point guard. He earned multiple All-American honors in 2014 and 2015 and MVC Player of the Year recognition in 2014, in addition to numerous other awards.

He is the latest in a fine series of point guards in the Marshall era, starting with Clevin Hannah and followed by Joe Ragland and Malcolm Armstead. VanVleet’s versatility also can draw comparisons to players such as Toure Murry, Randy Burns and Jason Perez. Ernie Moore is the point-guard standard from the program’s powerful run in the early 1960s. Tony Martin played a similar role in the 1980s.

In March, VanVleet (and Baker) should join the list of three-time All-MVC Shockers — Cleo Littleton (four times from 1952-55), Dave Stallworth (1963-65), Warren Jabali (1966-68), Robert Elmore (1975-77) and Xavier McDaniel (1983-85).

Loves to see: VanVleet has given WSU an edge against Indiana State, one of its toughest opponents, the past three seasons. He averages 12.6 points in seven meetings, making 31 of 64 shots (48.4 percent) and 12 of 23 threes (52.2 percent). Add in 25 assists, nine turnovers and 15 steals and VanVleet makes a career of scorching the Sycamores.

Hates to see: Illinois State is one of the MVC’s most athletic teams and the Redbirds can bother VanVleet. In eight games, he is 24 of 61 (39.3 percent) from the field and 6 of 19 (31.6 percent) behind the arc. He averages 8.9 points.

The final word

“Let me tell you why I love this kid,” Southern Illinois coach Barry Hinson said in January after a 67-55 loss to WSU. “I shake Fred’s hand tonight. He’s smiling and he’s happy. There are other teams in this conference, including mine, that you’ve got players that are used to being the leading scorer, the best player … they get two points after a win and they’re going through the line with their head down and they’re upset. That’s the difference between that kid and most every other kid in the country.”

Height: 6-4

Weight: 212

Class: Senior

Hometown (previous school): Wichita (Heights)

Key stats: Averaged 4.2 points and 3.7 rebounds last season.

His toolbox: Wessel is Gregg Marshall’s coach-on-the-floor in the way that Wessel plays the way Marshall played at Randolph-Macon (Va.) College. Both are (or were) tough defenders who value loose balls and are unafraid of bumps and bruises.

Wessel is the Shocker who doesn’t need the ball to be helpful. He screens, he turns 50-50 balls into 90-10 balls for the Shockers, he defends, boxes out and rarely makes mistakes. He understands his role and limitations, rarely throwing risky passes, dribbling with no plan or shooting bad shots.

When he shoots accurately from long-range, as he did most of last season, he is an asset who will do whatever is needed and never try to do too much. He made 31 of 86 three-pointers as a junior (36 percent), a solid percentage that means defenses can’t ignore him. Teams did focus attention on other Shockers and Wessel made some regret that decision — most notably Northern Iowa in the regular-season finale and Kansas in the NCAA Tournament.

He is capable of raising that percentage and his summer workouts revealed a confident shooter with accuracy well beyond the arc. He possesses little off-the-dribble game, but plenty of other Shockers can do that. He is helpful when he spreads the defense, keeps the ball moving and knocks defenders off his teammates.

Wessel may play more on the wing this season after starting at power forward last season. He can guard both spots, thanks to his determination and strength. A perimeter line of Wessel, Ron Baker and Fred VanVleet will be able to bully most guards away from their driving lanes and exact a physical toll.

His fit: Wessel, as a fifth-year senior, knows WSU’s system and knows his role. Marshall can count on max effort and minimal mistakes.

His best moments: Wessel could have dropped the mic and walked off stage after making 4 of 6 three-pointers and frustrating KU’s Perry Ellis in the NCAA Tournament. Wessel scored 12 points and grabbed nine rebounds and Shocker fans will never forget.

▪  He made two threes in the second half to help the Shockers pull away from Northern Iowa in last season’s regular-season finale, finishing with 11 points and four rebounds.

▪  Wessel hadn’t scored in double figures since early December when WSU traveled to Illinois State in February. Wessel made 3 of 6 shots and all four of his free throws in a game that signaled an increase in his scoring, finishing with 12 points.

▪  He scored a career-high 15 points against Saint Louis at Intrust Bank Arena, making 6 of 9 shots.

