Desi Sills

Kansas State Men’s Basketball vs. Texas Tech, February 11, 2023.

(Photo: Lathe Cobb/K-State Sports)

Photo by: © Lathe Cobb/K-State Sports

Position:
Guard
Ht./Wt.:
6-2 / 200
Class:
Senior
Hometown:
Jonesboro, Ark.
High School:
Jonesboro
Prev School:
Arkansas State

Pronounced DEZ-ee

Features (click on headline for link)

A Winner From An Early Age (K-State Sports Extra, Jan. 26, 2023)
Sills' K-State Story Begins Now (K-State Sports Extra, Nov. 7, 2022)

HONORS

2020-21 Preseason All-SEC Team
2019 Collegiate Hoops Roadshow All-Tournament
2021 SEC Winter Honor Roll

CAREER OVERVIEW

Played his fifth and final season of college eligibility at K-State in 2022-23.
Transferred to K-State after playing 3 seasons at Arkansas (2018-21) and 1 season at Arkansas State (2021-22).
Won 107 games in his college career at Arkansas (63), Arkansas State (18) and K-State (26), including Elite Eight appearances with the Razorbacks (2021) and the Wildcats (2023)… Also won 82 games in high school with state championships in 2017 and 2018.
Saw action in 161 career games with 83 starts, including 35 games with 9 starts at K-State in 2022-23… Played in 98 games with 47 starts at Arkansas (2018-21).
Finished his college career with 1,415 career points (6.8 ppg.) on 43.8 percent shooting (484-of-1105), including 31.1 percent (147-of-472) from 3-point range, to go with 447 rebounds (2.8 rpg.), 305 assists (1.9 apg.), 30 blocks (0.2 bpg.) and 168 steals (1.0 spg.) in 4,112 minutes (25.5 mpg.)… Averaged double figures as a sophomore (2019-20) at Arkansas and as a senior (2021-22) at Arkansas State.
Started his college career at Arkansas, where he averaged 7.7 points (758 total) on 43 percent (255-of-593) shooting with 2.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 0.9 steals in 22.8 minutes per game while playing in 98 games with 47 starts from 2018-21… Was the only Razorback to play in all 98 of the team’s games during that 3-year span.
Collected 65 career double-digit scoring games, including 31 games of 15 or more points and 9 20-point games… Scored in double figures in 15 games at K-State with a season-high 24 points in the win over No. 2/2 Kansas (1/17/23)… Scored in double figures in 32 games at Arkansas, including in 17 games as a sophomore (2019-20)… Posted 5 games of at least 20 points at Arkansas… His career-high of 25 points came at Arkansas-Pine Bluff (12/8/21) in his lone season at Arkansas State in 2021-22, where he scored in double figures in 18 of 28 games played.
Posted one career double-double (points/rebounds) with 16 points and 10 rebounds vs. Oral Roberts (12/20/20).
Dished out 305 assists in his college career, including 50 or more in 4 of his 5 seasons.
Had 168 steals in his college career, including a career-best 51 at Arkansas State in 2021-22.
Has connected on better than 42.5 percent of his field goals in his five seasons of college basketball, including hitting on a career-best 44.9 percent his senior season at K-State in 2022-23… Has connected on 53.2 percent (337-of-633) of his 2-point field goals.
Played alongside K-State teammate Abayomi Iyiola at Arkansas from 2019-21, where the pair helped the Razorbacks win 45 games and advanced to the Elite Eight in 2020-21… The duo combined for 71 wins and two Elite Eight in their time together.
Played against head coach Jerome Tang when he was the associate head coach at Baylor when the Razorbacks lost to the Bears in the Elite Eight on March 29, 2021… Tallied 2 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 1 steal in 30 minutes off the bench in his last game at Arkansas.

