It’s a dream for several athletes from Kansas to play for either Kansas State University or Kansas University.
For St. John-Hudson High School’s Dean Wade, that dream is becoming a reality.
Wade has verbally committed to play basketball for Kansas State.
The decision came last weekend.
“We went to Manhattan for a visit on Friday and stayed there Friday night and Saturday night,” Wade said. “I committed on Sunday.
“I really liked everything about Kansas State. I liked the coaching staff. They’re very family oriented. They do everything together. I really liked that.”
Kansas State was one of many schools interested in the 6-foot-9 senior.
Wade had his list narrowed down to Iowa, Creighton, Vanderbilt, Wichita State and Kansas State.
The Wildcats won him over because how good a fit it was, according to Wade.
The dream to play in college was one Wade had for years.
“Since I was little,” Wade said. “I liked football when I was younger, but then I started to grow taller and I was skinny, so I started to focus on basketball.”
The focus on basketball has led to a prosperous past couple of years for St. John-Hudson High School
The Tigers have a Class 1A Division-I state title when Wade was a sophomore and a 2A state title from last year.
As a freshman, Wade averaged 8.8 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. He missed part of that year with a broken foot from the football season.
As a sophomore, St. John went 25-1.
Wade averaged 22.6 minutes per game, scoring 16.1 points and grabbing 8.4 rebounds per game.
Last year as a junior, Wade averaged 22 points and eight rebounds per game on 19 minutes.
This year, St. John head basketball coach Clint Kinnamon said Wade is looking even better.
“Part of where he’s improved over the summer was athletically,” Kinnamon said. “I know that’s not what other coaches want to hear, but he’s more athletic than he was last year.
“His skill has gotten better. He’s developed more of an alpha dog in him. He’s going to get the rebounds he wants. He’s going to get the putbacks he wants.”
He also plays defense, averaging 3.8 blocks per game.
This year, Wade will return to attempt a repeat of the 2A state title.
“I want to bring home another state title,” Wade said of his final season in high school. “I want to get better and help my teammates get better.”