Kansas State University Athletics
N’Guessan’s Hard Summer Work Paying Off
Nov 06, 2024 | Men's Basketball, Sports Extra
By: D. Scott Fritchen
David N'Guessan came back for nights like this.
The eldest statesman on a Kansas State team awash in talented newcomers, N'Guessan poured in 21 points and added 15 rebounds seven months after announcing that he was returning for a fifth year of eligibility, and the Wildcats handled New Orleans in an 89-65 win Tuesday night.
It marked the fourth career double-double for 6-foot-9, 205-pound wing from De Lier, The Netherlands, who shot 10-for-14 from the floor and made the start of his third season with the Wildcats one to remember.
"I just want to thank God," an emotional N'Guessan said. "Without God, I wouldn't have been able to do all this. I just went out with energy and tried to make the right plays for my team. Honestly, I just worked really hard the whole summer. I'm glad to see it pay off."
N'Guessan scored K-State's first seven points and had 11 points and 11 rebounds in the first half. He was joined in double figures by two guards in Max Jones and Brendan Hausen, who were virtually stellar in their official debuts in a Wildcats jersey. Jones scored 19 points and Hausen 17 while the roommates combined for eight of the Wildcats' 13 3-pointers.
K-State led 44-32 at halftime and led by as many as 26 points late in the game to improve to 30-3 in all-time season openers at Bramlage Coliseum.
Illinois transfer wing Coleman Hawkins had five points, nine rebounds, five assists, one steal and one block in a team-high 32 minutes. Hawkins shot 2-of-9 from the floor and 1-of-6 on 3-pointers but showed that all-around versatility that made him so appealing to K-State head coach Jerome Tang and his staff.
"Coleman is one of the few guys whose energy level is not impacted by scoring," Tang said of the Big 12 Preseason co-Newcomer of the Year. "I'm actually trying to force him to take more shots. He's shooting like 57% from 3 in practice. He just doesn't take enough."
The Wildcats located their outside firepower just fine in Jones and Hausen.
Tuesday marked the 121st season of K-State basketball and none has started out quite like this, as the Wildcats brought in one of the top transfer classes in the nation with 11 total newcomers, including eight Division I transfers, a NJCAA All-American and a true freshman.
K-State returned just 13.9% of its scoring last year's team that went 19-15 with a NIT appearance.
K-State rolled with junior guard C.J. Jones (UIC), Hausen (Villanova), Max Jones (Cal State Fullerton), Hawkins (Illinois) and N'Guessan in its starting lineup.
K-State started out just 5-of-23 from the floor and trailed by as many as 10 points twice, and then went on a commanding 29-7 scoring run for a 44-32 lead at the half. Hausen shot 3-for-8 from 3-point range and Jones made all three of his 3-point attempts, punctuating his first-half performance by hitting a 3-pointer, drawing the foul, then rebounding his missed free throw for another basket just before the halftime buzzer.
"It's only the first game so there's more to come," Jones said, "but I just feel like it's a good way to get out there and get rid of the first-game jitters."
There didn't seem to be any nerves from the outset, but Tang wanted more from his squad as it trailed 25-15 after 10 minutes of action.
"They were playing harder than us," Tang said. "The New Orleans kids came here to win."
In the end, K-State played harder and smarter. The Wildcats committed just nine turnovers against New Orleans.
"I don't know the last time we had single-digit turnovers," Tang said with a laugh, as the Wildcats ranked 338th in averaging 14.8 turnovers per game last season. "Our staff did a great job recruiting. We brought in better ball handlers and decision makers."
K-State's lead never dropped below 18 points in the second half. As for teamwork, there was plenty of that across the court. On one sequence in the second half, Jones stole a ball from a New Orleans player, dribbled downcourt, and instead of going up strong for a layup or dunk, he bounced the ball behind his back to an awaiting N'Guessan, who finished with a flush.
"I was running very hard, and I was screaming, 'Max! Max!' I didn't know if he heard me or not," N'Guessan said. "That was a great pass, I'm not going to lie. He passed it and I dunked it, so shout out to Max."
The lead reached 26 points when junior guard Dug McDaniel made a pair of free throws with 5:47 left. McDaniel came off the bench to score six points and added eight assists and two steals in 23 minutes.
The Wildcats had 24 assists on 34 made field goals. They posted their fewest turnovers in a game since they had five against Michigan State in the 2022 NCAA Tournament.
N'Guessan remembers that game fondly. K-State topped the Spartans to advance to the Elite Eight.
The season opener? A step in the right direction as far as N'Guessan is concerned.
"It's a good feeling, but at the same time, I'm always really hard on myself and never really get satisfied too fast," N'Guessan said. "I always want more and want better. Tonight is one thing. I'm glad we got the win, but it's on to the next one now."
