WISE WORDS FROM THE LEGENDS: Nino Williams and Thomas Gipson Return to Inspire the Next Generation of Wildcats
MANHATTAN, KS — Kansas State Basketball welcomed a special kind of energy this week as two fan-favorite former Wildcats—Nino Williams and Thomas Gipson—returned to Bramlage Coliseum, not to play, but to pour wisdom into the next generation of players.
With the echoes of their own era still fresh in the minds of loyal #EMAW fans, the duo brought more than nostalgia. They brought perspective, passion, and purpose, speaking directly to current players, coaches, and even longtime supporters about what it truly means to wear Kansas State across your chest.
Williams (2010–2015) and Gipson (2011–2015) formed the heart and soul of Kansas State basketball during their time on the hardwood—tough, gritty, selfless leaders who knew how to battle in the Big 12. Now, nearly a decade removed from their college days, their presence still commands attention—and respect.
“This Jersey Means Something”
Speaking in front of the current roster during a team session earlier this week, Williams didn’t waste time reminding the Wildcats what the culture was built on.
“You don’t just play for Kansas State,” Williams said. “You play as Kansas State. You become the school. That’s how deep it runs.”
Williams, who was known for his versatility and defensive grit, spoke about accountability, staying mentally sharp, and appreciating the grind—even when it doesn’t feel glamorous.
“I wasn’t always the biggest scorer. I wasn’t the flashiest,” he admitted. “But I gave everything I had, every day, and it paid off. That’s what we did. That’s what K-State expects.”
His message was clear: legacy isn’t something you inherit—it’s something you earn. He reminded the Wildcats that long before the jersey becomes a memory, it’s a responsibility.
Gipson’s Call for Grit
Thomas Gipson, one of the most physically imposing forwards in K-State history, matched Williams’ intensity with his own hard-hitting message about work ethic and resilience.
“No one gave us anything,” Gipson said. “We had to fight. Every rebound, every loose ball, every minute on the court—we fought for it.”
Gipson, who ranks among K-State’s all-time leaders in rebounds and field goal percentage, recalled moments from the Wildcats’ 2013 Big 12 Championship run and what it meant to be part of a team that never gave in.
“You can have all the talent in the world,” he said. “But if you’re not willing to dig deep and suffer for this team, you won’t last in this league. This conference doesn’t care who you are. You either show up or you get left behind.”
The younger Wildcats sat in full attention, taking in the raw emotion and unfiltered truth of someone who’s been through the fire—and come out better for it.
A Brotherhood That Doesn’t Expire
What stood out most during the visit wasn’t just the basketball talk, but the brotherhood. Both Gipson and Williams made it clear that once you’re part of the Wildcat family, you’re in for life.
“Every time I come back to Manhattan, it feels like home,” Williams said. “The buildings change, the faces change—but the feeling, the culture? That never goes away.”
Gipson echoed those thoughts, even sharing a moment in the locker room with head coach Jerome Tang that brought laughter and reflection.
“Coach Tang didn’t coach me directly, but he knows this program,” Gipson said. “He gets it. He’s building something real here, and I wanted to come back and support that.”
Their presence wasn’t lost on Tang, either, who praised both players for not just what they accomplished on the court, but how they’ve carried themselves since.
“These guys laid the foundation. They were warriors in this program,” Tang said. “And when they come back and speak to our guys, it matters. It hits different.”
Social Media Buzz and #EMAW Pride
Once the visit hit social media, the reaction was instant. Former teammates, K-State alumni, and fans flooded Twitter and Instagram with love and appreciation. The official K-State men’s basketball account posted clips from the session with the caption: “Wise words from the legends 🗣️ Nino Williams & Thomas Gipson #EMAW👌”—and the comments section lit up.
“This is what makes K-State different,” one fan wrote. “We don’t forget our own.”
Another said, “That 2013 team still gives me chills. Seeing Nino and Thomas still representing the program speaks volumes.”
It wasn’t just fans, either. Current players reposted moments from the talk, calling the experience “powerful” and “fuel for the season ahead.”
A Legacy That Still Teaches
The return of Williams and Gipson also served as a reminder of the standards that have always existed at Kansas State: toughness, unity, effort, and pride.
These aren’t just buzzwords thrown around to hype up a crowd. They’re the foundation of what the Wildcats have always stood for—and why even now, nearly a decade removed from their playing days, Williams and Gipson still command the locker room when they speak.
Whether it was a reminder to respect the process or a challenge to leave no excuse on the court, the two legends left a lasting imprint.
Looking Forward, Inspired by the Past
Kansas State heads into the upcoming season with expectations high under Coach Tang, who has already reinvigorated the program with a deep tournament run and national buzz. But visits like these ground the current Wildcats in something deeper than rankings or headlines.
The legends are watching. The standards are set. The torch has been passed—but it’s heavy with purpose.
As Gipson said before walking out of the gym: “What you do now will be remembered later. Play like someone’s going to come back here one day and call you a legend.”
In the end, that’s what legacy is all about. And Kansas State basketball just got a powerful reminder from two of its own.
