The Washburn men’s basketball team has been an elite team for quite a few years, most notably the last five years under coach Brett Ballard. Ballard has had success on and off the court with the student-athletes that have come through the program.. He also had the honor of working for Kansas Jayhawks Hall of Fame coach, Bill Self. Ballard uses the wise coaching and mentoring of Self to better his team as players and as young men in general.

“I love competing, so I love seeing our team hookup and compete against other teams,” said Ballard. “I love seeing young people grow and being a part of their development, not only as basketball players, but as young men. It’s really fun to be a part of this time in their life and help them be prepared for life after basketball.”

This off-season has been very beneficial for the men’s basketball team. They have some big-time leadership coming back and are excited to see how they will lead the younger players.

Two of those leadership positions are held by senior Tyler Geiman and junior Jalen Lewis. Geiman had a terrific season last year,recieving first team all-MIAA honors, and returns for a fifth season. Lewis has been a big part of the Ichabods’ backcourt since he has been at Washburn and was named an all-conference honorable mention in the 2020-21 season.

The team also had a very nice recruiting season where they pulled in two freshmen and two transfers. The two freshmen are Jaden Monday from Van Horn High School and Andrew Orr from Blue Valley North in Overland Park, KS. The two transfers are Kevaughn Ellis from Coffeyville Community College, where he won a national championship, and Jeremy Harrell from McNeese State, who is a 6’8 forward and is very versatile with his game.

As a team, they excel by creating a competitive atmosphere each day and by showing a collective drive and ambition to get better. With such a close group of guys who have had struggles and battles together, Washburn is going to have a family-like aspect when they play this season.

“I think they are a humble group of guys, but I think they’re confident in what we can accomplish together,” said Ballard.

The Washburn men’s basketball season opener is Friday, Nov. 12. Make sure to show up to the game and bring a couple of friends. ‘SKO BODS!

Edited by: Madison Dean, Kyle Manthe and Simran Shrestha