Rapid Recap: Kansas State head coach Jerome Tang at Big 12 Media Days
KANSAS STATE RETURNERS INVALUABLE TO PROGRAM
It is well known that the only returners for Kansas State basketball are Markquis Nowell and Ismael Massoud. Head coach Jerome Tang mentioned how invaluable they’ve been to the K-State program right from the jump.
They were vocal and helped recruit the guys on the roster, especially when undecided transfers were visiting Manhattan.
Nowell is a selfless point guard who really wanted to get as many talented players on the team as possible, even if they played his same position. Massoud is another welcoming personality that is easy to get along with and was alluring to transfers.
Both being transfers to Kansas State themselves, they also have that experience to pull from, too.
TANG’S STANDARDS
Addicted to basketball, toughness and a winning culture were the main points the K-State head coach was looking for when trying to build the roster from the ground up. His new additions possess eight state championships. Win every day is their mantra.
Experience was also key when finding players, while also keeping in mind that they had to balance the roster with the right amount of under and upperclassmen with the future in mind.
KEYONTAE JOHNSON “VERY HEALTHY” FOR K-STATE
Tang chose not to discuss incoming Florida transfer Keyontae Johnson’s medical issues that he dealt with in the past. Remember, Johnson had a life-threatening collapse on the court two years ago due to myocarditis.
The Kansas State basketball boss did share that Johnson is “very healthy” in the present. He hasn’t shown any signs of that condition he dealt with a few years ago, and it hasn’t prevented him from doing anything on the basketball court in Manhattan.
He’s looked good in practice, and Johnson has even flashed some of his elite talent in front of his teammates and coaches.
FRESHMAN PERFORMING
Tang admitted that the freshmen probably won’t see much time on the floor this season, but Taj Manning and Dorian Finister have been exactly what he was hoping for when they committed to the Wildcats.
Manning was one of the first players Tang mentioned in a press conference during Summer workouts. His skill-set stood out and he’s been a plus in pushing older guys in practice. That doesn’t mean he will see a lot of time this season, but the future is very bright for him.
Finister hasn’t been talked about as much, but his growth in the weight room has been showcased on social media and the K-State head coach lumped him in with Manning as being a positive on the team for the future.
BIG 12 HOOPS IS ELITE
Tang has been in the conference for 19 years and he made sure to note that the last two national champions have come from the Big 12 conference in Baylor and Kansas. He knows how important that is to the league’s image.
The conference has been one of the best in college basketball for several years now, and that has been proven when it counts the most. It doesn’t hurt that Tang was actually a part of one of those national championships as an associate head coach in Waco.
LOVE FOR THE KANSAS STATE STUDENTS
Students were mentioned first when Tang was asked what about the fan base and university has impressed him the most since arriving at Kansas State. His presence on campus in embracing that section of the school has been an integral part of his start in Manhattan.
The two sides have embraced one another on a personal level.
Tang has been delighted to be a part of a passionate and supportive group and was sure to show love for how philanthropic everyone has been at K-State. There’s always areas that could use help, financially. He is thoroughly impressed how selfless the students have been in his brief time at Kansas State.
