As a graduate of Campus High School in Haysville, Kansas, Steele Gaston-Chapman returns to his hometown to play for the Wichita State men’s basketball team this year.

After playing for Southwestern College last year, Gaston-Chapman was named the 2021 KCAC Freshman of the Year. Then, he decided to come back to Wichita as a walk-on for WSU.

“It’s been a childhood dream of mine to sit here, not only play here but, you know, just be a part of this environment,” said Gaston-Chapman.

Walking-on for WSU was an opportunity that Gaston-Chapman said he could not pass up.

“I’ve always been a shocker fan growing up coming to the games,” Gaston-Chapman said. “So just to sit there and be here when the opportunity presented itself—I couldn’t pass on it.”

Gaston-Chapman hopes to be a source of energy for the Shockers this year. 

“Being a walk 0n, you probably won’t see much time at first, but I’m gonna cheer on my teammates, you know, make sure that I can keep them positive and just do anything that I can do to be a positive energy for the team,” Gaston-Chapman said.

He said he is excited for the season to start.

“I’m looking forward to just getting and going,” Gaston-Chapman said. “Just getting the season started and being in this environment on a different perspective.”

During his senior year of high school, Gaston-Chapman’s basketball season was cut short at the state basketball tournament due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, he used the disappointment of his unfinished season to fuel his mindset going forward.

“I took that as a learning curve and didn’t allow it to like completely detach myself from the game, and I tried to just overcome that honestly,” Gaston-Chapman said. “And I would say I did because I’m still here.”

Gaston-Chapman said that coming back to Wichita and playing for WSU has been a blessing. 

“Whenever you get the opportunity to sit there and play for your hometown, how can it not just be a blessing?” Gaston-Chapman said.