Texas Says Goodbye to Wangmene Chapman: Part 2

Wangmene came to Austin from Blair Academy in New Jersey, but Lex is no Jersey boy.  His basketball journey began in the West African country of Cameroon.  It was there in Africa that San Antonio Spurs GM R.C Burford saw Lex at a Basketball Without Borders camp and thought enough of him to bring him to the United States and adopt him.

Lex arrived in Austin the same year Chapman did, but saw early playing time because of his defensive ability.  He might only be 6’7, but he is strong, has long arms and has a reliable 12-15 foot jump shot.  Lex played 10 minutes per game his Freshman season and saw action in all 37 games.  He was an important part of Rick Barnes’ rotation that year.  Whenever Texas had trouble guarding a big man, Lex got the job.  Texas went to the Elite 8 that year, and Lex was a big part of the team’s success.

Expectations were high for Wangmene going into his Sophomore season.  Sadly, Wangmene suffered a right knee injury just 4 games into the season and was forced to take a medical redshirt that year.  When Wangmene rejoined the team for his Redshirt Sophomore season, Texas was a different team.  Gary Johnson had played well in Wangmene’s absence and Dexter Pittman had come back with high expectations after a breakout Big 12 Tournament.  Texas also brought in All Americans Avery Bradley, Jordan Hamilton and J’Covan Brown.  Damion James was back, Justin Mason was back, Matt Hill was back.  The Longhorns had all the talent to win it all that year.  They were going to be moving away from their traditional grind it out style to a more attractive style of basketball.  That meant less playing time for Wangmene.  Lex watched as the Longhorns rose to #1 nationally and then stumble out of the rankings.  He was a good teammate, routinely the first guy off the bench to celebrate or cheer guys up during breaks.  Lex’s Redshirt Junior season was much like the season before it.  Career 1,000 point scorer Gary Johnson had established himself as the 4, and Texas also brought in 5 star Freshman forward Tristan Thompson.  Thompson dominated from day 1.  That meant more bench time for Wangmene.  Still, he didn’t pout.  He came in for spot duty and played well.  He did the dirty work and went about his business.  He knew his time would come.

Coming into this season, Texas knew Wangmene would be a major part of their success.  He was the guy they knew could defend the post, rebound and score when needed.  Like Chapman, Wangmene has made the most out of his opportunity.  He has been solid for the Horns both on and off the court.  His 15 points and 13 rebounds against Kansas State sparked the Longhorns to a comeback win and his defense against the Big 12’s best has kept Texas in a lot of games this year.  In addition to being a force inside for Texas, Wangmene has also helped the Longhorn’s APR.  He earned his degree in French this past December and has been a member of the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll.  He has done everything Rick Barnes has asked him to, and his hard work is finally now being noticed.

Miss Part I of this story?  Read it here.