DETROIT (10/8/2024) -- Keep working. That is a statement that men's basketball freshman Chase Kuiper knows all too well. He accepts it, thrives on it, and as he gets ready for his freshman season, Kuiper is out to show everyone what he can bring to the red, white and blue. 

Kuiper is one of the team's 11 newcomers and one of the six true freshmen. He is also a walk-on, a student-athlete who is here because he chose to be here. He wants to be a Titan, to play Division I at the highest level. 

"It is just who I am," said Kuiper. "I have always pushed myself to be the best and play the best. I love competition, and playing against the best will only improve you."

Kuiper played four years at Troy High School. As a senior, the Detroit Free Press named him All-State after he tallied 19.1 points and 10.1 rebounds per game. He led the Colts to a school-record 20 straight wins and a 22-2 record, claiming two straight conference titles. However, he wanted to play Division I, and the offer wasn't there until head coach Mark Montgomery and the Titans stepped in. 

"It was close to home, and I like what the coaches are building," said Kuiper. "We have a great history and the coaches are doing a great job at rebuilding the program."

Kuiper comes from a sports family. Both of his parents played basketball and he grew up playing baseball, football and soccer, until basketball took over. 

In high school, Kuiper developed into one of the best players on the team through an unmatched work ethic and a will to be the best. He had individual and team success as a prep and at the AAU level, but he soon realized in summer practice that he would have to pick it up a notch to play at this level.

"Just the speed and intensity is so different," said Kuiper. "Everything is demanded at a higher level. You have to play at a higher level and practices are more physical. You have to compete harder than you ever have. The speed is my biggest adjustment. In high school, we did'nt always play fast and now we are going quicker, everything is just faster."

For the rookie, he knows that he wants to show everyone the kind of player he is, the kind of player everyone missed out on. That chip is big enough to motivate anyone, but an even bigger chip has Kuiper and the rest of the Titans filled with motivation. 

"There is definitely a chip on our shoulders when we are practicing, running, conditioning, lifting weights," said Kuiper. "We know what this program went through last year. Everyone knows us as the one-win team and we need to change that. We are getting better every single day. We work hard, and the energy is there. Not everything is perfect, but we are growing and getting better."

Kuiper will keep on doing what he has done his entire life. He came here because of the opportunity to be a Titan and to compete. The coaching staff is all about competition, and he knows that if he keeps working, he will have his chance. 

"Everyone has a chance to work their way in. I am someone who is going to do the little things. I can knock down shots, but I will hustle, compete every play and do anything I can to help the team win. There is great energy at every practice, and the coaches demand the best out of you," added Kuiper.