Basketball is more than just a game for Oak Hills senior Wil Kraus, whose impact on the team goes beyond the scoreboard. As his final season as a Highlander came to a close, each game carried more meaning than the last, not just in statistics or points per game but in lessons, discipline, and the relationships he built with teammates along the way.
Kraus had been around the game of basketball for as long as he could remember. His decision to play for Oak Hills came easily. The decision to continue with the program was filled with competition and passion for the game. “ I decided to play basketball because I loved to compete, and I couldn’t go without playing a sport.”
Throughout his high school career with the Highlanders, Kraus has embraced the role that does not always show up on the scoreboard, averaging around five points per game. He focuses a lot on the “ dirty work”; Kraus averaged 3.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.2 in turnovers, and a free-throw percentage of 60. His contribution reflects a team-first mentality.
Preparation had been a major factor in the team’s success, especially during the playoffs. Practice during the postseason shifts dramatically. The regular season is more physically demanding, as the postseason is more detailed and strategy-focused, allowing Kraus and his teammates to better understand their opponents. Kraus states, “ Postseason is a lot more in-depth. It is not as hard on your body; it’s more focused based on learning the plays.”
Kraus says that head coach Mike Price has a significant influence in shaping the program, both on and off the court. “A lot of Coach Price’s help for me personally is off the court stuff, not so much basketball, but all of our classroom meetings, and he shows interviews from coaches and articles that help me grow as a person.” Coach Price emphasizes discipline and personal development.
Teammate Brady Kornmann has seen Kraus’ growth firsthand, having known him since first grade. “ His love and passions for his teammates, his ability to compete, and his ability to still be there for his guys.” Kornmann then describes Kraus’s growth by saying, “Will has changed in many ways, not just physically but mentally, once he realized he could compete with the highest level.”
Balancing school and sports can be demanding, with daily practices, games, and scheduled workouts throughout the week, but Kraus still loves playing basketball. “ Just going from school to basketball for two hours, it was definitely tiring, but I loved it.” Even though basketball is a lot of hard work and discipline, he credits everything to Coach Price. “ This goes back to everything from Coach Price, it is a lot of discipline, you get out what you put in. You have to be disciplined, you have to be dedicated, if you want something in life, you have to work for it. And if you do work for it and put in the time, it is gonna be worth it.”
While Kraus credits basketball for multiple lifelong friendships and being a major part of his high school career, his future lies on the baseball field. Kraus plans to continue his athletic career playing for the Wright State Raiders baseball team. But the lessons he learned on the basketball court will always stay with him.
