Kansas State University Athletics
‘I Love to Win’
May 23, 2024 | Men's Basketball, Sports Extra
By: D. Scott Fritchen
If there was a crowning moment in a line of crowning moments for Achor Achor, it arrived on March 22. That's when 13th-seeded Samford nearly erased a 22-point second-half deficit before falling to No. 4 seed Kansas, 93-89, in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. Achor led the Bulldogs' charge with a 23-point, eight-rebound effort that placed him firmly on the map of college basketball while helping guide his squad to a 29-6 record, setting a school record for wins in a season.
The Most Outstanding Player of the Southern Conference Championship and first-team all-conference selection, Achor averaged 16.1 points and led the Bulldogs in 10 categories, including both scoring and rebounding, and had 12 20-point games, including a career-high 35 points at Western Carolina on January 16. He also added three double-doubles, including a 28-point, 14-rebound effort in a semifinal win over Furman in the Southern Conference Championship.
But it's the game, and the buzz, of the NCAA Tournament experience against Kansas that lingers more than two months later for Achor, who committed last Thursday to play his final season at Kansas State.
"I remember everything from that NCAA (Tournament) game," Achor says. "That game was fun. It was a fun moment. I'll never forget that game. Obviously, I had a good game, but the whole moment was fun. Growing up, I never really watched March Madness. That was never one of my dreams. So that was a cool moment, for sure. In high school, no, I didn't watch it."
Achor, a 6-foot-9, 227-pound wing from Melbourne, Australia, grew up admiring professional soccer teams and soccer players. It wasn't until he was 14 years old that he gave basketball a try. What a journey it's been.
"I was playing good basketball in Australia," he says. "My coach said I could go (to America) and I made the most of my opportunity."
Achor starred at Greenforest McCalep (Ga.) Academy, the high school alma mater of former K-State player Abayomi Iyiola. He started his college career with Nae'Qwan Tomlin at NJCAA powerhouse Chipola College and helped the Indians to a pair of NJCAA Final Four appearances while earning second-team All-Panhandle Conference honors. He moved to Samford and helped the Bulldogs to tie for the Southern Conference regular-season title as a junior, and then led them to the Southern Conference Championship title and the NCAA Tournament as a senior last season.
He plans to bring that winning pedigree to the Wildcats, who come off a 19-15 season and an appearance in the NIT one year after advancing to the Elite Eight.
"I love to win," he says. "Every single year we've won. Next year, I don't plan to do anything but win, make the Big 12 Championship and make another run like they did two years ago."
These days, Achor is in the gym twice a day, getting up shots, biding his time before he arrives in Manhattan and formally meets his new K-State teammates. There's no vacation, there's no going back to Australia. He hasn't been back in a while.
"I moved out here in 2017 and I've only been home one time — 2018," he says. "I've just been out here for six years figuring it out from high school to juco to Samford to now 'playing with the best.' It's going to be a good year."
Last season, Achor averaged 16.1 points on 58.6% shooting, including 43.5% (27-of-62) from 3-point range, to go along with 6.1 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.8 blocks and 0.8 steals in 22.6 minutes per game. He ranked among the top-20 in five categories in the Southern Conference, including third in field goal percentage and blocks, seventh in scoring, 12th in rebounding and 20th in free-throw percentage.
"I'm versatile, I'm high energy, I have a motor and I can play inside and outside," he says. "I can shoot, and I can defend. It's a great feeling. I put in a lot of hard work. To be in this situation, to see myself, it's crazy, you know? I'm glad God put me into this position."
He first remembers the clapping. That's what he heard as he entered the Ice Family Basketball Center last Wednesday night. K-State head coach Jerome Tang and the coaching staff met him with open arms. Thursday morning, they went to breakfast, drove through campus, went into the gym, and took pictures of Achor in a K-State uniform.
"Then we watched video, and they showed me how I fit into their system," he says. "We ate lunch and then I signed my papers. I signed the papers, and everything was great."
As for what exactly attracted Achor to the Wildcats?
"I felt like I connected with the coaching staff," he says. "I really liked everybody. It was my type of energy. I trusted Coach Tang. A big thing is playing for a coach I can trust. The style that K-State plays fits me. I can see myself plugging into their system — very fast, free-flowing with a lot of shots being made and with a high-tempo defense. I feel like Coach Tang will let me display my game."
When did Achor decide to commit?
"We had breakfast and that's all I needed," he says. "We had a really good conversation. At that point, I knew I was going to commit. I'm really good at observing people. My gut, I got nothing but good, positive vibes from Coach Tang. I was like, 'Yeah, I trust this coach.'"
Achor plans to keep the good vibes going next season. After leading Samford on the cusp of an upset over Kansas in the NCAA Tournament, Achor will have a chance to face the Jayhawks again — this time as a Wildcat.
"That'll be fun," he says. "I'm excited to play in the Big 12. I'm just excited to play games again."