His best numbers: Wessel is 83-5 at WSU, the only number that matters to Marshall. He made 15 of 35 threes (42.8 percent) in his final nine games last season, completing his rally from a cold sophomore season. A broken finger ended his 2012-13 season after eight starts and the injury hampered his shooting the next season. As a junior, he gradually regained his stroke and grew more assertive.

His Shocker comps: Veteran Shockers fans will compare Wessel to Jay Jackson, a 6-7 defensive specialist who played with the ultra-talented teams in the early 1980s. Marshall, while recruiting Wessel, compared him to Graham Hatch, MVP of the 2011 NIT. Ben Smith, who also played on that NIT team, served as an under-sized forward who could stretch defenses with outside shooting.

Loves to see: Southern Illinois brings out the versatility in Wessel’s game. He shoots efficiently (3 of 7 threes), rebounds (15 in six games) and totals eight assists and six steals.

Hates to see: Bradley offers little resistance to WSU these days, but Wessel hasn’t been a factor. In five games against the Braves, he scored two points on 1-of-7 shooting with five turnovers.

The final word

“Evan Wessel is a stud,” Kansas coach Bill Self said in March. “To me, he was the most valuable guy of the game, and to me he dominated the game from a loose-ball energy. And then, of course, he shot the ball in the hole well.”

Height: 6-6

Weight: 216

Class: Sophomore

Hometown (previous school): Houston (Sunrise Christian Academy)

Key stats: Averaged 3.3 points in 27 games, making 11 of 26 three-pointers (42.3 percent).

His toolbox: Brown endured normal ups and downs as a freshman before finding his comfort zone in March as a defender and outside shooter. He broke out with 23 minutes and 11 points in an NCAA Tournament win over Indiana, also grabbing eight rebounds.

Brown is one of most athletic Shockers and his goal this season is to translate his quicks and leaping ability into drives to the basket. He speed could give WSU a threat on fast breaks as he fills a lane with experienced ball-handlers pushing for an easy basket. Brown isn’t yet a playmaker. He finished last season with seven assists and 12 turnovers.

Improving his ball-handling is a priority and he works regularly with assistant coach Greg Heiar on drills so he can develop an off-the-dribble attack.

His size and athletic ability could give WSU the option to play him at power forward in small lineups. Brown can guard several positions.

In a conference where 6-6 players often play in the post, Brown and 6-8 freshman Markis McDuffie are wings with uncommon size and skill.

His fit: He roomed with Tekele Cotton, WSU’s former defensive ace, on the road last season and wants to inherit Cotton’s role. He figures to combine with senior Evan Wessel at small forward. As a duo, they could wear down opposing small forwards with different, yet effective, unrelenting defense.

Brown may also back up Ron Baker at shooting guard to give the Shockers a long and athletic defender to harass opposing scorers in the backcourt.

Brown committed to WSU in May 2013 and spent a year at South Kent (Conn.) School and a post-graduate year at Sunrise Christian Academy. His arrival signaled WSU’s growing use of prep schools as recruiting territory. On this season’s roster, five other Shockers possess some kind of prep school or post-graduate experience.

His best moments: Brown hinted at his March performances with a strong run in the Diamond Head Classic. He scored 10 points against Loyola Marymount, then a season-high, nine against Hawaii and seven in a loss to George Washington. He made 5 of 6 threes in the tournament.

▪  He missed four games with a concussion late in the season before gradually returning to the rotation. He played 11 minutes against Northern Iowa, helping WSU survive first-half foul trouble, in the regular-season finale and scored eight points against Southern Illinois in the MVC Tournament.

▪  Marshall told Brown he grew up against Indiana with good defense and accurate shooting. He scored seven points in the win over Kansas and his hustle play for a steal and dunk in the second half provided one of the game’s memorable moments.

His best numbers: Brown’s shooting percentages are enticing for a freshman who played modest minutes. He made 29 of 56 shots (51.8 percent) and 21 of 29 foul shots (72.4 percent).

His Shocker comps: Marshall would be thrilled if Brown follows in Cotton’s path as a strong defender who can make shots to spread the defense. His offensive ceiling is higher, in part because of his size and shooting stroke.

Brown could call to mind past Shockers such as Dwight Praylow (who made 46.4 percent of his threes) or twin brother Dwayne Praylow (the MVC’s 1989 Defensive Player of the Year). Rob Kampman, Kyle Wilson and Ben Smith played forward and stretched the defense with three-point shooting.

The final word

“I think he’s kind of our difference-maker,” senior Ron Baker said. “When he’s playing really well, I think we can be a really, really, really good team. Everyone knows him for his defense, but he hit some big shots last year.”

