Letting His Personality Shine Through

By: D. Scott Fritchen

He is the eldest statesman on a Kansas State men's basketball team awash in talented newcomers and buzzing with anticipation for the fast-approaching 2024-25 season, but senior wing David N'Guessan doesn't fancy himself as a screamer or a yeller when it comes to being a leader.

Last season, he enjoyed the best campaign of his career and filled the role as a sixth-man nicely for the Wildcats. After two official practices, it appeared that his role for this new squad was still undecided.

But one thing appears certain: N'Guessan, who transferred to K-State from Virginia Tech after two seasons, is that steady force for a Wildcats' team that looks to go places this season.

"Being a leader, I lead by example, but being my third year here, and my fifth year in college, I've been through it," he said. "I've seen what it's looked like when we went to the Elite Eight compared to last year when we went to the NIT. I've seen the good and the bad. I've tried to set the good example for the rest of the guys."

N'Guessan, a 6-foot-9, 205-pound wing from De Lier, The Netherlands, announced on social media on April 30 that he would use his extra season of eligibility and return to K-State.

As for why N'Guessan chose to return to K-State?

"The coaching staff," he said. "Obviously, with me graduating, I had the chance to go somewhere else and explore a little bit, but I don't feel that there'd be a better place out there for me. I feel like the coaches have my back. I've seen that the past two years. They go all out. That makes it easy for you to do it for them on the floor."

Third-year head coach Jerome Tang is grateful for N'Guessan's return. N'Guessan is joined by sophomores Taj Manning and Macaleab Rich as the returning players from a K-State team that advanced to the NIT last season.

The Wildcats welcome in 11 newcomers.

"David has been incredible," Tang said. "His confidence level is at an all-time high, and you can just see how he carries himself and how he practices. His personality has really blossomed. That definitely really helps."

He has seen action in 120 games in his college career, including 39 starts, helping the Hokies and Wildcats to 83 wins and four postseason appearances (3 NCAA, 1 NIT).

The Dutch national is coming off a career season in 2023-24, posting career-highs for scoring (7.8), total points (265), double-digit scoring games (14), field goals made (111) and attempted (190), double-doubles (three), rebounding (6.8), total rebounds (230), assists (31), blocks (26), steals (24) and total minutes (935).

N'Guessan's 14 double-digit scoring games were more than his previous three seasons combined (11), while he recorded three double-doubles. He had an 11-point, 16-rebound performance against No. 6 Iowa State in the home finale.

He continues to work on his game each day.

"It's a little bit of everything," he said. "But mainly I focus on catching and shooting and my free throws. Obviously, last year I wasn't shooting free throws great, so I've been shooting a ton of those. My catch and shoot shot has really gotten better for sure."

He looks forward to playing with guys such as Coleman Hawkins and Dug McDaniel and the other newcomers that make up one of the top transfer classes in the country.

"We have a little bit of everything," N'Guessan said. "We can shoot, we've got length, we've got speed, athleticism, good point guards that can handle the ball. We're really versatile. That's what I'm really liking."

McDaniel likes the leadership that N'Guessan provides to the team.

"He provides great leadership," McDaniel said. "He's going to lead you in the right direction, but you still have to learn yourself. He gives us those veteran tips and lets us know what the coaches are looking for. It's up to us if we want to listen or not. We do a great job listening to him.

"He has a strong voice and knows what he's staying. It's easy to listen to someone who knows what he's talking about."

N'Guessan is the wise one. The eldest statesman.

And he's ready for more.

"It's a lot of fun just to get back," he said. "My role is just to get back to the tournament. I feel like we can do it. We have the right guys. It's my last year, so I'm just trying to enjoy every single thing. We do things, and I'm thinking, 'Man, this time next year, I won't be in college anymore.'

"I don't take it for granted. I give it my all every day."

Kansas State University Athletics

Players Mentioned

Coleman Hawkins

Taj Manning

Dug McDaniel

David N'Guessan

Macaleab Rich

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