THE WINNER: Dean Wade

THE BASICS

School: St. John (Kan.)
Grade: Senior
Position: Forward
Height: 6-foot-9
Weight: 225 pounds

Athletic achievement: He led the Tigers to a 26-0 record and a third consecutive Class 2A state championship this past season. In the 49-44, title-clinching win over Central Plains, Wade collected 28 points and 13 rebounds, concluding his prep career with 58 straight victories. A McDonald’s All-American Game nominee, Wade averaged 24.8 points, 9.8 rebounds, 3.7 steals, 3.4 assists and 2.9 blocks per game. Also a returning Kansas Basketball Coaches Association Class 2A First Team All-State selection, he shot 72.5 percent from the field, 42.5 percent from 3-point range and 76.2 percent from the free-throw line in his final prep campaign.

Academic excellence: Wade has maintained a 3.29 GPA.

Exemplary character: A member of his school’s band and Kansas Association for Youth Club, he has donated his time as a youth basketball instructor, on behalf of his church’s youth group and as part of multiple fundraising campaigns to benefit St. John High.

THE PRAISE

“I have seen a lot of great basketball talent over the years, and Wade is the best all-around player I have seen in quite some time,” said Brett Rolfs, head coach of rival Central Plains High. “I have never seen a player of his size as multi-tooled as he is. He can play the one all the way to the five. He has great ball-handling skills, vision of the court, and an outstanding jump shot, and he has great knowledge of the game that has helped him craft all the aforementioned skills.”

THE FUTURE: Wade has signed with Kansas State.