Height: 6-8

Weight: 260

Class: Sophomore

Hometown (previous school): Edmond , Okla. (Memorial)

Key stats: Averaged 4.7 points and 2.6 rebounds in 33 games, one start, with 26 blocks.

His toolbox: Morris is a leaper with a soft scoring touch, unusual agility for a big man and a growing realization of the importance of strength and conditioning. He gives the Shockers a bit of nasty in the lane with his shot-blocking ability, something much needed.

He shows a soft touch on short jumpshots, usually around the foul line, and powerful inside moves. His 16 dunks ranked third on last season’s team. As with many freshmen, defensive positioning and attention to detail sometimes slipped.

He played last season with a bothersome left knee and had surgery in the spring to trim torn cartilage and realign his kneecap.

His fit: Morris took promising steps to convert tantalizing potential into production as a freshman. He survived a redshirt season in which coach Gregg Marshall questioned his work ethic. Last season, he sat out the first MVC game of the season because of poor practice habits.

Morris returned the next game and played well enough to make the MVC’s All-Bench and All-Freshman teams. He is the first Shocker on the All-Freshman team since Toure Murry in 2009. Questions about his conditioning and willingness to fight through fatigue are lessening and he gave WSU a solid stretch of double-figure minutes in January and February.

Morris continues to work on his body and his endurance. The talent exists for him to play at an all-conference level. Big men are hard to find and Morris should be a fixture in WSU’s lineup for three seasons and grow into more of a force as he matures and avoids foul troubles.

His best moments:

▪  Morris scored a season-high 17 points, making 7 of 8 shots, and grabbed seven rebounds in a February win at Southern Illinois.

▪  He played a role in frustrating Evansville center Egidijius Mockevicius with his defense in a January road win. He finished with nine points, blocked two shots, and helped hold Mockevicius to two points.

▪  Morris scored eight points in seven minutes in the NCAA win over Indiana, helping WSU survive first-half foul trouble in relief of Darius Carter.

His best numbers: Morris made 54.5 percent of his shots, second-best by a Shockers freshman behind Cliff Levingston’s 54.6 in 1979-80.

His Shocker comps: Morris follows the best and worst of former center J.T. Durley, an All-MVC pick in 2011. Both are talented scorers who irritate Marshall with what he sees as spotty work ethic. Durley endured and prospered in his final season. Morris can do the same.

Perhaps nothing bothers Marshall more than wasted potential. He will continue to push Morris.

The final word

“He’s kind of the X-factor for their team,” former Bradley coach Geno Ford said in January. “He’s got a lot of upside. You can’t put a thin kid on him … because he’s just going to absolutely annihilate them in the post. Then he can step out and make a 15-footer.”

Height: 6-10

Weight: 244

Class: Sophomore

Hometown (previous school): Keila, Estonia (Sunrise Christian Academy)

Key stats: Averaged 2.3 points and 1.2 rebounds in 24 games.

His toolbox: Nurger is an accurate outside shooter with the size and touch to score over smaller defenders. He can be utilized as a big man who can pull defenses away from the basket. He can catch passes, a skill some big men lack.

He gained around 20 pounds in an effort to improve his defense and rebounding. Big men who don’t rebound don’t play and Nurger realizes his effort to grab loose balls must improve. His work ethic and attitude are good.

His fit: Nurger is an appealing prospect with good size and skills. His shooting fits WSU’s offense, which encourages big men to shoot threes. It may take another season for Nurger to rebound and defend adequately, but his skills are worth the wait.

He played one minute in the MVC and NCAA tournaments, a signal he needs to make significant strides to earn a spot in the rotation.

His best moments: Nurger played double-digit minutes in eight of WSU’s first 13 games before slipping out of the rotation. He scored 15 points against Saint Louis, making 5 of 9 shots and 2 of 4 threes.

His best numbers: Nurger made 14 of 20 free throws (70 percent) and 18 of 38 shots (47.4 percent).

His Shocker comps: If Nurger reaches his potential as a forward/center with shooting range, he will call to mind Shockers such as Kyle Wilson and Darin Miller.

The final word

“I feel a lot stronger and at the same time I feel like I haven’t lost any quickness,” Nurger said at WSU’s media day. “The biggest thing I need to work on still is rebounding, of course, and defense.”

