Kansas State University Athletics
TBT The Next Step in McGuirl’s Basketball Journey
Jul 25, 2022 | Men's Basketball, Sports Extra
By: D. Scott Fritchen
Former Kansas State standout and fan favorite Mike McGuirl hoped to contribute as a member of the Purple & Black team in The Basketball Tournament. He quickly evolved into one of the team's most active players.
McGuirl, who graduated from K-State this past season, was a late addition to the squad. He scored 12 points on 4 of 8 shooting from the floor, including 3 of 6 shooting on 3-pointers, in 24 minutes during a 75-73 win over Lone Star Legends on Friday at Charles Koch Arena in Wichita, Kansas.
He followed his impressive initial performance by pouring in a team high-tying 18 points on 6-of-12 shooting including 3 of 7 shooting from behind the arc, to go along with seven assists in 32 minutes in a tough 87-62 loss to Bleed Green on Saturday.
McGuirl spoke with D. Scott Fritchen of K-State Sports Extra about life after K-State, professional basketball, and his experience playing for Purple & Black alongside K-State legends such as Jacob Pullen, Bill Walker and Thomas Gipson:
D. SCOTT FRITCHEN: Can you update K-State fans on your life since the end of your basketball career?
MIKE MCGUIRL: After last season ended, I stayed in Manhattan and my lease isn't up until July 31, so I've been in Manhattan working out and traveling back-and-forth in Lawrence because my trainer is out there, too. I've been staying in shape. I've done a lot of lifting and running and playing basketball, man. It's tough now because we used to work so hard at K-State practices, so it's been different. I have to find creative ways to keep myself in shape, so that's what I've been doing.
FRITCHEN: What's the next step for you?
MCGUIRL: Playing pro basketball. Hopefully this experience helps out with some exposure and in boosting my stock, but I just want to keep playing basketball. I have an agent out of the Washington, D.C., area, and he's been doing a great job for me and marketing me, and I have teams from different countries reaching out. There's nothing in stone yet. Hopefully this experience makes people want me more. We'll see. At the end of the day, this is just basketball. I know I'm going to play professional basketball after this. I have to thank God for keeping me healthy and getting me to this point.
FRITCHEN: How much do you miss playing for a team?
MCGUIRL: A lot. A lot. That's been the toughest part of this transition. I've still been around K-State and the basketball program is in great hands. I've gotten to watch some practices and play with them a little bit. I miss being on a team, though. This K-State team has a lot of length and obviously they have Marquis Nowell running the show, and new guys, and athletes, shooting the ball, and there's a new energy and vibe to them. That's the biggest thing I see. It's about playing the right way, still making the shots, and playing good defense.
FRITCHEN: You've always played the right way and I know it's something you've prided yourself on. Take us through your time in the K-State basketball program and how you were able to do things the right way and how important that is going forward?
MCGUIRL: I have to credit that to Coach Bruce Weber. That was always his message — treat people the right way, act the right way, and play the right way. That's something I got from him and that's something that carries on and off the court, and it's something that'll stay with me the rest of my life. Regardless of the environment, I'm trying to positively impact the people I run across every day. I'm excited to go back home to Connecticut because I'm going to start by training my high school coaches' sons, because I want to see them grow. I'm still trying to figure out ways I can help and give back. That's a constant journey.
FRITCHEN: Can you walk us through the process of joining the Purple & Black roster?
MCGUIRL: Jordan Henriquez shot me a text about four weeks ago and asked me if I wanted to be on the team. I hadn't played basketball on a team in a while, really, so it was an easy decision. I just wanted to hoop. These players around me were great. These guys grew to be like my big brothers, and I'd only been around them for a few days. They're K-State legends. This has been an amazing experience. Bill Walker definitely took me under his wing. He told great stories and he's funny and he's really respectful. Jacob Pullen, obviously, he can just turn it on at any moment, and watching him, I was just in amazement with how easy it comes to him. He has helped me out. Terrence Joyner was also on our team. He didn't go to K-State, he went to Mississippi Valley State, but he was very vocal with me. He helped me out with keeping me aggressive and is trying to get me to talk more.
I knew about Pullen and Bill Walker when they were at K-State. I definitely knew about Walker because he played for the Boston Celtics a little bit and that's my area. It's pretty amazing to have met him. They're normal dudes at the end of the day.
FRITCHEN: How did it feel to play in this environment?
MCGUIRL: It was a great experience and a great vibe. I was super excited for the K-State fans. They were great all week showing support and they were great my whole time at K-State. It was great to be able to contribute to the team. I think we put on a show for the fans.
