By Tom Gilbert K-State Athletics Communications
(Photo Courtesy Kansas State Athletics)
Incoming freshman Dean Wade (St. John, Kansas/St. John) was among 30 high school seniors named to the 2015 PARADE All-America Boys Basketball Team on Friday.
The 6-foot-9, 225-pound forward was the only player from the state of Kansas selected to the team and one of only three Big 12 signees, including Kansas’ Chieck Diallo and Oklahoma State’s Jawun Evans, among the 30 seniors. It was the first high school All-America accolade for Wade, who was also named the 2014-15 Gatorade Kansas Boys Basketball Player of the Year and Mr. Kansas Basketball by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association (KBCA).
A four-year lettermen at St. John High School in St. John, Kansas, Wade helped the Tigers to an 86-6 overall record during his prep career, including three state championships (Class 1A-1 and Class 2A) and consecutive perfect 26-0 seasons in 2013-14 and 2014-15. He scored 1,749 points in his career on 67 percent shooting to go with 752 rebounds, 214 blocks, 182 steals and 176 assists. He scored in double figures in 60 of his last 63 games with 38 20-point games, five 30-point games and one 40-point game. He also totaled 22 double-doubles and three triple-doubles in his last three seasons.
As a senior, Wade guided St. John to a perfect 26-0 record and a third consecutive state title capped by his 13th double-double of the season with game-highs in both points (28) and rebounds (13) in the 49-44 win over Central Plains in the state championship game at Bramlage Coliseum on March 14. He finished his prep career with 58 consecutive victories.
For the season, Wade averaged 25.2 points on 73.2 percent shooting, including 48.4 percent from 3-point range, with 9.5 rebounds, 3.9 steals, 3.3 assists and 3.0 blocks in just 19.5 minutes per game. He led the squad in 10 categories, including scoring, field goals made, field goal percentage, rebounding, steals and blocks. He was also selected First Team All-State by the Topeka Capital-Journal and Wichita Eagle for the second straight season.
Wade will be among six new players for Kansas State in 2015-16, as the Wildcats return seven lettermen, including four players will starting experience. Senior guard Justin Edwards (6.3 ppg., 3.3 rpg.) is the team’s top returner in both scoring and steals (37), while junior forward Wesley Iwundu (5.8 ppg., 3.5 rpg.) is the leading returner in rebounding (108), assists (61), blocks (20) and minutes (780).