Height: 6-11

Weight: 235

Class: Senior

Hometown (previous school): Bungoma, Kenya (Kilgore (Texas) College

Key stats: Averaged 1.1 points and 1.5 rebounds in 32 games.

His toolbox: Wamukota is tall and mobile, possessing good hands and an underrated shooting touch. His defensive positioning improved late last season and he is regarded as an aggressive offensive rebounder.

While he is not a shot-blocker, his defensive work made important contributions late last season and can be the basis for more time as a senior. When he keeps his offensive moves simple, he can score with jump shots and short hooks. He gets himself in trouble when he tries to make multiple moves out of the post.

His fit: Wamukota came to WSU with a minimal basketball background in Kenya and one season at an NAIA school in which he played little and one season at a junior college. He wasn’t ready for a big role. He should play more this season as a defensive specialist who can score when needed.

WSU’s depth will allow coaches to play several big men and stick with the hot hand. Wamukota will be in that mix and his defense and rebounding are the best ways to stay on the court. Screening is a big part of the job for big men and he should have a better understanding of timing and angles in his second season.

His best moments:

▪  Wamukota had rarely grabbed important minutes until Northern Iowa visited Wichita State for the regular-season finale with the MVC title at stake. With foul trouble benching Darius Carter and Shaq Morris, Wamukota played nine first-half minutes — more than he played in nine previous games — and played disruptive defense and scored four points. He played a similar role in the NCAA Tournament win over Kansas, playing 14 minutes.

His best numbers: Wamukota made 45.4 percent of his shots. He won’t be a big scorer, but he can make defense pay if they ignore him.

His Shocker comps: Wamukota will draw comparisons to Ehimen Orukpe, but they are not altogether similar. Orukpe blocked shots and possessed limited offensive skills. Wamukota must defend by hustling and establishing position. He can catch passes on the pick and roll and make jump shots.

The final word

“I told myself before the season that this is a year to develop, to learn and any way I can help the team, that’s what I want to do,” Wamukota said last season. “Coach (Gregg) Marshall calls my name, I want to be ready to give (Darius Carter) or Shaq (Morris) a break, be ready to play defense.”

Height: 6-1

Weight: 175

Class: Sophomore

Hometown (previous school): Wichita (University of Kansas)

Key stats: Averaged 2.5 points in 27 games as a freshman at Kansas in 2013-14.

His toolbox: WSU coach Gregg Marshall and guard Fred VanVleet call him the best shooter they’ve worked with. When Frankamp gets going, it is a thing of beauty, with the ball swishing through the net in repetition. He is more athletic than most assume, capable of dunking with ease.

His fit: Marshall is pushing him hard to become a better defensive player and a stronger, more physical athlete. As Frankamp improves in those areas, he will give the Shockers an offensive weapon few teams can match. He is capable of playing point guard and shooting guard.

He practiced with WSU beginning last January after transferring from Kansas, so the demands are nothing new.

Frankamp is eligible on Dec. 12, the day WSU plays Utah at Intrust Bank Arena. His role may depend on how well wing players such as Landry Shamet and Zach Brown are playing. Whether Frankamp immediately steps into a prominent role or gradually, WSU will benefit from his talents.

VanVleet and Ron Baker are going to play around 30 minutes a game. Few opponents will match Frankamp’s talent in their second units. Many won’t with their starters.

At a minimum, he will spread defenses and give the Shockers a shooting threat capable of changing a game within two or three possessions. Imagine a lineup with VanVleet penetrating to kick out to Baker or Frankamp on opposite wings.

His best moments:

▪  Frankamp played little at Kansas until the NCAA Tournament in 2014. He scored 10 points against Eastern Kentucky, making 3 of 6 shots, and 12 in loss to Stanford, making 4 of 7 threes.

His best numbers: Frankamp had 15 assists and three turnovers at Kansas. At North, he scored 2,275 points to become the City League’s career leader.

His Shocker comps: Aubrey Sherrod is the last great shooter to go from the City League to Wichita State. Frankamp would also do well to emulate Clevin Hannah and Joe Ragland, recent point guards with excellent shooting skills who learned how to defend and a run a team.

The final word

“Everybody talks about his defense, but he’s not a terrible defender,” VanVleet said at WSU media day. “I’m not sure we’ll ask him to guard the best player on the other team on any given night, but he’ll be able to hold his own. It’s about trusting his instincts and creating good habits.”