Former Kansas State standout and fan favorite Mike McGuirl hoped to contribute as a member of the Purple & Black team in The Basketball Tournament. He quickly evolved into one of the team's most active players.
McGuirl, who graduated from K-State this past season, was a late addition to the squad. He scored 12 points on 4 of 8 shooting from the floor, including 3 of 6 shooting on 3-pointers, in 24 minutes during a 75-73 win over Lone Star Legends on Friday at Charles Koch Arena in Wichita, Kansas.
He followed his impressive initial performance by pouring in a team high-tying 18 points on 6-of-12 shooting including 3 of 7 shooting from behind the arc, to go along with seven assists in 32 minutes in a tough 87-62 loss to Bleed Green on Saturday.
McGuirl spoke with D. Scott Fritchen of K-State Sports Extra about life after K-State, professional basketball, and his experience playing for Purple & Black alongside K-State legends such as Jacob Pullen, Bill Walker and Thomas Gipson:
D. SCOTT FRITCHEN: Can you update K-State fans on your life since the end of your basketball career?
MIKE MCGUIRL: After last season ended, I stayed in Manhattan and my lease isn't up until July 31, so I've been in Manhattan working out and traveling back-and-forth in Lawrence because my trainer is out there, too. I've been staying in shape. I've done a lot of lifting and running and playing basketball, man. It's tough now because we used to work so hard at K-State practices, so it's been different. I have to find creative ways to keep myself in shape, so that's what I've been doing.
FRITCHEN: What's the next step for you?
MCGUIRL: Playing pro basketball. Hopefully this experience helps out with some exposure and in boosting my stock, but I just want to keep playing basketball. I have an agent out of the Washington, D.C., area, and he's been doing a great job for me and marketing me, and I have teams from different countries reaching out. There's nothing in stone yet. Hopefully this experience makes people want me more. We'll see. At the end of the day, this is just basketball. I know I'm going to play professional basketball after this. I have to thank God for keeping me healthy and getting me to this point.
FRITCHEN: How much do you miss playing for a team?
MCGUIRL: A lot. A lot. That's been the toughest part of this transition. I've still been around K-State and the basketball program is in great hands. I've gotten to watch some practices and play with them a little bit. I miss being on a team, though. This K-State team has a lot of length and obviously they have Marquis Nowell running the show, and new guys, and athletes, shooting the ball, and there's a new energy and vibe to them. That's the biggest thing I see. It's about playing the right way, still making the shots, and playing good defense.
FRITCHEN: You've always played the right way and I know it's something you've prided yourself on. Take us through your time in the K-State basketball program and how you were able to do things the right way and how important that is going forward?
MCGUIRL: I have to credit that to Coach Bruce Weber. That was always his message — treat people the right way, act the right way, and play the right way. That's something I got from him and that's something that carries on and off the court, and it's something that'll stay with me the rest of my life. Regardless of the environment, I'm trying to positively impact the people I run across every day. I'm excited to go back home to Connecticut because I'm going to start by training my high school coaches' sons, because I want to see them grow. I'm still trying to figure out ways I can help and give back. That's a constant journey.
FRITCHEN: Can you walk us through the process of joining the Purple & Black roster?
MCGUIRL: Jordan Henriquez shot me a text about four weeks ago and asked me if I wanted to be on the team. I hadn't played basketball on a team in a while, really, so it was an easy decision. I just wanted to hoop. These players around me were great. These guys grew to be like my big brothers, and I'd only been around them for a few days. They're K-State legends. This has been an amazing experience. Bill Walker definitely took me under his wing. He told great stories and he's funny and he's really respectful. Jacob Pullen, obviously, he can just turn it on at any moment, and watching him, I was just in amazement with how easy it comes to him. He has helped me out. Terrence Joyner was also on our team. He didn't go to K-State, he went to Mississippi Valley State, but he was very vocal with me. He helped me out with keeping me aggressive and is trying to get me to talk more.
I knew about Pullen and Bill Walker when they were at K-State. I definitely knew about Walker because he played for the Boston Celtics a little bit and that's my area. It's pretty amazing to have met him. They're normal dudes at the end of the day.
FRITCHEN: How did it feel to play in this environment?
MCGUIRL: It was a great experience and a great vibe. I was super excited for the K-State fans. They were great all week showing support and they were great my whole time at K-State. It was great to be able to contribute to the team. I think we put on a show for the fans.
Players Mentioned
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