Big 12 Basketball: Who is the 2017-18 star player on each team in the conference?

Kansas – Devonte’ Graham

13.4 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 4.1 apg, 1.5s pg, 39 3P% (94 makes)

Devonte’ Graham has quietly been very productive throughout his Kansas career. Graham was the third option on offense last year and the fourth option the year before, but this season he has a chance to be the go-to guy for Kansas.

Graham is a 6’2″ point guard who is an excellent three-point shooter and floor general. He shot 39% from three last season and also excelled in taking care of the ball (2.28:1 assist-to-turnover ratio). Graham played in a two point guard lineup with Frank Mason, which made the Jayhawks a very dangerous offensive team. Kansas could play a similar lineup this season with Graham and scoring guard Malik Newman, but Graham will see a bigger role in the offense.

Kansas has consistently finished at the top of the Big 12 and this year should be no different. The Jayhawks have the best team on paper and given their track record, it would be foolish to pick against them. As the best player on the best team, Graham will be a serious contender for Big 12 Player of the Year. However, Graham’s case for the award could be hurt by the fact that he has a better supporting cast than someone like Jevon Carter.

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Expect Graham to average around 15 ppg and 6 apg and lead the Jayhawks in both categories. Similar to Manu Lecomte from earlier in the article, if Graham leads Kansas in scoring and assists it will be easy to anoint him as Kansas’ best player.