Career-High Points: 25 at Arkansas-Pine Bluff (12/8/21) while at Arkansas State
Career-High Rebounds: 10 vs. Oral Roberts (12/20/20) while at Arkansas
Career-High Assists: 9 at Texas Tech (12/14/21) while at Arkansas State
Career-High Steals: 5 vs. Georgia Southern (1/1/22) while at Arkansas State

AS A SENIOR AT KANSAS STATE (2022-23) | 8.7 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 2.2 APG | Game-by-Game Stats (.pdf)

Saw action in 35 games with 9 starts.
Contender for the Big 12 Sixth Man Award coming off the bench in the first 26 games before starting 9 of the last 10 games, including all 4 in the NCAA Tournament.
Logged 1,031 minutes, including double-digit totals in all 35 games… Played a season-high 39 minutes vs. Florida Atlantic (3/25/23) in the NCAA Tournament.
Averaged 8.7 points on 44.9 percent shooting (102-of-227), including 22.8 percent (18-of-79) from 3-point range, with 3.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 0.9 steals in 29.5 minutes per game… Connected on 76.1 percent (83-of-109) from the free throw line.
Ranked in the top-4 in several categories, including second in assists (2.2 apg.), third in free throws made (83) and attempted (109), rebounding (3.5 rpg.) and minutes (29.5 mpg.) and fourth in scoring (8.7 ppg.), field goals made (102) and steals (0.9 spg.).
One of the team’s most versatile players, posting at least 5 rebounds in 7 games, at least 3 assists in 13 games and at least 2 steals in 9 games.
Tallied a near triple-double vs. Oklahoma (3/1/23) in his final home game at Bramlage Coliseum, scoring 15 points on 5-of-9 field goals and 5-of-6 free throws to go with season-highs in both rebounds (9) and assists (8) in 35 minutes.
Scored in double figures in 15 games, including 7 times in Big 12 play… Posted double figures 4 times in the last 7 games… Scored a season-high 24 points in the overtime win over No. 2/2 Kansas (1/17/23), knocking down 7-of-11 field goals, including 2-of-3 from 3-point range, and 8-of-9 free throws… It was his ninth career 20-point game.
Among his notable double-digit scoring games included 17 points all in the second half at Butler (11/30/22), 16 vs. LSU (11/23/22) in the Cayman Island Championship game, 15 vs. Oklahoma (3/1/23) on Senior Night, 14 vs. UIW (12/11/22) and twice vs. TCU and 12 vs. Kentucky (3/19/23) in the NCAA Tournament.
Ranked third on the team in rebounding (3.5 rpg.) and fourth in total rebounds (121) and defensive rebounds (121)… Had a season-best 9 rebounds vs. Oklahoma (3/1/23).
Dished out 78 assists, which was second on the team… Had at least 5 assists in 3 games, including a season-best 8 vs. Oklahoma (3/1/23).
Had 12 blocks on the year, including a career-best 4 vs. TCU (3/9/23) at Big 12 Championship… His block vs. Wichita State (12/3/22) on a breakaway layup changed the momentum of the game, resulting in a 55-50 win.
Saw action in 17 of 18 Big 12 games with 4 starts… Averaged 8.6 points on 44.7 percent shooting (46-of-103) to go with 3.9 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 31 minutes per game… Connected on 75.4 percent (46-of-61) from the free throw line.
Ranked second on the team in assists (38) in Big 12 play, while he was third in minutes (31.0 mpg.), free throws made (46) and attempted (61) and steals (17) and fourth in scoring (8.6 ppg.), field goals made (46) and rebounding (3.9 rpg.).
Coached by Jerome Tang.

AS A SENIOR AT ARKANSAS STATE (2021-22) | 12.6 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 1.8 SPG | Game-by-Game Stats (.pdf)

Saw action in 28 of 29 games with 27 starts in 2021-22… Helped guide the Red Wolves to an 18-11 record, the program’s highest win total in 5 seasons… Played alongside Norchad Omier, who was a finalist for 2022 Lou Henson National Player of the Year and the 2022 Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year.
Averaged 12.6 points on 44.6 percent shooting (127-of-285), including 25.5 percent (26-of-102) from the 3-point range, with 3.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.8 steals in 29.8 minutes per game… Connected on 72.7 percent (72-of-99) from the free throw line.
Led the team in steals (51), while was second in scoring (12.6 ppg.) and field goals made (127), third in 3-point field goals made (26), rebounds (101/3.6 rpg.) and assists (79/2.8 apg.).
Ranked among the top-20 in 5 categories in the Sun Belt, including third in steals (1.8 spg.), 11th in free throw percentage (72.7), 15th in scoring (12.6 ppg.) and assists (2.8 apg.) and 19th in minutes (29.8 mpg.).
Scored in double figures in 18 games, including 3 games of at least 20 points… Recorded a season-high 25 points in a win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff (12/8/21), hitting on 8-of-14 field goals, including 3-of-8 from 3-point range, and a 6-of-7 effort from the line… Opened the season with a 21-point performance vs. Harding (11/8/21) before duplicating that effort with 21 points in a home win over Texas State (1/22/22).
Grabbed at least 5 rebounds in 6 games, including a season-best 8 vs. ULM (3/3/22).
Dished out 5 or more assists in 4 games, including a season-best 9 at Texas Tech (12/14/21).
Recorded at least 2 steals in 13 games, including a season-best 5 vs. Georgia Southern (1/1/22).
Started 14 Sun Belt Conference games… Averaged 11.7 points on 42.8 percent (59-of-138), including 27.8 percent (15-of-54) from 3-point range, in conference play with 3.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.9 steals in 31.6 minutes per game.
Scored in double figures 9 times in SBC play with one 20-point game.
Led the SBC in steals per game (1.9 spg.), while he was 13th in assists (2.9 apg.) and 19th in scoring (11.7 ppg.) per game.
Coached by Mike Balado.

