By Joanna Chadwick

At 6-foot-4, Kapaun junior Ella Anciaux can control the lane with her rebounding and shot-blocking ability.

But she sure does love to bring the ball up the court and knock down a three-pointer or a mid-range jumper.

Wichita State women’s basketball coach “Keitha Adams has always been very vocal with me about how she loves that I don’t have just a back-to-the-basket, center, post game,” Anciaux said. “She’s always loved that I can take the ball outside. I can shoot the ball. She doesn’t want me in the middle of the lane all the time.

“I can go down on the offensive end and make a three. The next time I can get an and-one down low. Next I can rebound and block shots.

“She sees how I love my style of play and loves everything about that, too. It fits perfectly.”

So perfectly, in fact, that on Thursday, Anciaux committed to Wichita State, one of three Division I colleges to offer her.

“I just love their program,” said Anciaux, who averaged 20 points, 11 rebounds and three blocked shots. “I love their coaches, and I love the vision that they have for the program. It’s something that I think is really special and something that I want to be a part of.

“Staying at home and being a part of the community gives me a really good platform to be an advocate for women’s basketball in Kansas and Wichita.

“…. It makes me really excited to stay home and have my family come and watch me play.”

Anciaux planned to make her commitment after the summer AAU season, likely committing in late July or early August.

But COVID-19 scuttled her plans.

“I thought I had the best opportunity I needed,” she said. “I didn’t need to search for any other opportunities. I didn’t see the need in waiting. I was so excited about this opportunity.”