As college basketball seasons come and go, there are few constants. Each season, fans familiarize themselves with the high-profile recruits of that year’s class, as the NBA’s stars of tomorrow prepare themselves to make the jump to the next level. For every five-star blue-chip that commits to a school, there are players who fly under the radar and end up making just as big an impact down the road.
David Wingett, a freshman shooting guard on the men’s basketball team, did not receive much attention from college programs coming out of high school. Despite finishing second all-time in Nebraska high school state history for career points scored, he remained unranked as a prospect. He attributes the never-give-up mindset he brandishes on the basketball court to his Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska heritage.
“We have always been known to be warriors and to never back down from any challenge put in front of us,” Wingett said. “I took that with me onto the basketball court, and it helped me be more resilient going forward through any trials I had in my basketball career.”
Despite arriving to campus with little fanfare, Wingett has settled in comfortably and said he thinks he will play a more significant role this season than some may have initially expected. He said his trainer Clint Parks, who has worked with Kyle Kuzma of the Los Angeles Lakers, helps him stay focused.
“He’s always giving me words of wisdom and showing me what hard work actually is,” Wingett said. “He knows what he is talking about, so I listen when he tells me something. He helps me keep my eyes on the prize.”
With about two months remaining until their much anticipated 2018-19 campaign begins, Wingett is still getting acclimated to his new routine.
“It’s been pretty smooth settling in here, and I already love the city,” he said. “I’m just excited for the season to start.”
Parks said he thinks Wingett has a chance to become an immediate impact player for the Tigers.
“He’s a jack-of-all-trades type of guy— someone every team needs to be successful,” Parks said. “He’s long and athletic at about 6-foot-7. He can handle it, and he can shoot it with great accuracy. Defensively, he can guard multiple spots, and he’s done a good job in the summer attacking the weight room and putting on some weight as well.”
Although Wingett was not rated highly by recruiting services, Parks said he believes that has more to do with location than it does his basketball skills.
“People get caught up in rankings and stars,” Parks said. “If David lived in a big city, he would have been a big-time recruit.”
Parks said Wingett is not only important to the people who are still on the reservation but also that the reservation is important to him.
“He’s proud of where he’s from,” Parks said. “His reservation motivates him every day. He knows it’s much bigger than him. A lot of people before and after him are looking up to him, and he embraces that.”
Parks said he thinks Wingett will bring a winning attitude to a program that finished 19-13 and outside of the NCAA Tournament field last season.
“He’s a winner that loves to compete,” Parks said. “He doesn’t care who you are when he steps between those lines. He has a very high basketball IQ.”
The Tigers men’s basketball team tips their season off with an exhibition contest at FedEx Forum on Oct. 25 against LeMoyne-Owen College.
David Wingett, left, stands with Clint Parks on a basketball court. Wingett said he looks at Parks as not just a trainer but a mentor and big brother, too.
