Cody Wichmann Returns for Final Year

Panthers Guard/Forward Cody Wichmann is returning to school and the team for his final year. He is starting to fulfill a new role as one of the veteran leaders of the team by leading by example.

Some things you may not know about Wichmann are that he has some unique hobbies outside of basketball. He like playing golf with his teammates once or twice a week. He often plays a few rounds with fellow forward Dan Studer against guards Brock Stull and Baylor Peterson and often beats them.

“Golfing is one of those things where if you’re not having a good day you hate it,” said Wichmann. “But once you have a good shot, you love it.”

Wichmann and his friends and teammates often go out and have volleyball and paintball tournaments with one another. They also like watching comedy movies once a week. Wichmann’s favorite movie to watch is “Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story”. While he and his teammates have a lot of fun, there can still be drama off the court.

This past offseason was one the team and university would like to forget with the firing of beloved head coach Rob Jeter. In the wake of his firing, many players left through transferring to different schools (one student followed Jeter to UNLV). Wichmann had thoughts of transferring as well, he even had the release papers in his hands. After talking with his coaches and parents, Wichmann decided to stay with his remaining teammates and finish out his degree in accounting.

“I just really wanted to finish what I started here,” said Wichmann “I couldn’t imagine leaving them and I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else besides Milwaukee.”

With Wichmann returning, the Panthers gain another veteran who can show the new guys the ropes and show them around the university. Wichmann says it is a new experience for him being one of the go-to guys for veteran leadership and that they have to stick together.

“All of the guys in recent years showed me what to do and how to be a better leader,” Wichmann shares. “I think I’m ready for this role.”

One way to be a good leader is to have a good connection with the coach. Wichmann has been communicating with new coach LaVall Jordan and getting to know him better. They often talk to each other about basketball, school and life. He describes Jordan as a player’s coach who also has a lot a similarities with Jeter.

“He’s easy to talk to, he gets on you when need to be pushed in practice,” said Wichmann. “He’s going to be a good fit for us.”

In past seasons, Wichmann would come off the bench and provide the Panthers with outside shooting. Now this upcoming season, he is likely to start the season and hopes to still have that touch with the basketball like NBA players, former player Ray Allen and Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry.

“Last year I shot the ball pretty well, hope I can mimic the same thing,” Wichmann shared.

Besides shooting ability, Wichmann also hopes he can improve on his speed, defense, and playmaking and moving without the ball. With a new team and an upcoming season not knowing what to expect, He wants to be sure that they are fully prepared and ready.

“We don’t know what’s going to happen,” Wichmann said. “But us sticking together is a big part.”

The Panthers face an uncertain season, but Wichmann believes he and his teammates have great chemistry and a tight bond as friends.

“We just do everything as a team,” said Wichmann. “We’ve been really clicking and I think that’s going to pay off on the court this year.”

Once the season is over, Wichmann has a bright future. He plans to graduate and walk off the stage with a degree in accounting. He said if he does continue to play basketball, he might go overseas (preferably France). If he doesn’t continue playing, he plans on pursuing a career in accounting. Regardless where he goes, you can count on the fact that he will do it all with a basketball in his hands.