Big 12 Basketball: Top 5 rising seniors for 2018-19
By Brian Rauf
2. Dean Wade, Kansas State
Wade is the only player on this list who was a first-team All-Big 12 selection last season and was widely viewed as the Wildcats’ best player. The 6-10, 228-pounder led Kansas State in points (16.3) and rebounds (6.2) while also ranking third on the team in assists (2.7), showing just how skilled this big man is.
In fact, former Texas center Mo Bamba – the No. 6 overall pick in the draft by the Orlando Magic – called Wade the toughest player he faced in college because of that versatility.
“I’d say one of the toughest players that I played against as far as just scouting, like, this was the first player that I looked at as far as tendencies and seeing what he does, is Dean Wade,” Bamba told The Athletic. “He’s super talented. He’s about 6-foot-9 but can really move, and it was a challenge defensively.”
Wade’s playmaking and decision-making are key to Kansas State’s offense and ball movement, but most importantly, he’s perhaps their most reliable player. If K-State is going to deliver on their lofty expectations, they need Wade to be that consistent rock of production.