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IN THE SPOTLIGHT www.thesunflower.com
April 18, 2024
Volume 128 Issue 28
Lipscomb’s AJ McGinnis commits to Wichita State basketball BY MELANIE RIVERA-CORTEZ sports@thesunflower.com
On Saturday night, redshirt junior guard AJ McGinnis committed to the Shockers from Lipscomb University through the transfer portal. The veteran guard has at least one season of eligibility remaining with the possibility of staying for a second year. McGinnis faced off against the Shockers in November, scoring a team-high 17 points for Lipscomb and five 3-pointers in the loss. The 6-foot-4 guard started 32 games this past season with the Bisons and averaged 13.2 points per game in 29.9 minutes of play. The sharpshooter made 77 3-pointers on a 39.7% accuracy and shot 83.3% from the free throw line. At Lipscomb, McGinnis was used primarily as a shooter and not a creator or otherwise strong offensive or defensive difference-maker, averaging 2.3 rebounds, 0.9 assists and 0.5 steals. In his first three years of collegiate basketball, McGinnis averaged 6.1 points per game, but the 2023-2024 campaign was a major step up. McGinnis began his college journey as a freshman at the University of North Carolina Greensboro, then transferred to Cincinnati where he suffered a season-ending injury before transferring to Lipscomb for the past two seasons. With Wichita State’s top shooter, Colby Rogers transferring to Memphis, McGinnis will most likely fill Rogers’ spot on the court. Mills currently has three scholarships remaining for the 2024-2025 season.
Bassist and vocalist of the band Tall Glass of Root Beer plays on his knees near the end of their act. The group took first place at the Wichita State’s first Shockers Got Talent on April 11. | Photos by Kristy Mace / The Sunflower
Colby Rogers runs down the court past the Memphis defense. | Photo by Kristy Mace / The Sunflower
Basketball’s Colby Rogers commits to Memphis BY MELANIE RIVERA-CORTEZ sports@thesunflower.com
Skylar Isenegger, singer and pianist, performs “Snow Angel” by Reneé Rapp. Isenegger took second place at the Shockers Got Talent event, winning an $800 prize.
Sena sings for her talent at the April 11 Shockers Got Talent. Sena performed “Jason’s Song (Gave It Away)” by Ariana Grande.
First to perform at SAC’s Shockers Got Talent was rapper STML. STML performed a freestyle rap written for the event.
Kuña Paraguay, a dance group, poses with their props near the end of their routine. The duo took third place in the competition, winning a $500 scholarship prize.
Noah Carter, a singer, performs his routine for the April 11 Shockers Got Talent. Carter won the People’s Choice Award for his performance of “ The Best is Yet to Come” by Michael Bublé.
Wichita State dance group, KVersity, performs a routine during the 2024 Shockers Got Talent. The dance group performed to the song “ Talk Saxy” by RIIZE.
After entering the transfer portal last month, redshirt junior Colby Rogers has officially committed to stay in the American Athletic Conference under head coach Penny Hardaway at Memphis. Rogers announced his commitment to the Tigers after taking an official visit on Sunday. He had received multiple offers from Alabama, Kansas and Michigan, among other schools. During the 2024 Athletic Conference Tournament, Rogers broke the Wichita State record for most 3-pointers made in a single season and managed to finish off the season with 99 3-pointers. He helped upset Memphis to advance to the quarterfinals of the tournament with 13 points. During the 2023-24 season, Rogers led Wichita State in scoring, averaging 16.4 points and shooting 40.9% from three. Rogers’ collegiate career began at California Polytechnic University in 2019. He played two seasons there and was its secondleading scorer both seasons. He entered the transfer portal and played for Siena College in New York during the 2021-2022 season. He sat out the 2022-2023 season at Wichita State to satisfy NCAA transfer rules.