Height: 6-8

Weight: 233

Class: Freshman

Hometown (previous school): Atlanta (Sunrise Christian Academy)

His toolbox: Hamilton is one of WSU’s top athletes, strong, quick and agile. He is also a good shooter with range out to the three-point line. He is an aggressive rebounder, especially on the offensive end, who will get the Shockers many bonus possessions.

His fit: Hamilton can help the Shockers as an energy guy off the bench at power forward. His ability to learn and execute WSU’s offensive sets and get to the right places at the right times on defense will determine his playing time.

Hamilton did get a head start as a Shocker by spending the summer of 2014 working with the team before attending Sunrise Christian Academy for a year. He admits he needed that year to improve his work ethic and body. Assistant coach Greg Heiar tells Hamilton to become an “every-day guy” who shows up focused for each practice, film session and weight-room appointment. As Hamilton grows into that description, his production will grow.

His best numbers: Hamilton averaged around 14 points and seven rebounds for Sunrise Christian Academy in 2014-15.

His Shocker comps: WSU coach Gregg Marshall has recruited several bouncy forwards with good rebounding and defensive skills, such as Gabe Blair and Aaron Ellis.

The final word

“An every-day guy is someone who treats every day as if it’s his last,” Hamilton said in June. “He works hard and you know exactly what you’re going to get from this person. Clocks in early. Clocks out late. Last summer, I wasn’t an every-day guy. I didn’t know what was going on.”

Height: 6-8

Weight: 185

Class: Freshman

Hometown (previous school): Paterson, N.J. (Saint Anthony)

His toolbox: McDuffie might possess the highest ceiling of any Shocker. He is a legitimate 6-8 wing with strong shooting and ball-handling skills often found in higher-profile conferences. He is a strong finisher on the break and excels driving to the basket.

His fit: As he matures and improves, McDuffie can become a devastating all-around scorer with the size to be a devastating defender against smaller guards and forwards.

It won’t be easy for him earn wing minutes with experienced players in front of him, but expect coaches to find ways to use his talents.

Next season, he will join guard Landry Shamet in assuming major roles.

His best numbers: Averaged 14.4 points for a team that went 28-2. ESPN.com ranks him No. 95 nationally in the class of 2015.

His Shocker comps: McDuffie’s skills might compare to 2014 second-team All-American Cleanthony Early. WSU coaches get four seasons to work with McDuffie, two more than with Early.

The final word

“He is still growing,” Saint Anthony coach Bob Hurley said. “He’s one of those guys where people really like his upside. He’s very lean, very skilled for his size.”

Height: 6-4

Weight: 188

Class: Freshman

Hometown (previous school): Kansas City (Park Hill)

His toolbox: Shamet (SHAM-it) is WSU’s shooting guard in training, capable of making three-pointers, driving and dunking. His long arms and athletic ability make him dangerous in transition and help his defense. He is also capable of playing point guard and is learning both spots, not an easy task for a freshman learning WSU’s demanding offense.

His fit: He enjoys the luxury of learning behind two experienced guards this season. If he plays enough minutes, he is capable of making a run at MVC All-Freshman team honors. He will take a larger role next season. His work ethic and attention off the court are also strong and he should take on more leadership in the future.

His best numbers: Averaged around 18 points, six rebounds and three assists as a senior at Park Hill. Rivals.com ranked him No. 88 nationally in the class of 2015.

His Shocker comps: He will watch Ron Baker up close for a season. Toure Murry is another versatile guard who played a leading role for the Shockers.

The final word

“I worked hard back at home, but there’s so much access you have,” Shamet said in June. “Gym. Weight room. They make it really easy for us to have the opportunity to get better.”

Height: 6-1

Weight: 160

Class: Freshman

Hometown (previous school): Grandview, Mo. (Hargrave Military Academy)

His toolbox: Taylor’s quickness and excellent shooting ability make him an offensive threat and a pesky defender.

His fit: Taylor, a lefty, has a chance to learn point guard from Fred VanVleet this season and apply his teachings next season. Like most freshmen, his decisions are sometimes made too fast.

His best numbers: Averaged around 20 points for Hargrave last season and is ranked a three-star recruit by Rivals.com.

His Shocker comps: Clevin Hannah and Joe Ragland excelled as sweet-shooting point guards. They didn’t possess the quicks of Taylor.

The final word

“He can score in bunches,” Hargrave coach A.W. Hamilton said. “He’s probably one of the fastest and quickest players in the country. He’s got a chance, in a couple of years, to be the best defensive player in the country.”

