It’s dark out, but Gradey Dick refuses to go inside. He’s out late, practicing his shot. He can barely see, squinting to see the cement hoop in his family’s backyard court in Wichita, Kansas. Dick, who was 10 then, was hell-bent on gaining an edge on his older brothers, Brodey and Riley. Everything was a competition, even free throws. It’s darker now, but he no longer needs the light; he’s relying on his muscle memory and imagination. Dick visualizes the bright orange rim and black and white striped backboard and lets it fly. His ears perk up as he hears the “swish” of the made basket. He’s one rep closer to beating his brothers in their next shooting competition. Now, at 19, Dick is a star freshman for kuhoops and a favorite among Jayhawks fans. The long nights he spent outside paid off. Dick is one of the toughest individual assignments for any college defender. Read more about his rise at the link in our bio. #KUJayhawks #RockChalk #GradeyDick #CollegeBasketball #KUHoops