Kansas State basketball coach Jerome Tang gives high marks to his five 2023-24 newcomers
When Jerome Tang built his first Kansas State basketball roster nearly from scratch last year, he and the Wildcats were not burdened by unrealistic expectations.
But then, after being picked to finish last in the Big 12, they went and took third in the conference, earned a No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament and advanced all the way to the Elite Eight.
The task is not nearly as daunting in season No. 2, with the Wildcats returning six players — including three with double-digit starts — from a team that won 26 games. But those three do not included point guard Markquis Nowell and forward Keyontae Johnson, who have a shot at making it in the NBA.
And besides, by setting such a high bar in his head coaching debut, the onus now was on Tang to recruit a roster that can match or exceed last year's success. The Wildcats step into July with 11 players and two roster vacancies.
"We don't want to relax," Tang said. "We don't want any slippage in what we do, and we're not going to sneak up on anybody this year."
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Five newcomers already are on campus for summer workouts, with three freshmen and two recent transfer portal additions. K-State also had two West Virginia players, guard Joe Toussaint and 6-foot-10 forward Mohamed Wague, on campus for visits late this week.
Tang has said he would like to add one experienced guard, plus the best available player, from the portal to complete his roster.
The Wildcats added two highly regarded transfers in North Texas super-senior guard Tylor Perry and junior forward Arthur Kaluma from Creighton. In November, Tang signed four-star guards Darrin Ames from Chicago and R.J. Jones from Denton Texas by way of Wasatch Academy in Utah, plus three-star forward Macaleab Rich from East St. Louis, Illinois.
Here is how Tang broke down his class of newcomers during a recent Zoom conference with reporters.
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Tylor Perry, North Texas transfer guard
"A big-time winner," Tang said. "JUCO national championship, (National Invitation Tournament) championship, (and) MVP at the NIT. Two conference championships at North Texas.
"And he might be a better person that he is a player. He's just got a smile on his face and great energy. I'm really excited about him. He's going to take on a lot of leadership role because of his experience and just his personality."
Perry was the Conference USA player of the year as a senior, averaging 17.3 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game in helping the Mean Green to the NIT championship. He also won a national junior college championship at Coffeyville Community College.
Arthur Kaluma, Creighton transfer forward
"Arthur was obviously a big-time get for us," Tang said. "He transferred from Creighton, (played in) two NCAA Tournaments and an Elite Eight last year and he could have been in the Final four, but for a call at the end of the game.
"I just love the fact that he's won at a high level and cares about winning. "He's extremely versatile. He can play multiple positions and score in a variety of ways. A versatile defender, and he rebounds the basketball.
As a sophomore, Kaluma started all 37 games for Creighton, averaging 11.8 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.6 assists.
Darrin 'Dai' Ames, Chicago freshman guard
"He is in shape. He is a hard worker and he's got a lot of stuff to his game," Tang said. "But like with all three of these guys, they're freshmen, so it's going to take him a little time. But I'm excited about Dai."
Ames averaged 20.4 points and 4.4 assists his senior year at Kenwood Academy.
R.J. Jones, Denton, Texas, freshman guard
"I've seen a gifted scorer," Tang said of Jones. "He played at a high level.
"With all three of these guys there's an adjustment period that's going to take place, but R.J. is the kind of kid that he could play 10 minutes and have nine points, because he's such a gifted shooter and scorer."
Jones averaged nearly 20 points as a junior at John Paul II High School in Plano, Texas, before transferring to national powerhouse Wasatch his senior year.
Macaleab Rich, East St. Louis, Illinois freshman forward
"Buddy is a physical specimen," Tang said of Rich, who averaged 19.5 points, 9.4 rebounds and 3.2 assists his senior season at East St. Louis High. "He's got a lot of gifts and talents and is really working hard to get himself in college shape, which is a lot different.
"But man, another great worker and just a fun kid to be around."
Tang had a positive impression of all five newcomers since their arrival on campus.
"I'm excited for all five of those guys, and they fit in well with the other guys, and they're working really hard right now," he said.
Arne Green is based in Salina and covers Kansas State University sports for the Gannett network. He can be reached at agreen@gannett.com or on Twitter at @arnegreen.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Kansas State basketball coach Jerome Tang likes his five newcomers