Height: 6-5

Weight: 208

Class: Sophomore

Hometown (previous school): Springfield, Ill. (Texas A&M)

His toolbox: Allen is a shooter with good size and three seasons of eligibility. He will spend his practice time working on defense, quickness and strength. He wasn’t given a chance to show his ball-handling often at Texas A&M and averaged less than one rebound and one assist.

His fit: He will practice with the team while redshirting in 2015-16, which should give him a head start on next season. He will get a shot to play shooting guard and small forward. Allen committed to WSU, canceling plans to check out Butler, Drake, Northwestern and Illinois State, because he saw himself as a Ron Baker-type player. He left Texas A&M after one season in search of place where basketball came first.

His best moments: Allen scored a season-high 16 points against New Orleans, making 4 of 5 three-pointers. He scored 13 points at Alabama and 12 at Missouri.

His best numbers: Allen played in 32 games and started eight for the Aggies last season. He averaged 4.5 points and made 30 of 93 three-pointers (32.3 percent).

His Shocker comps: Allen said coaches compared him to Baker while recruiting him. While he isn’t as athletic as Baker, he can produce in many of the same ways. Allen won’t develop into a point guard, but he can provide good shooting and physical play on the wing, similar to players such as Graham Hatch, Aaron Hogg and Ryan Herrs.

The final word

“The basketball school is appealing to me,” Allen said. “At A&M, it was mostly a football school, and even baseball. It’s all basketball (at WSU) and that’s all this city cares about.”

Height: 6-6

Weight: 205

Class: Junior

Hometown (previous school): Wichita (Goddard Eisenhower)

His toolbox: Bush is a bouncy wing player with a smooth outside shot. His enthusiasm and sense of humor make him an important part of the locker room and bench. When WSU’s marketing department needs a Shocker to wear a body camera during warmups or interview teammates on media day, Bush is the go-to player.

His fit: Bush often plays the role of the opposing team’s top wing scorer during scouting sessions. Walk-ons need to work hard in practice, stay out of trouble and cheer from the bench. Bush is one of the best at all three.

He played in three games last season before a stress fracture in his right foot sidelined him.

His best moments: Bush played eight minutes and scored three points as a freshman against Emporia State. He also played eighth minutes later that season against Bradley.

The final word

“Zach Bush is definitely a guy you want in your locker room,” senior Ron Baker said. “He’s a very comical kid, easy to get along with. Fun to be around. He’s someone you want on your team to balance out different attitudes that other guys have.”

Height: 6-9

Weight: 215

Class: Freshman

Hometown (previous school): Wichita (Sunrise Christian Academy)

His toolbox: Barney fit in quickly as a hard-working walk-on who can shoot and give WSU a big body to work on the scout team. He took a post-graduate year at Sunrise after playing at Maize South, using the time to get stronger and play against top competition.

He visited the College of Charleston and other NCAA Division I schools recruited Barney, who elected to stay at home.

His fit: Barney can play center and power forward, making him a flexible practice player who can help with scouting reports.

His best numbers: Earned honorable mention All-Class 5A honors as a senior at Maize South in 2014.

The final word

“I want to come in and work hard every day,” Barney said. “At Sunrise, they say to bring attitude and effort and that’s all you can control.”

Height: 5-10

Weight: 175

Class: Junior

Hometown (previous school): Oklahoma City (Putnam City North)

His toolbox: Simon, a walk-on, is trusted by coach Gregg Marshall so much so that he will insert him into games late in the first half to save Fred VanVleet from foul trouble. He knows how Marshall wants to play and is talented enough to execute for short periods. He provides the starters a good look from the scout team.

His fit: Simon teams with Zach Bush to give coaches two reliable, enthusiastic players who know how to help the team without getting much of the glory. Like Bush, he knows how to pump up teammates on the bench and keep people in the right mood.

His best moments: Simon scored a career-high five points in last season’s win over Missouri State and had two steals. He also scored five against DePaul in his freshman season.

His best numbers: Simon played in 25 games as a freshman and 14 last season.

The final word

“Coach (Gregg Marshall) coaches him to be a real efficient player,” senior Ron Baker said. “He makes great decisions and helps us get better throughout the year on the scout team.”

This story was originally published November 5, 2015 at 3:59 AM with the headline "Meet the 2015-16 Wichita State men’s basketball players."