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Big 12 Basketball: Breaking down each program’s 2018 recruiting class

By Tristan Freeman

KANSAS CITY, MO - MARCH 10: The Kansas Jayhawks celebrate with the trophy after defeating the West Virginia Mountaineers 81-70 to win the Big 12 Basketball Tournament Championship game at Sprint Center on March 10, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO - MARCH 10: The Kansas Jayhawks celebrate with the trophy after defeating the West Virginia Mountaineers 81-70 to win the Big 12 Basketball Tournament Championship game at Sprint Center on March 10, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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AMES, IA – JANUARY 24: Kamau Stokes (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images)
AMES, IA – JANUARY 24: Kamau Stokes (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images) /

Kansas State Wildcats

Class rankings: 9th in the Big 12, 99th nationally

Commitments: Shaun Williams (225) and Austin Trice (17th JC)

Even though Kansas State has the second-worst recruiting class for 2018, the team is still set to have a great year thanks to the returning seniors Dean Wade, Barry Brown and Kamau Stokes.

The two commits for the Wildcats offer different value to the program. Trice was one of the top Junior College transfers available for next season, as he provides depth that was missing for them in the 2018 NCAA Tournament. The 6’7 forward is a rebounding and defensive asset, allowing Wade to perform on the offensive end without having to guard the team’s best post player. He has two years left of eligibility and will be the top frontcourt player for Kansas State for the 2020 season.

Williams will be an interesting piece in terms of how he’ll be used. Cartier Diarra is the current backup for Stokes and could be a breakout candidate for the 2019-20 once he becomes the starter. Because he shot over 40% from three-point range last season, he could slide to the off-ball position if Williams is deemed capable of handling the ball for Kansas State in the future.

Considering the Wildcats only needing frontcourt depth, this was a solid recruiting class for the team. The key for the program will be the upcoming recruiting class, having to replace their best players without avoiding the expected dropoff.

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