by Connor Pelton, SDA Communications Student Assistant
TEMPE, Ariz. – The most elaborate handshake at Arizona State starts off simple enough.
As Shannon Evans II hears his name announced during the pregame starter introductions, he meets fellow senior Austin Witherill at the end of a makeshift tunnel. The guards high-five each other once, then switch their hands for what is known as a reverse or backhanded high five.
After that, things pick up quickly.
Two more normal high fives come next, followed by an intricate finish that features a faux-stepback, head fake, lob off an imaginary backboard, and a between-the-legs windmill dunk.
"That goes back to the summertime," says Evans. "Austin and I were in the hallway just stretching before a workout. We just started doing it and adding to it and thought it looked pretty cool."
The dog days of summer ended up producing the most complex handshake that Witherill is a part of. And that's saying something for someone who is often seen high-fiving in one form or another at all times.
"That is the most involved one I have," Witherill says. "But I have some pretty good ones with our managers and walk-ons. Handshakes are just kind of my thing."
Some start at home
While Witherill waits to greet each starter at the end of the formation, forward Zylan Cheatham catches each player earlier in the line. Cheatham, a Phoenix-native who is sitting out the season after transferring in from San Diego State, has made his presence known this year with spirited personality and reactions on the bench.
That energy translates to his individual handshakes.
As freshman Romello White finds Cheatham, the two exchange a pair of high fives before shaking hands. But instead of ending it there, White and Cheatham trade four fist bumps, then top things off with an intentionally-missed low five that transitions into an individual dance for the duo.
If it looks complicated, it's because it has to be.
"Most of us live at the same apartment," says Cheatham. "So we developed a handshake that starts the same for everyone, and then each of us have little individual things added to the end. But it all starts at our room."
The same goes for the pregame interaction between Cheatham and Evans, which starts with the normal procedure before the two separate with a personalized routine that gets both players even more hyped for the upcoming game.
Bringing the energy
Whether its through handshakes, dancing, or celebrating on the bench, plenty of extracurricular activity is needed to keep things light throughout a season.
According to head coach Bobby Hurley, no player accomplishes that better than Cheatham.
"Z is unbelievable," Hurley says when asked who helps keep the team loose. "Even though he's not playing, he is a funny guy that's always doing something in a good, positive way."
His teammates agree, adding that a high five - or just a glance in his direction - can change the mood no matter where they are.
"He's like that back at the crib too," says White. "But it definitely gets me hyped. I always get hype when I see him celebrating."
With the program closing in on its highest home attendance mark in school history, two more chances await for the chance to catch the team's elaborate celebrations and handshakes at Wells Fargo Arena.
The final series of the season starts Thursday night at 7 p.m. against California, and will conclude on Saturday afternoon on Senior Day when the Sun Devils take on Stanford at 12:30 p.m.
All video by Brianna Davis/ASU Marketing Hub
TEMPE, Ariz. – The most elaborate handshake at Arizona State starts off simple enough.
As Shannon Evans II hears his name announced during the pregame starter introductions, he meets fellow senior Austin Witherill at the end of a makeshift tunnel. The guards high-five each other once, then switch their hands for what is known as a reverse or backhanded high five.
After that, things pick up quickly.
Two more normal high fives come next, followed by an intricate finish that features a faux-stepback, head fake, lob off an imaginary backboard, and a between-the-legs windmill dunk.
"That goes back to the summertime," says Evans. "Austin and I were in the hallway just stretching before a workout. We just started doing it and adding to it and thought it looked pretty cool."
The dog days of summer ended up producing the most complex handshake that Witherill is a part of. And that's saying something for someone who is often seen high-fiving in one form or another at all times.
"That is the most involved one I have," Witherill says. "But I have some pretty good ones with our managers and walk-ons. Handshakes are just kind of my thing."
Some start at home
While Witherill waits to greet each starter at the end of the formation, forward Zylan Cheatham catches each player earlier in the line. Cheatham, a Phoenix-native who is sitting out the season after transferring in from San Diego State, has made his presence known this year with spirited personality and reactions on the bench.
That energy translates to his individual handshakes.
As freshman Romello White finds Cheatham, the two exchange a pair of high fives before shaking hands. But instead of ending it there, White and Cheatham trade four fist bumps, then top things off with an intentionally-missed low five that transitions into an individual dance for the duo.
If it looks complicated, it's because it has to be.
"Most of us live at the same apartment," says Cheatham. "So we developed a handshake that starts the same for everyone, and then each of us have little individual things added to the end. But it all starts at our room."
The same goes for the pregame interaction between Cheatham and Evans, which starts with the normal procedure before the two separate with a personalized routine that gets both players even more hyped for the upcoming game.
Bringing the energy
Whether its through handshakes, dancing, or celebrating on the bench, plenty of extracurricular activity is needed to keep things light throughout a season.
According to head coach Bobby Hurley, no player accomplishes that better than Cheatham.
"Z is unbelievable," Hurley says when asked who helps keep the team loose. "Even though he's not playing, he is a funny guy that's always doing something in a good, positive way."
His teammates agree, adding that a high five - or just a glance in his direction - can change the mood no matter where they are.
"He's like that back at the crib too," says White. "But it definitely gets me hyped. I always get hype when I see him celebrating."
With the program closing in on its highest home attendance mark in school history, two more chances await for the chance to catch the team's elaborate celebrations and handshakes at Wells Fargo Arena.
The final series of the season starts Thursday night at 7 p.m. against California, and will conclude on Saturday afternoon on Senior Day when the Sun Devils take on Stanford at 12:30 p.m.
All video by Brianna Davis/ASU Marketing Hub