K-State, KU well represented on preseason all-Big 12 team: Dean Wade is player of year

For just the second time in league history, Kansas State has the Big 12’s preseason men’s basketball player of the year.

Senior forward Dean Wade received that honor Wednesday, selected by a vote of the conference’s coaches. He joins former guard Jacob Pullen (2010) as the only Wildcats to earn the distinction.

K-State and Kansas, widely considered to be the two top teams in the Big 12, had plenty of representation on the all-league teams. KU’s Dedric Lawson is the newcomer of the year, while Quentin Grimes was chosen as freshman of the year.

Wade was the only unanimous choice for the all-Big 12 first team, joined there by teammate Barry Brown and also Lawson. KU’s Grimes and Udoka Azubuike also earned honorable mention.

The Big 12 preseason poll will be released Thursday.

Preseason Player of the Year: Dean Wade, K-State

Preseason Newcomer of the Year: Dedric Lawson, Kansas

Preseason Freshman of the Year: Quentin Grimes, Kansas

Preseason All-Big 12 Team: Lindell Wigginton, Iowa State; Dedric Lawson, Kansas; Barry Brown, K-State; Dean Wade, K-State; Sagaba Konate, West Virginia

Honorable mention (listed alphabetically by school): Cameron Lard (Iowa State), Udoka Azubuike (Kansas), Quentin Grimes (Kansas), Alex Robinson (TCU), Kerwin Roach II (Texas), Jericho Sims (Texas), Jarrett Culver (Texas Tech).

Jesse Newell

Jesse Newell covers University of Kansas athletics for The Star.