Brace yourself—Wichita State is stirring up excitement heading into the new basketball season, and senior guard Kenyon Giles is at the heart of it. Named to the American Preseason All-Conference First Team by the league’s coaches, Giles is proving to be a player everyone’s watching closely. But here's where it gets controversial: despite his clear individual talent, Wichita State was only picked to finish fifth in the preseason coaches’ poll, leaving fans wondering if the team’s potential is truly being recognized.
Kenyon Giles, originally from Chesapeake, Virginia, transferred from UNC Greensboro, where he made a significant impact last season by averaging over 15 points per game while hitting 40 percent of his shots from beyond the arc. This impressive performance has propelled him to join an elite group at Wichita State; he is now only the fourth player from the program to receive American Preseason All-Conference accolades, and the first since Tyson Etienne in 2021. Of those four, Giles, Etienne, and Landry Shamet were distinguished enough to make the first team, while Markis McDuffie was honored with a second team selection back in 2018.
Giles shares the prestigious preseason first team spotlight with notable players like Jordan Riley from East Carolina, Aaron Bradshaw and Dug McDaniel from Memphis, and Rowan Brumbaugh from Tulane, who stands out as the preseason favorite for Player of the Year. The competition for top honors is fierce, and Giles’ inclusion alongside these talented athletes speaks volumes about his skill and expected impact.
When it comes to the upcoming season's outlook, Wichita State ranks fifth in the American Preseason Coaches’ Poll. Memphis is the favorite to repeat as the regular season champion, followed closely by South Florida, Tulane, and UAB, who all edge out the Shockers in the rankings. This positioning raises questions: can Wichita State, with stars like Giles, defy expectations and climb the ranks? Or is the prediction reflecting a deeper issue within the team?
Adding more buzz, Wichita State will host Drake for a charity scrimmage at Charles Koch Arena on Saturday, October 11, at 1 p.m. This event is notable because NCAA rule changes now permit Division I programs to hold preseason charity scrimmages—a first for the league. The Shockers are embracing this chance to give back to the Wichita community, with ticket sales priced at $20. Proceeds will benefit Cheese Johnson’s uJump Junior Mentoring Program and the Wichita Children’s Home, highlighting the team’s commitment off the court. Plus, youth 18 and under, as well as all Wichita State students and faculty, can attend for free, making the event an inclusive community occasion. Keep in mind, seating is general admission and the scrimmage isn't part of the regular season ticket package.
The official start of the Shockers' season is set for Tuesday, November 4, when they face UNC Asheville. This game will truly test whether Wichita State can live up to or surpass the modest predicted fifth-place finish.
Here’s a detailed look at the 2025-26 American Men’s Basketball Preseason Coaches Poll, showing the points and first-place votes received:
- Memphis (11 first-place votes): 143 points
- South Florida (2): 128 points
- Tulane: 122 points
- UAB: 98 points
- Wichita State: 93 points
- Florida Atlantic: 80 points
- North Texas: 77 points
- Tulsa: 74 points
- Temple: 65 points
- East Carolina: 53 points
- UTSA: 32 points
- Rice: 27 points
- Charlotte: 22 points
Rowan Brumbaugh from Tulane, a redshirt junior guard, stands as the unanimous preseason pick for Player of the Year, reflecting widespread respect for his talent this season. Meanwhile, Josiah Parker of Florida Atlantic is expected to make a splash as the Preseason Freshman of the Year.
The American Preseason All-Conference First Team includes:
- Jordan Riley, Junior Guard, East Carolina
- Aaron Bradshaw, Junior Forward, Memphis
- Dug McDaniel, Senior Guard, Memphis
- Rowan Brumbaugh, Redshirt Junior Guard, Tulane (unanimous selection)
- Kenyon Giles, Senior Guard, Wichita State
On the Second Team, talented players such as Daimion Collins and Izaiyah Nelson from South Florida, Vasean Allette from UTSA, Asher Woods from Tulane, and David Green from Tulsa were recognized for their expected contributions.
And this is the part most people miss: with individual stars and community engagement, Wichita State’s season holds much promise—yet the team’s middle-tier preseason ranking could spark debate. Are the Shockers being underestimated, or is there a gap between individual accolades and overall team strength? What do you think—are the Shockers poised to exceed expectations, or is this the realistic forecast? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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