Big 12 Basketball: Top 5 rising seniors for 2018-19

5. Lagerald Vick, Kansas

Vick was not expected to return to the Jayhawks for 2018-19 but, after going through the entire draft process without hiring an agent, he returned to Kansas on June 29 – over a full week after the draft.

“It was our understanding with Lagerald at the conclusion of the season that he would go pro,” head coach Bill Self said in a press release. “After going through the process and looking at the variety of options, Lagerald felt it was in his best interest to return to Kansas for his senior year. From my standpoint, it will be a bonus to have an experienced player like Lagerald in the mix. He has had an opportunity to think about the direction he is going in his life, and feels confident to return and improve his status. He will join the team next week in time for the second session of summer school.”

The 6-5, 175-pounder has been a role player throughout his entire career with the Jayhawks but saw that role increase in a big way last year, averaging 12.1 points and 4.8 rebounds in 33.1 minutes per game. That was good enough to earn him All-Big 12 honorable mention.

Kansas has an excellent incoming freshmen class that ranks in the top five nationally, headlined by five-star guards Devon Dotson and Quentin Grimes. Those two are expected to slide into the starting lineup next to Vick but, as the lone senior on the roster, his role will only grow – especially given Self’s tendency to rely on his seniors.