Chadrack Lufile, a center from Coffeyville Community College, is Wichita State’s newest arrival for the men’s basketball team. He spent the summer at home in Toronto completing on-line classwork to graduate from junior college. Lufile (loo-FEEL) came to Wichita earlier this week and is catching up with his teammates on the practice court and in the weight room. Lufile (6-foot-9, 255 pounds) averaged 11.6 points and 8.4 rebounds for Coffeyville last season, earning second-team honors on the All-Jayhawk Conference and All-Region VI teams.
Q: What skills are you targeting this summer for improvement?
A: My shooting, mid-range shooting. My jump hooks. My dribbling. Offensive skills.
Q: What is your favorite movie?
A: “Coach Carter.” It kind of relates to myself. It’s a bunch of guys that just didn’t grow up in a good neighborhood and they’re trying to get scholarships and trying to handle the situation. Same thing with me. I grew up in a neighborhood I wasn’t really too, I would say, fond of. Basketball was kind of my escape, really. I would get mad and didn’t like the situation and I would go to the gym. I found it like a stress reliever.
Q: Who is the best player you faced?
A: Back in high school I played for Team Canada against Team USA. I had to guard (former North Carolina star) Harrison Barnes. He was a really good shooter. I underestimated him. Back home, a lot of guys my size can’t really shoot the ball like he can. That was new for me.
Q: You are friends with fellow Shocker Nick Wiggins, also a Canadian. Two Canadians – what does that mean for WSU basketball?
A: My decision coming here, he had an influence on me. Two Canadians in the same place push each other. It’s hard in the DI world. A lot of guys get here, but they don’t really the put the work in. I’m really trying to put the work in and take advantage of all the blessings I have. Having one of my best friends with me is something indescribable. It will be fun, but we have to stay focused. (Canadians) Tristan Thompson, who plays with the Cleveland Cavaliers, and Cory Joseph, they were together at Texas. When I saw that, I saw they had a really good bond and I could see them working with each other and making each other better. I want that same relationship.
Q: Will it bug you when people want to talk hockey?
A: It doesn’t bother me. I don’t really watch it. I think it’s kind of boring.
Q: How would you describe Nick Wiggins’ skills?
A: Tall, lanky, athletic. Can dribble and shoot. He can basically do everything.
Q: Twitter or Facebook?
A: It doesn’t really matter. Twitter, since it’s the new thing that’s going on.
Q: Do expect to see Canadian flags in the student section at Koch Arena?
A: Yes. We’re going to play our hearts out, and give it everything I’ve got. Every day I wake up in the morning and thank God for the coaching staff and everyone in the Shocker community.