If there was a crowning moment in a line of crowning moments for Achor Achor, it arrived on March 22. That's when 13th-seeded Samford nearly erased a 22-point second-half deficit before falling to No. 4 seed Kansas, 93-89, in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. Achor led the Bulldogs' charge with a 23-point, eight-rebound effort that placed him firmly on the map of college basketball while helping guide his squad to a 29-6 record, setting a school record for wins in a season.
The Most Outstanding Player of the Southern Conference Championship and first-team all-conference selection, Achor averaged 16.1 points and led the Bulldogs in 10 categories, including both scoring and rebounding, and had 12 20-point games, including a career-high 35 points at Western Carolina on January 16. He also added three double-doubles, including a 28-point, 14-rebound effort in a semifinal win over Furman in the Southern Conference Championship.
But it's the game, and the buzz, of the NCAA Tournament experience against Kansas that lingers more than two months later for Achor, who committed last Thursday to play his final season at Kansas State.
"I remember everything from that NCAA (Tournament) game," Achor says. "That game was fun. It was a fun moment. I'll never forget that game. Obviously, I had a good game, but the whole moment was fun. Growing up, I never really watched March Madness. That was never one of my dreams. So that was a cool moment, for sure. In high school, no, I didn't watch it."
Achor, a 6-foot-9, 227-pound wing from Melbourne, Australia, grew up admiring professional soccer teams and soccer players. It wasn't until he was 14 years old that he gave basketball a try. What a journey it's been.
"I was playing good basketball in Australia," he says. "My coach said I could go (to America) and I made the most of my opportunity."
Achor starred at Greenforest McCalep (Ga.) Academy, the high school alma mater of former K-State player Abayomi Iyiola. He started his college career with Nae'Qwan Tomlin at NJCAA powerhouse Chipola College and helped the Indians to a pair of NJCAA Final Four appearances while earning second-team All-Panhandle Conference honors. He moved to Samford and helped the Bulldogs to tie for the Southern Conference regular-season title as a junior, and then led them to the Southern Conference Championship title and the NCAA Tournament as a senior last season.
He plans to bring that winning pedigree to the Wildcats, who come off a 19-15 season and an appearance in the NIT one year after advancing to the Elite Eight.
"I love to win," he says. "Every single year we've won. Next year, I don't plan to do anything but win, make the Big 12 Championship and make another run like they did two years ago."
These days, Achor is in the gym twice a day, getting up shots, biding his time before he arrives in Manhattan and formally meets his new K-State teammates. There's no vacation, there's no going back to Australia. He hasn't been back in a while.
"I moved out here in 2017 and I've only been home one time — 2018," he says. "I've just been out here for six years figuring it out from high school to juco to Samford to now 'playing with the best.' It's going to be a good year."
Last season, Achor averaged 16.1 points on 58.6% shooting, including 43.5% (27-of-62) from 3-point range, to go along with 6.1 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.8 blocks and 0.8 steals in 22.6 minutes per game. He ranked among the top-20 in five categories in the Southern Conference, including third in field goal percentage and blocks, seventh in scoring, 12th in rebounding and 20th in free-throw percentage.
"I'm versatile, I'm high energy, I have a motor and I can play inside and outside," he says. "I can shoot, and I can defend. It's a great feeling. I put in a lot of hard work. To be in this situation, to see myself, it's crazy, you know? I'm glad God put me into this position."
He first remembers the clapping. That's what he heard as he entered the Ice Family Basketball Center last Wednesday night. K-State head coach Jerome Tang and the coaching staff met him with open arms. Thursday morning, they went to breakfast, drove through campus, went into the gym, and took pictures of Achor in a K-State uniform.
"Then we watched video, and they showed me how I fit into their system," he says. "We ate lunch and then I signed my papers. I signed the papers, and everything was great."
As for what exactly attracted Achor to the Wildcats?
"I felt like I connected with the coaching staff," he says. "I really liked everybody. It was my type of energy. I trusted Coach Tang. A big thing is playing for a coach I can trust. The style that K-State plays fits me. I can see myself plugging into their system — very fast, free-flowing with a lot of shots being made and with a high-tempo defense. I feel like Coach Tang will let me display my game."
When did Achor decide to commit?
"We had breakfast and that's all I needed," he says. "We had a really good conversation. At that point, I knew I was going to commit. I'm really good at observing people. My gut, I got nothing but good, positive vibes from Coach Tang. I was like, 'Yeah, I trust this coach.'"
Achor plans to keep the good vibes going next season. After leading Samford on the cusp of an upset over Kansas in the NCAA Tournament, Achor will have a chance to face the Jayhawks again — this time as a Wildcat.
"That'll be fun," he says. "I'm excited to play in the Big 12. I'm just excited to play games again."
Players Mentioned
C
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's BasketballK-State Football | Chris Klieman Press Conference - Sept. 8, 2025
Monday, September 08
K-State Football | Pregame Hype vs Army
Friday, September 05
K-State Men's Basketball | Hang With Tang On The Go (Season 4, Episode 1)
Friday, September 05
K-State Football | Matt Wells Press Conference Sept. 4, 2025
Thursday, September 04