Dean Wade used to look up to All-Big 12 players like Perry Ellis and Georges Niang. He considered them the gold standard for forwards when he arrived at Kansas State as a skinny, timid freshman and wondered if he would ever come close to matching their levels of consistent dominance.
Today, young basketball players across the league look at Wade the same way.
The junior K-State forward seems destined for a spot on one of the Big 12’s all-conference teams after guiding the Wildcats past Baylor 77-67 on Saturday at Bramlage Coliseum. Maybe the first team. Wade had 25 points and seven rebounds, impressing Baylor coach Scott Drew to the point he wondered aloud if he and teammate Barry Brown might turn pro.