Between Shocker stars such as Ron Baker and Fred VanVleet, the men’s basketball team is thriving.

Although the players and head coach Gregg Marshall are what seem to make the team, they have help from some behind-the-scenes people.

Whether the team needs help running drills or in the weight room, the managers are always prepared.

Senior Jeff Chapman has managed the men’s basketball team for four years.

“I knew I wanted to be involved with basketball coming out of high school,” Chapman said. “I then got an interview and worked camp and everything. Since then, [it] has been rock-and-roll history.”

Chapman described manager work as “nitty-gritty.” The managers must make sure everything is on the court before practice, the free-throw lines are taped, the jerseys are out, the balls are aired up and anything else that is necessary for a smooth practice.

“Outside of the coaches and practice, [the managers] are our next helping hand,” freshman player Ty Taylor II said. “Whenever we need to go to the weight room or get extra shots in, they are always willing to help. They are a great asset to us in helping make us better.”

Not only are the managers able to help better the team, they are able to better themselves by taking on larger roles and learning new experiences to help them later in their careers.

“The last two years I’ve taken on a larger role, and I’m doing the film for the team full-time,” Chapman said. “That is going to help me down the road in getting a coaching job, especially since I will have four years of experience.”

Although the managers are there to help the team, it is still a significant time commitment. It is a year-round obligation. During late spring and summer, the managers are less busy, but once the season starts, they are back to being full-time students and managers.

“The managers are a part of the team,” Taylor said. “I love them, and they are always willing to help. Even though sometimes you won’t need it, I think it’s a good thing that they want to be so helpful and involved.”