Eager to Make an Impact
Jul 03, 2026 | Men's Basketball, Sports Extra
By: D. Scott Fritchen
For four weeks, it's been a constant grind, a simple schedule, an ease-in approach with an hour of weights and a 50-minute practice at Ice Family Basketball Center. The Kansas State men's basketball team, compiled of players from across the country but shooting for the same goal, eats breakfast together, competes hard on the court and gels off the court, consumed in a world of their own — a world that at the end of the day typically includes video games and a couch.
"Practice has been going really well, and is coming along," says Dez Lindsay, a 6-foot-6, 215-pound senior forward who arrived four weeks ago from Oregon. "It's a structured practice where we focus on offense, with one-on-one drills, and getting to know our roles right now. I'm an all-around type of guy. I like playing the wing position the best. I rebound, defend and score. I'm good on defense and can be the guy to get stops. I'm a team guy and like to pass the ball and get my teammates involved.
"We all get along really well and want to win a bunch of games for Coach Casey Alexander. We're going to score a lot of points."
Lindsay has three roommates. JT Rock is a 7-foot-1 junior center from New Mexico, Isaiah Abraham is a 6-foot-7 forward from Georgetown, and 6-foot-6 sophomore guard Andrej Kostic of Serbia is the lone holdover from last year's K-State squad.
Each K-State player has something to prove. The 23-year-old Lindsay has suffered multiple left shoulder dislocations from playing high school quarterback back home in Louisville, Kentucky, actually redshirted his initial season at Oregon two years ago, and last season averaged 5.1 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.5 assists for the Ducks.
He's eager to make a bigger impact in his final year of eligibility.
"It's been a rocky college career so far," Lindsay says. "Coming from juco and the injury at Oregon when my left shoulder dislocated again, which caused me to redshirt. I never got surgery to repair the shoulder when I injured it in high school. I redshirted and then I didn't have a good season last season."
His history with injuries hasn't dampened the physical and mental toughness that he has acquired over the course of a college career that began in 2022-23 at Florida SouthWestern Community College and continued in 2024-25 at Oregon. When healthy, Lindsay can put on a show — which is precisely what Alexander and his K-State coaching staff saw in Lindsay's highlight reel that prompted them to contact the prospective talent two weeks into the transfer portal.
"(Lindsay) will be the best athlete on the team," Alexander said. "What I love about him is he's a really mature kid, tough, blue-collar, really a team guy. When we spent time with him in Manhattan for a couple days, we really admired what he's about and what he'll bring to the table on a daily basis. His athleticism, toughness and physicality on the perimeter makes him the right kind of guy."
When K-State got Lindsay on the phone, it was a done deal.
"I spoke to the whole staff on a Zoom call," Lindsay says. "It went well. We just talked about the offense and the role they see me in. What interested me in K-State was the fast pace because I like to get up and down. I didn't know anything about K-State really other than the Elite Eight run a few years ago. But I was excited for the opportunity."
Now K-State and all of its new staff and players have been on the practice grind these past four weeks.
"JT Rock really stands out because he's a 7-footer who can shoot the ball really well," Lindsay says. "I like Brandon Rechsteiner because he stands out a little bit with his offense and scoring ability. He can create on his own. Everybody is hungry and is getting along well."
Lindsay is eager to bring his athleticism and persistence to the basketball court.
"Being mentally tough has been a big thing for me," he says. "You have to have mental toughness to play well. My toughness comes from my couple older brothers, who played high school football. They taught me perseverance and to never give up. This is my last year, so I want to do well, and help K-State win a bunch of games."
As for what Lindsay has learned most about himself during his journey?
"Anything is possible," he says. "Even when things might be bad, you can go anywhere you want as long as you put your mind to it.
"We all want to buy-in and get to March Madness. Most of us didn't have a good season last year, so we all want to get there this year."
For four weeks, it's been a constant grind, a simple schedule, an ease-in approach with an hour of weights and a 50-minute practice at Ice Family Basketball Center. The Kansas State men's basketball team, compiled of players from across the country but shooting for the same goal, eats breakfast together, competes hard on the court and gels off the court, consumed in a world of their own — a world that at the end of the day typically includes video games and a couch.
"Practice has been going really well, and is coming along," says Dez Lindsay, a 6-foot-6, 215-pound senior forward who arrived four weeks ago from Oregon. "It's a structured practice where we focus on offense, with one-on-one drills, and getting to know our roles right now. I'm an all-around type of guy. I like playing the wing position the best. I rebound, defend and score. I'm good on defense and can be the guy to get stops. I'm a team guy and like to pass the ball and get my teammates involved.
"We all get along really well and want to win a bunch of games for Coach Casey Alexander. We're going to score a lot of points."
Lindsay has three roommates. JT Rock is a 7-foot-1 junior center from New Mexico, Isaiah Abraham is a 6-foot-7 forward from Georgetown, and 6-foot-6 sophomore guard Andrej Kostic of Serbia is the lone holdover from last year's K-State squad.
Each K-State player has something to prove. The 23-year-old Lindsay has suffered multiple left shoulder dislocations from playing high school quarterback back home in Louisville, Kentucky, actually redshirted his initial season at Oregon two years ago, and last season averaged 5.1 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.5 assists for the Ducks.
He's eager to make a bigger impact in his final year of eligibility.
"It's been a rocky college career so far," Lindsay says. "Coming from juco and the injury at Oregon when my left shoulder dislocated again, which caused me to redshirt. I never got surgery to repair the shoulder when I injured it in high school. I redshirted and then I didn't have a good season last season."
His history with injuries hasn't dampened the physical and mental toughness that he has acquired over the course of a college career that began in 2022-23 at Florida SouthWestern Community College and continued in 2024-25 at Oregon. When healthy, Lindsay can put on a show — which is precisely what Alexander and his K-State coaching staff saw in Lindsay's highlight reel that prompted them to contact the prospective talent two weeks into the transfer portal.
"(Lindsay) will be the best athlete on the team," Alexander said. "What I love about him is he's a really mature kid, tough, blue-collar, really a team guy. When we spent time with him in Manhattan for a couple days, we really admired what he's about and what he'll bring to the table on a daily basis. His athleticism, toughness and physicality on the perimeter makes him the right kind of guy."
When K-State got Lindsay on the phone, it was a done deal.
"I spoke to the whole staff on a Zoom call," Lindsay says. "It went well. We just talked about the offense and the role they see me in. What interested me in K-State was the fast pace because I like to get up and down. I didn't know anything about K-State really other than the Elite Eight run a few years ago. But I was excited for the opportunity."
Now K-State and all of its new staff and players have been on the practice grind these past four weeks.
"JT Rock really stands out because he's a 7-footer who can shoot the ball really well," Lindsay says. "I like Brandon Rechsteiner because he stands out a little bit with his offense and scoring ability. He can create on his own. Everybody is hungry and is getting along well."
Lindsay is eager to bring his athleticism and persistence to the basketball court.
"Being mentally tough has been a big thing for me," he says. "You have to have mental toughness to play well. My toughness comes from my couple older brothers, who played high school football. They taught me perseverance and to never give up. This is my last year, so I want to do well, and help K-State win a bunch of games."
As for what Lindsay has learned most about himself during his journey?
"Anything is possible," he says. "Even when things might be bad, you can go anywhere you want as long as you put your mind to it.
"We all want to buy-in and get to March Madness. Most of us didn't have a good season last year, so we all want to get there this year."
Players Mentioned
F
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
C
/ Men's BasketballWednesday, June 24
Tuesday, June 23
Monday, June 22
Monday, June 22