AS A JUNIOR AT ARKANSAS (2020-21) | 7.5 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 1.0 SPG | Game-by-Game Stats (.pdf)

Saw action in all 32 games with 15 starts in 2020-21… The Razorbacks posted a 25-7 record, including a 13-4 mark in SEC play, and advanced to the Elite Eight.
Averaged 7.5 points on 43 percent shooting (83-of-193), including 31.8 percent (27-of-85) from 3-point range, with 2.7 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.0 steals in 20.8 minutes per game… Connected on 67.6 percent (46-of-68) from the line.
Named to the preseason All-SEC Second Team by the league coaches.
Scored in double figures in 10 games, including a season-high 23 points at Auburn (12/30/20) on 8-of-15 field goals, including 4-of-7 from 3-point range… Also had 22 points in a home game vs. Auburn (1/20/21) on 7-of-12 shooting.
Nine of 10 double-digit scoring games came in the first 15 games of the season, a span in which, he averaged 12 points on 46.2 percent (61-of-132) shooting.
Registered his first career double-double with 16 points on 6-of-13 shooting and a season-high 10 rebounds vs. Oral Roberts (12/20/20) to go with 2 assists, 1 block and 1 steal in 34 minutes.
Grabbed 5 or more rebounds in 5 games, including 6 in back-to-back NCAA Tournament games vs. Oral Roberts (3/27/21) and Baylor (3/29/21).
Ranked third on the team in 3-point field goals (27), hitting on a season-high 5 triples at South Carolina (3/2/21)… Knocked down 4 treys at Auburn (12/30/20).
Dished out a season-high 5 assists vs. Southern (12/9/20).
Notched a season-high 4 steals vs. UT Arlington (12/2/20).
Saw action in 17 SEC games with 6 starts… Averaged 7.1 points on 39.2 percent (40-of-102) shooting, including 31.8 percent (14-of-44) from 3-point range, in conference play with 2.1 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 0.6 steals in 19.6 minutes per game… Connected on 72.2 percent (26-of-36) from the free throw line.
Scored in double figures in 4 games in SEC play.
Coached by Eric Musselman.

AS A SOPHOMORE AT ARKANSAS (2019-20) | 10.6 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 0.9 SPG | Game-by-Game Stats (.pdf)

Saw action in all 32 games with 24 starts in 2019-20… The Razorbacks posted a 20-12 record, including a 9-11 mark in SEC play, in a season cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Averaged 10.6 points on 42.5 percent shooting (117-of-275) with 3.0 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 0.9 steals in 31.2 minutes per game… Connected on 64.8 percent (59-of-91) from the line.
Ranked fourth on the team in scoring (10.6 ppg.), field goals (117) and minutes (31.2 mpg.).
Scored in double figures in 17 games, including 3 games of 20 or more points… Scored a season-high 21 points at Georgia (2/29/20) on 8-of-13 shooting, including 3-of-5 from 3-point range… Also registered 20-point games at Western Kentucky (12/7/19) and vs. Vanderbilt (3/11/20)…
Scored 18 points vs. TCU (1/25/20) in his first game off the bench on 7-of-8 field goals, including 3-of-3 from 3-point range, in an SEC/Big 12 Challenge game.
Was playing his best basketball before the season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic with 10 double-digit scoring games in the last 14 games… Averaged 12.7 points in the last 11 games of the season, including 20 vs. Vanderbilt (3/11/20) in the final game of the SEC Tournament before the season was shut down.
Named to the Collegiate Hoops Roadshow All-Tournament Team after averaging 9.5 points in 4-game tournament… Scored 17 points vs. Northern Kentucky (11/30/19) on 7-of-15 shooting.
Ranked third in 3-point field goals made (47)… Knocked down a season-high 5 treys vs. Vanderbilt (3/11/20)… Also posted 4 triples vs. Auburn (2/4/20) and Missouri (2/22/20).
Totaled 4 or more rebounds in 12 games, including 7 vs. Vanderbilt (1/15/20).
Dished out a season-high 4 assists at Georgia Tech (11/25/19).
Posted 2 or more steals in 9 games, including a season-high 4 vs. Auburn (2/4/20).
Saw action in all 18 SEC games with 12 starts… Averaged 10.3 points on 40.5 percent (60-of-148) shooting, including 35.1 percent (27-of-77) in 3-point range, in conference play with 3.1 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 0.8 steals in 32.1 minutes per game… Connected on 64.4 percent (38-of-59) from the free throw line.
Scored in double figures in 10 games in SEC play.
Coached by Eric Musselman.

