The work required for Wichita State basketball’s return to national relevance is well underway.

The latest development? Roster pieces for next season are already being put into place a little over a week since the Shockers’ season ended in the quarterfinals of the National Invitation Tournament.

The list of returners grew Thursday afternoon, as center Noah Hill announced he will stay at Wichita State entering his sophomore season, via his personal X account.

Hill joins forwards TJ Williams and Dillon Battie, and center Will Berg in publicly stating plans to play another season at Koch Arena.

More importantly than becoming the fourth Shocker to announce a return to the program, Hill shored up continuity in the frontcourt.

That will be vital for a Wichita State team that averaged a program-best 14.67 offensive rebounds per game last season, finishing fourth nationally. The Shockers converted them into 15.2 second chance points a game, ranking in the 98th percentile, according to CBB Analytics.

The tenacity on the glass helped them finish 24-12 — the program’s highest win total since the 2017-18 season — along with a second-place finish in the American Conference and an appearance in the conference postseason championship game.

While Hill’s role was limited as a freshman — 97 minutes across 23 appearances — the 6-foot-8 Sunrise Christian Academy product will get another offseason working out and developing with the coaching staff.

Hill showed flashes of his potential throughout the season, especially when Berg and center Emmanuel Okorafor dealt with foul troubles early on in the year. 

He logged a season-high 12 minutes in the opener against UNC Asheville, finishing with two points, three rebounds and two blocks. Hill scored a season-high six points in six minutes against NAIA Mount Marty.

Hill’s impact, however, extended beyond the stat sheet. The best example came late in the season when Hill used his length and athleticism to alter an inbound pass enough for senior star Kenyon Giles to corral a loose ball and force double-overtime on the road against East Carolina.

His announcement may seem small but is a contributing piece for what Paul Mills continues to build as he enters his fourth season as head coach. 

With Hill and others returning, the Shockers have already established a solid foundation for continued growth, even before the transfer portal officially opens next Tuesday.