Category Archives: Basketball

New Shocker: Mason Felter

WSU will have three new walk-ons this season - Brett Steven (Bishop Carroll), Mason Felter (Bishop Carroll) and Reggie Britton (Plano, Texas). We got Steven’s story at WSU in the newspaper a few weeks ago. Here’s an attempt to introduce the other two. WSU coaches cannot comment on walk-ons until school starts.

Today: Mason Felter, a 6-foot-7 forward from Wichita.

Felter is the son of former Shocker John Felter (1987-89). He may be the second legacy in the program’s 101 seasons. Hard to believe, I know. I can’t think of any other than Randy-Reggie Smithson (I overlooked that one until Mike Kennedy pointed it out). Are there others? If you can help, let me know (Bob and Lisa Hodgson and Carl and Kareema Williams come to mind as father-daugher combos). Felter grew up around WSU basketball, going to games and following the Shockers. When he tired of Dodge City Community College after his freshman season, WSU was a natural place to land.

Q: Why walk on at WSU?

A: It’s kind of been one of those things where I always wanted to be here. I went to Dodge City last year and I had a good season, but I didn’t get what I wanted out of it. This was my best option.

Q: What other options did you consider?

A: Newman was talking to me. There were some other Division I’s that were showing interest. From what my coach out at Dodge said there were a lot of schools that were interested in me for the following year. I know Arkansas-Little Rock, they were going to offer me in the early period for my junior season.

Q: Describe the role of a walk-on in one sentence:

A: Mine’s going to be a little different, because I’m going to redshirt this year, most likely, and I’m trying to earn a scholarship. So I’m going to be out there playing just as hard as anyone else.

Q: You’re in a pickup game at Koch Arena - who is the Shocker you most dread playing against?

A: For me, it’s Ramon (Clemente), just because he’s a little bit shorter than me, but he’s a lot stronger. I’m more comfortable guarding guys out on the perimeter than in the post, just because I don’t have the body strength. He’s obviously extremely strong.

Q: Favorite NBA player?

A: I don’t watch the NBA that much.

Q: How many texts do you send a day?

A: I don’t know about in a day, but I go over 10,000 in a month. Mainly to my girlfriend.

New Shocker: Reggie Britton

WSU will have three new walk-ons this season - Brett Steven (Bishop Carroll), Mason Felter (Bishop Carroll) and Reggie Britton (Plano, Texas). We got Steven’s story at WSU in the newspaper a few weeks ago. Here’s an attempt to introduce the other two. WSU coaches cannot comment on walk-ons until school starts.

Today: Reggie Britton, a 6-foot-2 guard from Plano (Texas) High.

There is a serious division on the team in Britton’s mind. Some guys prefer Kobe over Jordan. Britton (and fellow freshman David Kyles) are avowed Kobe campers. The older (if you’re past 30 pause and sigh) guys prefer Jordan. In this case, the older guys include senior Ramon Clemente and redshirt sophomore J.T. Durley.

Q: Why walk on at WSU?

A: I came here for the elite camp a year ago and I really liked the coaches and everything. When I didn’t get picked up with an offer (from another Division I school), I talked to (WSU coaches) and they said they would be happy to have me here as a preferred walk-on. It’s a basketball school. Everyone seems good. Good education. Get my skills better.

Q: What other options did you consider?

A: I probably would have still played a little bit in the summer to try to get some offers. I had some other walk-on spots that teams wanted me on, that didn’t have a scholarship for this year, but possibly for next year. I had some more DII (NCAA Division II) and DIII (NCAA Division III) schools that came up, but I definitely wanted to play DI.

Q: Describe the role of a walk-on in one sentence:

A: Just another player on the team striving to help the school and the program grow and win.

Q: You’re in a pickup game at Koch Arena - who is the Shocker you most dread playing against?

A: I would definitely have to say Ramon, just because every time he goes out there he puts forth 110 percent. He doesn’t ever take plays off. He trash talks a little bit - you know Ramon. He pushes everybody and when he’s on the other team, he’s going to play hard.

Q: Favorite NBA player?

A: Kobe Bryant. He’s the best player ever. I’m not going to say he’s definitely better than Jordan, but he’s up there.

Q: How many texts do you send a day?

A: At least 300. At least. That’s at bare minimum. Within the month, I’ll probably go through 8,000. I’m sending them off.

All-MVC freshmen

Former WSU guard Matt Braeuer proved he possesses one sharp basketball mind last season when he picked up new coach Gregg Marshall’s system so quickly it impressed coaches. So when Braeuer spoke on KWCH’s Sports Sunday it was must-see stuff for Shocker fans.

Two things stuck out.

