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

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LAWRENCE, KS – JANUARY 13: Barry Brown Jr. #5 of the Kansas State Wildcats lays the ball up against Devonte’ Graham #4 of the Kansas Jayhawks in the second half at Allen Fieldhouse on January 13, 2018 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images) /

1. Barry Brown Jr., Kansas State

You could easily flip Wade and Brown on this list, but given how crucial Brown was to K-State’s NCAA Tournament run without Wade, I give him the nod in our top spot.

A second-team All-Big 12 selection last year, Brown was second on the Wildcats in both scoring (15.9) and assists (3.2), but it was his defense and athleticism that really turned heads late in the season. He already ranks third on Kansas State’s career steals list and routinely shut down the opponent’s best player during the NCAA Tournament, spearheading a defense that only allowed 59.5 points during that run.

Brown proved his worth offensively with 11 games with at least 20 points during the regular season, including two games with at last 34 points, but consistency largely escaped him. He found it in March as he led the Wildcats in scoring in their first two NCAA Tournament games while scoring in double figures in all four.

Next: Breaking down each Big 12 recruiting class for 2018

If he can carry over the kind of consistency to the new season, Brown will be one of the best all-around players in the country and a favorite to win conference player of the year.

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