David N'Guessan came back for nights like this.
The eldest statesman on a Kansas State team awash in talented newcomers, N'Guessan poured in 21 points and added 15 rebounds seven months after announcing that he was returning for a fifth year of eligibility, and the Wildcats handled New Orleans in an 89-65 win Tuesday night.
It marked the fourth career double-double for 6-foot-9, 205-pound wing from De Lier, The Netherlands, who shot 10-for-14 from the floor and made the start of his third season with the Wildcats one to remember.
"I just want to thank God," an emotional N'Guessan said. "Without God, I wouldn't have been able to do all this. I just went out with energy and tried to make the right plays for my team. Honestly, I just worked really hard the whole summer. I'm glad to see it pay off."
N'Guessan scored K-State's first seven points and had 11 points and 11 rebounds in the first half. He was joined in double figures by two guards in Max Jones and Brendan Hausen, who were virtually stellar in their official debuts in a Wildcats jersey. Jones scored 19 points and Hausen 17 while the roommates combined for eight of the Wildcats' 13 3-pointers.
K-State led 44-32 at halftime and led by as many as 26 points late in the game to improve to 30-3 in all-time season openers at Bramlage Coliseum.
Illinois transfer wing Coleman Hawkins had five points, nine rebounds, five assists, one steal and one block in a team-high 32 minutes. Hawkins shot 2-of-9 from the floor and 1-of-6 on 3-pointers but showed that all-around versatility that made him so appealing to K-State head coach Jerome Tang and his staff.
"Coleman is one of the few guys whose energy level is not impacted by scoring," Tang said of the Big 12 Preseason co-Newcomer of the Year. "I'm actually trying to force him to take more shots. He's shooting like 57% from 3 in practice. He just doesn't take enough."
The Wildcats located their outside firepower just fine in Jones and Hausen.
Tuesday marked the 121st season of K-State basketball and none has started out quite like this, as the Wildcats brought in one of the top transfer classes in the nation with 11 total newcomers, including eight Division I transfers, a NJCAA All-American and a true freshman.
K-State returned just 13.9% of its scoring last year's team that went 19-15 with a NIT appearance.
K-State rolled with junior guard C.J. Jones (UIC), Hausen (Villanova), Max Jones (Cal State Fullerton), Hawkins (Illinois) and N'Guessan in its starting lineup.
K-State started out just 5-of-23 from the floor and trailed by as many as 10 points twice, and then went on a commanding 29-7 scoring run for a 44-32 lead at the half. Hausen shot 3-for-8 from 3-point range and Jones made all three of his 3-point attempts, punctuating his first-half performance by hitting a 3-pointer, drawing the foul, then rebounding his missed free throw for another basket just before the halftime buzzer.
"It's only the first game so there's more to come," Jones said, "but I just feel like it's a good way to get out there and get rid of the first-game jitters."
There didn't seem to be any nerves from the outset, but Tang wanted more from his squad as it trailed 25-15 after 10 minutes of action.
"They were playing harder than us," Tang said. "The New Orleans kids came here to win."
In the end, K-State played harder and smarter. The Wildcats committed just nine turnovers against New Orleans.
"I don't know the last time we had single-digit turnovers," Tang said with a laugh, as the Wildcats ranked 338th in averaging 14.8 turnovers per game last season. "Our staff did a great job recruiting. We brought in better ball handlers and decision makers."
K-State's lead never dropped below 18 points in the second half. As for teamwork, there was plenty of that across the court. On one sequence in the second half, Jones stole a ball from a New Orleans player, dribbled downcourt, and instead of going up strong for a layup or dunk, he bounced the ball behind his back to an awaiting N'Guessan, who finished with a flush.
"I was running very hard, and I was screaming, 'Max! Max!' I didn't know if he heard me or not," N'Guessan said. "That was a great pass, I'm not going to lie. He passed it and I dunked it, so shout out to Max."
The lead reached 26 points when junior guard Dug McDaniel made a pair of free throws with 5:47 left. McDaniel came off the bench to score six points and added eight assists and two steals in 23 minutes.
The Wildcats had 24 assists on 34 made field goals. They posted their fewest turnovers in a game since they had five against Michigan State in the 2022 NCAA Tournament.
N'Guessan remembers that game fondly. K-State topped the Spartans to advance to the Elite Eight.
The season opener? A step in the right direction as far as N'Guessan is concerned.
"It's a good feeling, but at the same time, I'm always really hard on myself and never really get satisfied too fast," N'Guessan said. "I always want more and want better. Tonight is one thing. I'm glad we got the win, but it's on to the next one now."
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