Wichita State Basketball: Breaking down the 2018 recruiting class

SAN DIEGO, CA - MARCH 16: The Wichita State Shockers mascot gestures in the second half against the Marshall Thundering Herd during the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Viejas Arena on March 16, 2018 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 19: Head coach Gregg Marshall of the Wichita State Shockers reacts. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

PG Ricky Torres – Missouri State-West Plains

An All-America in the JUCO ranks a year ago, Ricky Torres is coming to Wichita State via Missouri State Western Plains. He is a true pass-first point guard with the ability to see the floor as well as attack the basket when necessary. Rated as the No. 32 JUCO prospect for the 2018 class, Torres will be able to compete right away for solid minutes with the Shockers. In fact, it would not be a shock (see what I did there) if he was named the starting point guard by the time the season rolls around.

During this past season, Torres averaged 17.2 points per game while shooting 49.9% from the field and 43.3% from distance (164 total 3PA). While his free throw shooting (69.4%) leaves something to be desired, his sample size as a 3-point shooter is large enough to believe that he can be a highly efficient marksman at the D-1 level. In addition, Torres also flashes his excellent playmaking abilities at JUCO.

While 3.2 turnovers per game may jump out as a lot, his 8.1 assists per game make up for that. In fact, the 2.5 assist-to-turnover ratio that he exhibited this past season would have ranked inside of the top-50 in Division-I. If he is able to replicate that kind of playmaking success with the Shockers during this upcoming year, then the Shockers would have an outstanding playmaker to lead the rest of the roster.

Although still technically a member of the 2018 recruiting class, it is important to remember that, due to playing in JUCO, Torres will only have two years of eligibility remaining. He committed to Wichita State over the likes of Auburn, SMU, and South Florida.

MS-West Plains coach Chris Popp had this to say about Torres’ game (The Wichita Eagle):

"“I would never do this, but if I had to sit down and not coach, Ricky could run the game for me and we would still win and be fine. He really is another coach out there on the floor. He wants to get into coaching one day, and I know he’s going to be successful. He’s just one of those guys that understands the game on another level.”"