Quincy Ballard, the rising 7-foot star of Wichita State men’s basketball, is returning to the team after a breakout season. During the introduction of the new team at Koch Arena this summer, Ballard received the loudest cheers, having turned down six-figure NIL offers and the transfer portal to finish his career at WSU. Despite the excitement, Ballard remains grounded, focusing on daily improvement rather than the hype.
His teammates are eager to play alongside him, recognizing the opportunities his presence creates on the court. New point guard Justin Hill is thrilled about the prospect of working with a lob threat like Ballard, while sharpshooter A.J. McGinnis anticipates open shots as defenses focus on stopping the big man.
Last season, Ballard excelled as a vertical threat in the pick-and-roll game, setting a school record for dunks and leading the team in field-goal percentage. This offseason, WSU’s coaching staff is looking for him to improve his offensive rebounding and post-up game, with head coach Paul Mills emphasizing the need to maximize Ballard’s shot-making ability.
While Ballard’s role as a lob threat and rim protector is well-established, the coaching staff aims to enhance his offensive impact by increasing his post touches and refining his skills under the guidance of assistant coach Quincy Acy. Mills is confident that Ballard will be a key player for Wichita State, both defensively and offensively, in the upcoming season.
