Sophomore forward Kris Mporokoso is figuring things out pretty quickly for Waubonsie Valley.
The 6-foot-3 Mporokoso has learned how to plug in his versatile game to fit the circumstances.
“I like shooting the ball, but I also love passing and getting assists,” Mporokoso said of his personal conundrum. “I really love helping my teammates elevate their game to the next level.
“I just do what I need to do for my team, step up on the boards and help dominate the paint.”
Mporokoso dominated with a team-best nine rebounds Saturday afternoon and also scored seven points for the host Warriors in a 76-42 nonconference victory over Oswego in Aurora.
Senior forward Moses Wilson scored 26 points and had eight rebounds for Waubonsie (8-0). Senior guards Tyreek Coleman and Josh Tinney added 18 points and 10 points, respectively.
Senior forward Dasean Patton came through with 20 points and seven rebounds for the Panthers (4-5). Freshman guard Ethan Vahl hit four 3-pointers to finish with 16 points.
Both of the baskets by Mporokoso were 3-pointers, illustrating an expanded perimeter game that allows him to operate all over the court.
“It just makes everything click when my outside shot is falling like that,” Mporokoso said. “Once I start hitting those, the defenders change the way they play, making hard closeouts.
“I can get to the basket or kick out and create for others.”
Mporokoso finished with three assists, three steals, multiple deflections and a blocked shot.
The early defense of the first-time starter has been his calling card.
“Defensively was one of my biggest concerns for him,” Waubonsie coach Andrew Schweitzer said. “We knew he could shoot and score at this level, but the question was whether he could handle the physicality and play with the motor that we require in how we play.”
His last name gives him immediate visibility and prominence. Junior guard Danyella Mporokoso, his older sister, is one of the best girls basketball players in state.
Danyella Mporokoso averaged 19.4 points and 6.4 rebounds in leading Waubonsie last season to a fourth-place finish in Class 4A. Just 14 months separate the two.
“He’s really hard on himself internally but usually keeps a pretty cool and nonchalant demeanor,” Danyella said. “I’d describe him as funny, caring and hardworking.
“Whenever I have a game, he always gives me input. He really looks for ways to improve himself. He’s always watching film and really breaks things down.”
Kris Mporokoso takes pride in his sister’s accomplishments. She also brings out his natural and deeply competitive personality.
“We definitely compare our statistics like 3-point percentages and shooting efficiency,” Kris said. “Growing up, we helped each other develop our games. Sometimes, it got pretty competitive.
“After what she did last year, it just motivated me to do the same thing this season.”
Influenced by the excellence of his sister, Mporokoso took on new challenges. He played receiver on the sophomore football team, using that experience to develop his body and add muscle.
“We’re actually pretty different,” Danyella said. “Kris likes to go with the flow and I like things to be scheduled out.
“Toward the beginning of his season, he said he wasn’t shooting that well and then got up with me two straight days at 5:30 in the morning to come and shoot.”
Kris had his first brush with varsity after his call-up for the state playoffs last season. It marked the perfect prelude to what followed.
“Right now it’s about doing everything right, getting to the gym, doing things properly in practice,” he said. “I don’t like losing, especially games we know we should win and don’t come out on top.
“That just wants to make you play better.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
