Mills Announces 10-Day Greek Exhibition Tour

[WstateU]

I heard you have to have a really long tongue to reach through the hair in Greece.

Just give 'em the Spocker!

[JVShocker]

[shock]

I heard you have to have a really long tongue to reach through the hair in Greece.

[SubGod22]

Go Shockers - RH: Trip To Greece Offers Precious Practice Hours For Shockers

Jacob Germany talked in the Koch Arena concourse during a break in basketball camp and a fan walked by.

"We're ready for you," he said. Germany responded it, "Appreciate it."

That wasn't the first indication for Germany that Shocker basketball is important around the city. Germany, a transfer from UTSA, is getting acquainted with his new team and school as the Shockers prepare to start summer practices on Monday.

He is also getting acquainted with fans who pay close attention to all things Shocker basketball.

A week ago, Germany hit McDonald's for breakfast after a workout and the person who served him his McGriddle knew he played for the Shockers. Germany, although he is 6-foot-11, was not wearing Shocker gear.

"I thought no one knows me here – 'How do you know that?'" Germany said. "Never had that at UTSA. It was cool. It's one of the reasons I came here. I'm excited to play for everybody here."

The Shockers started with individual workouts this summer before the team portions of practice start next week. Practices hit another gear in on July 17 when they start their 10 full practices to prepare for a three-game exhibition tour of Greece from Aug. 1-10.

"Coaches get excited about practice," Wichita State coach Paul Mills said. "Players aren't as excited about it as we are. To get 10 of them . . . that much time, hands on, with your guys is 100 percent beneficial."

Mills is forming early impressions of his new team, especially those stepping into leadership roles during the transition and those who are diligent in the weight room and gym.

Guard Xavier Bell, a junior returner, is one of the most experienced Shockers with three seasons of NCAA Division I basketball on his resume. After observing as a newcomer last season, Bell is bigger presence.

"It's the mindset, more confident, being familiar with the league," Bell said. "Trying to help the new guys get accustomed to that transition and making sure I'm staying on top of everything and bringing the right pace and right attitude."

Mills, hired at Wichita State in March after six seasons at Oral Roberts, is pleased to see Bell working on shooting early in the morning and open to filling team needs. Bell is practicing at shooting guard and point guard, spots where the Shockers are inexperienced after the departure of Craig Porter Jr.

"He understands that there's a role to play as lead guard, and he understands there's a role to play as an off-ball guard," Mills said. "He's been consistent working at both. He's 'However you can see me being utilized. I just want to make sure I'm prepared for whatever role.' It's been pretty impressive, his approach."

Germany, who earned honorable mention All-Conference USA honors the past two seasons, is also off to a good start. Mills said he envisions lineups where Germany can play with returning center Kenny Pohto.

"(Germany's) really good playing in space," Mills said. "He's able to dribble, able to shoot, able to finish. He's been very consistent."

Germany, who averaged 12.3 points and 8.3 rebounds last season for UTSA, has a long relationship with Mills. He considered ORU out of high school in Kingston, Okla.

"I know he likes to shoot a lot of threes and play fast," Germany said. "That's along the lines of how UTSA played. That correlates well. I'm looking forward to all that up and down running. It's entertaining to watch."

Bell is impressed with the energy early in the summer from the coaching staff and teammates.

"It's been a great atmosphere," he said. "I'm excited to get up every day and come work with this group of guys. The coaching staff is invested in the players and getting us better."

[ShockTalk]

Would have been nice to have a complete roster before the start of 10 days of "full practice" before their Greek trip. It will be nearly mid-August before the team and coaches return.

[TrackSuitAndTie]

Would have been nice to have a complete roster before the start of 10 days of "full practice" before their Greek trip. It will be nearly mid-August before the team and coaches return.

I would hope they sign at least one more player before July 17th. It's pretty rare that guys sign later into the summer but these are different times with the transfer portal and NIL. I could see them leaving the last scholarship open, but I highly doubt they roll with 11 scholarship players.

[ShockHat]

I don’t understand the enjoyment around Bell. Call me ignorant maybe, but I was *super* unimpressed with him during the season. Granted I didn’t watch as many games as I normally do due to being in the UK, but I had him pegged as a transfer, or hoped we would upgrade at the very least.

Am I wrong?

[SubGod22]

I don’t understand the enjoyment around Bell. Call me ignorant maybe, but I was *super* unimpressed with him during the season. Granted I didn’t watch as many games as I normally do due to being in the UK, but I had him pegged as a transfer, or hoped we would upgrade at the very least.

