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Wichita State's independent, student-run news source

The Sunflower

Wichita State's independent, student-run news source

The Sunflower

Wichita State's independent, student-run news source

The Sunflower

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Despite injury, basketball’s Fiona Diomande builds relationships with teammates

Evan Tong, Reporter November 7, 2024

A torn ACL has sidelined freshman guard Fiona Diomande for the season, but it hasn’t stopped her from meeting her Wichita State teammates.  Arriving in mid-July from Paris, Diomande didn’t have...

Zion Pipkin, a freshman, jumps to shoot a basket in the second half. Pipkin scored nine points during his 15 minutes of play time on Oct. 27.

Relentless Zion Pipkin seeks to make an impact in a crowded Wichita State guard room

Evan Tong, Reporter November 7, 2024

One of the key cogs added to the Wichita State men’s basketball team this year is freshman guard Zion Pipkin from Houston, Texas. Pipkin will have to fight for a rotation spot among eight other Shocker...

Junior Jasmine Peaks looks to pass the ball on Oct. 30. Peaks is a transfer from Indian River State College in Florida.

Four women’s basketball junior college transfers bring a ‘chip on their shoulder’ to WSU

Jacob Unruh, Sports Editor November 7, 2024

Coming off a year where the team finished 13th in the American Athletic Conference, Wichita State women’s basketball coach Terry Nooner said he was looking for players with “chips on their shoulders”...

AJ McGinnis, a fifth-year guard, practices a defense drill. McGinnis spent the last two seasons at Lipscomb University.

‘Welcomed me with open arms’: New men’s basketball transfer AJ McGinnis settles in at Wichita State

Shelby DuVall, Reporter November 7, 2024

AJ McGinnis has donned many jerseys throughout his college basketball career.  He got his start wearing blue and gold, nursed injuries while adorned in red and black, made shots dressed in purple and...

Graduate student Taylor Jameson goes around a Northeastern State player during the exhibition game on Oct. 30. Last year, Jameson appeared in all 31 games as a senior at George Mason.

Women’s basketball’s Taylor Jameson comes ‘back home’ for final year of eligibility

Mia Hennen, Managing Editor November 6, 2024

After four years in Virginia, Taylor Jameson said it was a “no-brainer” to return to Wichita for her last year of NCAA eligibility.  “I wanted to come back home,” Jameson said. Jameson,...

The Wichita State dance team performs a routine at Shocker Madness on Oct. 5. For the 2024-25 season, some members of the dance team will sit in the stands during games.

‘Realized how horrible it was’: Dance team relocated to the stands for basketball season

Maleah Evans, Assistant News Editor November 6, 2024

Some Wichita State dancers will be located in the stands for the 2024-2025 basketball season to make room for two new premium seating areas for games.  The premium seats were created to provide more...

(Photo courtesy of Wichita State Athletics)

How men’s basketball’s director of recruiting turned an obsession into a profession

Owen Prothro, Assistant Sports Editor November 6, 2024

While taking classes to pursue a career as a sports agent, Ognjen Stranjina realized it wasn’t what he wanted to do. “You have honest agents,” he said. “But most of (the) agents are not honest...

Graduate student forward Zane Meeks practices defense in a drill on Sept. 17. Meeks transferred to WSU from Arizona State University this year.

Zane Meeks returns to home state for final year of college basketball

Case Brown, Reporter November 5, 2024

After six years away from home — spending time on both the East and West Coasts — graduate student Zane Meeks has finally returned to his native state of Kansas, ready to make his mark at Wichita...

Freshman KP Parr dribbles the ball down the court against Northeastern State. Parr won back-to-back 4A Texas State Championships in high school and is one of two true freshmen on the team.

Two-sport high school star KP Parr looks to translate skills from the track to the court

Mack Smith, Reporter November 5, 2024

At La Vega High School in Waco, Texas, KP Parr was a decorated track athlete. She placed on the podium in the triple jump and the 4x200-meter relay at the 2021 Texas State 4A state championship and also...

(Photo courtesy of Wichita State Athletics)

Men’s basketball tested in road season-opening win

Owen Prothro, Assistant Sports Editor November 4, 2024

During a press conference last Thursday, Wichita State head men’s basketball coach Paul Mills said he wanted to test the team early in its season opener at Western Kentucky University (WKU). A test...

Corey Washington calls for the ball to be passed to him during the first half. Washington, a junior, is in his first season with Wichita State and scored 15 points on Oct. 27.

Men’s basketball transfer Corey Washington plans to make his family proud, at WSU and beyond

Ainsley Smyth, News Editor November 4, 2024

Corey Washington wants to make it to the NBA. If that falls through, he said, “I just want to stay around the game.” The junior forward, who transferred to Wichita State from Saint Peter’s University...

Sophomore Salese Blow takes a fadeaway shot in the first quarter against Oklahoma Christian University. Blow scored eight points on 25% shooting on Nov. 4.

Women’s basketball opens season with unconvincing win against Oklahoma Christian

Jacob Unruh, Sports Editor November 4, 2024

Wichita State women’s basketball beat Division II Oklahoma Christian University (OCU) in Charles Koch Arena on Monday afternoon, but the road bench was filled with more smiles than the home one as...

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