AS A FRESHMAN AT ARKANSAS (2018-19) | 5.3 PPG, 1.3 RPG, 0.6 SPG | Game-by-Game Stats (.pdf)

Saw action in all 34 games with 8 starts in 2018-19… The Razorbacks posted a 18-16 record, including an 8-10 mark in SEC play, and advanced to the NIT Second Round.
Averaged 5.3 points on 44 percent shooting (55-of-125) with 1.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 0.6 steals in 16.9 minutes per game… Connected on 70.2 percent (40-of-57) from the line.
Scored in double figures 5 times, including a season-high 18 points at Indiana (3/23/19) in the NIT Second Round on 6-of-11 field goals, including 4-of-6 from 3-point range… Tallied 14 points in his first SEC game at Texas A&M (1/5/19) on 5-of-9 shooting.
Started the last 8 games of the season, posting 4 double-digit scoring games and averaging 10.1 points per game on 50 percent (25-of-50) shooting… In addition to his 18 points at Indiana (3/23/19), posted 15 points at Kentucky (2/26/19) and 11 in back-to-back games at Vanderbilt (3/6/19) and Alabama (3/9/19).
Ranked third in 3-point field goals made (29)… Knocked down a season-high 4 treys at Indiana (3/23/19).. Also had 3 treys in 4 other games.
Had at least 2 rebounds in 11 games, including a season-high 4 at Auburn (2/20/19).
Totaled 4 or more assists in 5 games, including a season-high 6 vs. FIU (12/1/18).
Snagged a season-high 3 steals vs. Ole Miss (3/2/19).
Saw action in all 18 SEC games with 5 starts… Averaged 5.1 points on 40.6 percent (28-of-69) shooting, including 46.9 percent (15-of-32) in 3-point range, in conference play with 1.1 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 0.5 steals in 16.7 minutes per game… Connected on 70.0 percent (21-of-30) from the free throw line.
Scored in double figures in 4 games in SEC play.
Coached by Mike Anderson.

HIGH SCHOOL

Rated the No. 3 player in the state of Arkansas by 247Sports and ESPN… Ranked a consensus top-50 pick among the nation’s top point guards.
Played three seasons at Jonesboro High School in Jonesboro, Ark. … Helped the Hurricanes to an 82-8 overall record with three consecutive trips to the Final Four of the Class 6A State Championships, including back-to-back championships in 2017 and 2018.
Named to the USA Today All-Arkansas First Team as a senior in 2017-18… Twice selected First Team Class 6A (2017, 2018).
Averaged 20 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.5 assists as a senior in 2017-18 in helping Jonesboro to a 26-5 record and the state championship.
Averaged 15.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists as a junior in 2016-17 en route to leading Jonesboro to a perfect 32-0 record and the state championship, which was the first undefeated season since 1954.
Coached by Wes Swift.

PERSONAL

Desi De'Auntra Arnaz Sills was born Dec. 29, 1998, in Jonesboro, Ark. … Son of Shawna Neal Henry… Has four siblings, including two brothers (Travon Neal and Quaavon) and two sisters (C’cchae and Devonce).
Played with Arkansas Hawks AAU team, alongside Isaiah Joe and Ethan Henderson.
Earned a bachelor's degree in recreation and sports management from Arkansas State in July 2022… Working towards a master’s degree in conflict analysis and trauma studies.