Am I wrong?

Not entirely. He wasn't going to transfer as he'd have to sit out and he's already home.

His talent level isn't what I would call AAC level, definitely not AAC starter level.

He could be a valuable bench player if he can knock down open shots somewhat consistently, which he had done at his previous school.

He did show a little more promise a little later in the season, but not a ton, at getting into space and attacking the paint a bit.

He can have a role and find value there. If he's starting or playing 20+ minutes a game, then we have some issues. At this point, I would think the 0U kid will start at PG and Rogers probably starts at SG. Bell will compete for minutes with Ricks and Joy at both positions and maybe someone else if I'm missing an addition off the top of my head.

[Aargh]

Cortes won't be playing 40 minutes a game and Bell is likely to be a better option than Joy, who has never played in the USA, let alone played in D1 ball. Unless there is a real surprise coming, Bell is looking like the backup at PG. Ricks, Rogers and Beverly could be the rotation at 2/3.

Sounds like Germany could be the PF with Pohto at C. Then we need to hope that either Abidde or Ballard has made significant progress from last year.

If Abidde and Bell can be role players and eat some minutes it could be a "workable" roster. I'm skeptical of finding and signing anybody who could take away their minutes at this time of the year.

[ShockHat]

Cortes won't be playing 40 minutes a game and Bell is likely to be a better option than Joy, who has never played in the USA, let alone played in D1 ball. Unless there is a real surprise coming, Bell is looking like the backup at PG. Ricks, Rogers and Beverly could be the rotation at 2/3.

Sounds like Germany could be the PF with Pohto at C. Then we need to hope that either Abidde or Ballard has made significant progress from last year.

If Abidde and Bell can be role players and eat some minutes it could be a "workable" roster. I'm skeptical of finding and signing anybody who could take away their minutes at this time of the year.

feels crazy we didn’t use the last two scholarships even just for bodies. Feels extremely late to be getting anybody worth a damn

[TrackSuitAndTie]

Cortes won't be playing 40 minutes a game and Bell is likely to be a better option than Joy, who has never played in the USA, let alone played in D1 ball. Unless there is a real surprise coming, Bell is looking like the backup at PG. Ricks, Rogers and Beverly could be the rotation at 2/3.

Sounds like Germany could be the PF with Pohto at C. Then we need to hope that either Abidde or Ballard has made significant progress from last year.

If Abidde and Bell can be role players and eat some minutes it could be a "workable" roster. I'm skeptical of finding and signing anybody who could take away their minutes at this time of the year.

I think the coaching staff will find someone who can play PG with one of the last two scholarships. They may not be the most impactful (e.g., Shammah Scott), but someone who can give Cortes a break while not being a complete dumpster fire out there will be very important to the team's success.

Regarding the frontcourt, I believe it will be Germany/Ballard at the 5 and Pohto/Abidde/DeGray(?) at the 4. Germany has no outside game whereas Pohto is more comfortable in space. I don't think Germany has ever played PF in college.

[SubGod22]

feels crazy we didn’t use the last two scholarships even just for bodies. Feels extremely late to be getting anybody worth a damn

It was mentioned, not sure if it was serious or in jest, that the last two 'ships would be for foreign players. It's possible to get a good foreign kid that can have an impact later than it is to find an American kid to do the same. Simply because those kids aren't recruited or seen at near the level of their American counterparts.

So let's try to be a little optimistic until proven otherwise.

[ShockTalk]

I would hope they sign at least one more player before July 17th. It's pretty rare that guys sign later into the summer but these are different times with the transfer portal and NIL. I could see them leaving the last scholarship open, but I highly doubt they roll with 11 scholarship players.

I was kind of hoping that the announcement of the Greek trip 3 weeks ago might have been something that could have broken a tie in our favor someone the coaching staff was hot on. By now, it's just a bonus for whoever we may get. I still think we have some holes/weaknesses in depth at a couple of positions. Pretty much 30 days and counting.

[forevershockerfan]

Maybe the 3 teams we play in Greece could have a player or two we could sign? Probably not, but these extra practices and games are going to be a bonus.

[Kung Wu]

I don’t understand the enjoyment around Bell. Call me ignorant maybe, but I was *super* unimpressed with him during the season. Granted I didn’t watch as many games as I normally do due to being in the UK, but I had him pegged as a transfer, or hoped we would upgrade at the very least.

Am I wrong?

Played like an underclassman last year, because ... he was an underclassman. Not sure the "let dawgs be dawgs" system fit him well. Will be interesting to see if HCPM can get his junior mojo flowing.