Good morning, Shocker Nation. We continue our series introducing fans to the Wichita State basketball newcomers with big men and freshmen.

Will Berg describes his mushroom pasta sauce without revealing his secret recipe. Emmanuel Okorafor talks about handling social media and why it is important to avoid comparing himself to others. Freshman Tyrus Rathan-Mayes details the rise of Canadian basketball. Fellow freshman Pierre Couisnard discusses how recovering from knee surgeries shaped his journey and describes playing for his dad, current Shocker assistant coach P.J. Couisnard.

What else are we mixing into today’s edition of the Shocker Brew? Find out below!

🏀 First look at WBB’s Bella Belong
⚾️ MJ Sweeney making his mark on summer ball
🌾 And much, much more!

🌾 ONE BIG THING

Just Did It. ICYMI! Wichita State University started a new partnership with Nike and BSN SPORTS on July 1, 2025. BSN SPORTS, the premier platform for team sports solutions, will serve as the official supplier of Shocker Athletics' athletic uniform, apparel and footwear needs for the duration of the partnership. As part of the five-year agreement, Nike will provide on-field and training gear for 16 varsity sports and will outfit members of the athletic department including coaches and staff.

📈 STOCK UP

🔼 A Sense of Belonging. Incoming Shocker, Bella Belong, is a 6-3 forward from Yaounde, Cameroon, who was named All-Conference in the Western Junior College Athletic Conference as a freshman after averaging 8.6 points and 6.2 rebounds per game for South Plains College.
 
Belong opened her 2024-25 sophomore campaign averaging 10.0 points and 10.0 rebounds per game through the first four games for the Texans.
 
"Bella is a long, athletic post player with incredible potential," Coach Nooner has said. "She runs the floor like a guard and has the kind of upside that excites us as coaches."

🔼 Playing the Long Ball. The son of Kansas City Royals legend Mike Sweeney, MJ Sweeney, who will don the Shocker uniform for the Wichita State baseball team in 2026, is not experiencing any summer slide.

🔼 Lasting Legacy Cemented. Talk about going out on top!

🌾 SHOCKER TRIVIA

The First Dance. In what year did the Shockers MBB team first go to the NCAA Tournament?

Think you know the answer? Scroll to the bottom to find out!

🤝 SHARE THE BREW

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📆 ON THE DOCKET

*All times CST

Friday, August 1-Sunday, August 3
👟 Track & Field @ USATF Outdoor Championships in Eugene Oregon

🌾 Click here to see the full Wichita State Athletics Calendar

🤓 TRIVIA ANSWER

Answer: 1964!

Wichita State's first appearance in the NCAA men's basketball tournament was in 1964. The Shockers qualified after winning the Missouri Valley Conference. They beat Creighton but then lost to Kansas State in the Midwest Regional final. 

WSU MBB did even better the following year. In the 1965 NCAA Tournament, the Shockers reached the Final Four for the first time in school history. They won the Midwest Regional, defeating SMU and Oklahoma State, before losing to the eventual champion, UCLA, in the semifinals.

🌾 Have a super weekend, Shocker Nation!