  1. Shorts are a bad look on TV. Gotta wear slacks.
  2. The chances of guard Toure Murry making second-team All-MVC as a freshman are slim, and that’s being generous. Read More »

Ramon Clemente on the mend

Wichita State forward Ramon Clemente doesn’t want to slow down his summer workouts, even after Monday’s collapse during conditioning drills. The WSU training staff and coaches are of a different opinion. The good news is Clemente does not believe his health is in any serious jeopardy. He blames Monday’s episode on stress caused by family issues, not the workout running steps and ramps at Cessna Stadium. He said there is no history of problems. Read More »

Fun with Hoopedia

Awvee Storey has his own page on Hoopedia. Dave Stallworth does not. Neither does Cleo Littleton or Cheese Johnson. It is up to us to right this wrong. Hoopedia is NBA.com’s version of Wikipedia, where one of two things happen: 1) We come together as a community to write an accurate version of history, or 2) Internet idiots try to punk the rest of us (it’s up to you to determine which approach is more appealing). Read More »

Basketball talent in Wichita

Wichita State’s specialty camp is Saturday at Koch Arena and it’s one of those chances for recruits and coaches to check each other out. It’s one of the mileposts before the critical July recruiting evaluation periods (July 6-15 and 22-31). Soon after, official visits and commitments are on the menu. It all leads up to the early signing period in November.

I talked to L.J. Goolsby, the former Shocker guard who coaches with Kansas City Pump N Run, about players in the area who might be in WSU’s ballpark. William Chrisman (Mo.) teammates Justin Clark (6-4) and Jon Ekey (6-7) are expected to be at the camp. WSU has contacted both. Goolsby also said he believes junior-to-be Mark Braden of O’Hara (Mo.), a 6-3 guard, will also be at the camp.

Some other names of Missouri-Kansas kids that might be worth following for recruiting fans:

  • Alex Burks, a 6-4 guard from Grandview, Mo.
  • Will Spradling, a 6-3 guard from Shawnee Mission South (and son of former Tulsa player Phil Spradling).
  • Dorian Green, a 6-1 guard from Lawrence
  • Trevor Releford, a 5-9 guard from the class of 2010 who attends Bishop Miege. He is the brother of Kansas freshman-to-be Travis Releford.

Goolsby said the Shockers are doing a good job in Kansas City, with the signing of center Garrett Stutz the prime evidence. Getting some of the KC area’s best to Koch Arena this weekend is also helpful.

“That’s always a good sign,” Goolsby said.

 

Shockers warm up for Disney with the Gents

WSU’s basketball non-conference schedule is not finished - close, but not finished. Centenary’s is complete, so we now know the Gents (alma mater of Robert Parish) will play Nov. 24 at Koch Arena.

Centenary plays 12 of its first 13 games away from Shreveport, including a road trip that includes North Dakota State and South Dakota State. It plays at Mississippi State, Kansas State, Texas Tech, Missouri and Oral Roberts.

Ouch. Feel free to insert your rant about how NCAA Division I is overstuffed with teams that don’t possess the resources necessary to compete. If you have to play that schedule, something is wrong. The Gents were 10-21 last season. Coach Greg Gary is in his first season, and let’s hope he has a long-term contract.

We also know WSU goes to Texas Tech on Dec. 3. The Old Spice Classic plays on Nov. 27, 28 and 30 in Florida. Centenary’s job is give the Shockers a little confidence going into a monster tournament - the field includes Gonzaga, Michigan State, Tennessee, Oklahoma State, Siena, Maryland and Georgetown. Somewhere, WSU will fit in home games with UMKC and Northern Arizona. More to come.

X speaks out in Seattle

Xavier McDaniel and Gary Payton risk the displeasure of David Stern by appearing at a Save Our Sonics rally. True to form, neither seem to care.

If you are interested in some X memories from a Sonics perspective, or to follow the relocation drama, check this site.

New Shocker: Gabe Blair

Wichita State found what seems to be a perfect fit for its 13th and final scholarship. Forward Gabe Blair (6-8, 217 pounds) said he will transfer from East Carolina to WSU. He told WSU coaches late last week and will sign a grant-in-aid on Monday.

Blair gives the Shockers a good rebounder (he led ECU last season) and another big man to help this season in practice. WSU was so thin on numbers last season that sometimes practices were not competitive enough. A guy like J.T. Durley needs to be pushed hard and play against other talented big men. The same goes for freshmen Garrett Stutz and Ehimen Orupke. This season, it’s not going to be easy for any of the big men. That should help all of them. Coach Gregg Marshall will be able to play players who prove it in practice. Last season, his thin roster left him few choices.

Blair should be ready to step in right away as a junior in 2009-10, when Ramon Clemente and Mantas Griskenas depart. WSU’s front-line depth (Stutz, Orupke, Ellis, Durley) looks good for the immediate future.

Ehimen Orukpe update

Expect some Ehimen Orukpe news tomorrow. Wichita State basketball coach Gregg Marshall said to expect a news release on Friday updating fans on the Nigerian center. I would think this is good news.