Joe Pleasant made two free throws to win an NCAA Tournament game in March. If that is your first impression of Pleasant – great. Beating Texas is a big moment.
A more revealing first impression took place early this summer, after he transferred to Wichita State from Abilene Christian. He came to Koch Arena for his first individual practice session and dove on the floor to grab a rolling basketball.
He did that during a skills workout, not normally the time that demands maximum effort and floor burns. The coaches and teammates nod and smile when asked about that practice.