Rising Star: High-rated Shocker recruit following prep coach’s footsteps into Round House

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) - One of the highest-rated recruits in recent Wichita State history was in town earlier this week as his prep team out of Houston squared off against Sunrise Christian Academy. Beyond the road trip, top-150 combo guard Zion Pipkin has a Shocker connection through someone he spends time with almost every day. Former Wichita State star P.J. Couisnard, an instrumental piece in the turnaround success that made the Shockers a national name, coaches Pipkin at the Houston charter school, Legacy The School of Sport Sciences.

Growing up with seven brothers, Pipkin said when it came to picking up a basketball, he didn’t have much of a choice. But he did have a choice to make with college. Helped by Couisnard, he chose Wichita State over the likes of TCU and Colorado.

Wichita State Head Men’s Basketball Coach Paul Mills earlier this week discussed what gives Pipkin the chance to be special at the next level.

“The one thing good players have is a competitive edge. He has that, you can tell,” Mills said.

Pipkin touched on aspects of his game that make him the mold of a player Shocker fans will love to cheer for.

“I’m gonna get everybody involved. I can score, shoot, I can play defense 94 feet,” he said.

“He competes at a high level. That’s gonna be the thing Shocker fans love,” Couisnard said. “If he needs to make a shot, he’ll make a shot. If he needs a steal, he’ll get a steal, if you need a rebound, he’ll get a rebound. Just a selfless player that’s all about winning.”