[Men's Basketball] Range settling into role on Men's Basketball team

AJ Range (SO/Junction City, Kan.) went through the usual adjustment period as a freshman on the Kansas Wesleyan basketball team.

He played for the junior varsity and got in 26 varsity games as a reserve, averaging 2.0 points and 1.1 rebounds during the 2017-18 season.

Much work remained, though, to become the impact player he hoped to be.

"I always wanted to be the best on the court," said Range, a 6-foot-6 sophomore forward from Junction City. "I wanted to be great."

One year later, his passion and relentless drive to improve are apparent on the court. It's also not surprising.

Range averages 8.5 points, 6.4 rebounds and shoots 63 percent from the field. He's played in 24 games and started 15.

"I think A.J.'s just a prime example of what hard work does," KWU coach Anthony Monson said. "He's a kid who wants it more than most people and is willing to put in the time and effort to be the best he can be."

Overcoming doubts and obstacles isn't a recent phenomenon for Range, who learned early on nothing good comes without perseverance and sacrifice. He tried out, but was cut from the team in his seventh and eighth grade and freshman years in Junction City.