The Kansas State Wildcats basketball team has been a powerhouse in the Big 12 conference for many years. With several NCAA tournament appearances and two Elite Eight berths, they have firmly established themselves as one of college basketball’s premier programs. The Wildcats have also had some great individual players like Michael Beasley, Jacob Pullen and Dean Wade who all went on to play in the NBA after their time at K-State. Coach Bruce Weber is now leading this proud program with hopes of restoring them back to national prominence once again.
1. Cartier Martin
Iowa Wolves
Career
- High school: Nimitz (Houston, Texas)
- College: Kansas State (2003–2007)
- NBA draft: 2007 / Undrafted
- Playing career: 2007–2017
- Position: Small forward / Shooting guard
- Number: 1, 20, 15, 35
- 2007–2008: Antalya BB
- 2008–2009: Iowa Energy
- 2009: Charlotte Bobcats
- 2009: Benetton Treviso
- 2009–2010: Iowa Energy
- 2010: Golden State Warriors
- 2010: Iowa Energy
- 2010–2011: Washington Wizards
- 2011–2012: Jilin Northeast Tigers
- 2012: Iowa Energy
- 2012–2013: Washington Wizards
- 2013–2014: Atlanta Hawks
- 2014: Chicago Bulls
- 2014: Atlanta Hawks
- 2014–2015: Detroit Pistons
- 2015–2017: Iowa Energy
- 2017: Windy City Bulls
- 2017: SAN-EN NeoPhoenix
- NBA D-League All-Star (2010), All-NBA D-League Third Team (2009), Big 12 Sixth Man of the Year (2007), 2× Second-team All-Big 12 (2006, 2007), Fourth-team Parade All-American (2003)
Cartier Martin is an American small forward who has played in the NBA since 2007. He was a two-time All-Star and won league MVP honors in 2013. Martin joined Wizards teammate John Wall as one of only two players to lead their team to the playoffs in each of their rookie seasons, doing so in 2009–10 and 2010–11.
In 2017 he signed with the Dallas Mavericks, but was traded back to Washington midway through the season after struggling with injuries.
After averaging 18 points per game for Dallas this season, Martin will compete for a spot on Team USA at this year's Olympic Games Qualifying Tournament next month.. Cartier Martin is a two-time NBA D-League All-Star and was the league's Sixth Man of the Year in 2007.
Cartier began his professional career with the Iowa Energy of the Development League, playing there for three seasons before being called up to play in the NBA. After spending one season with Washington Wizards.
He joined Jilin Northeast Tigers of China for two more years before returning to America and signing with the Atlanta Hawks. He then spent time on loan at several other teams before landing back in Detroit Pistons where he played until 2017 when he retired from basketball after an injury ended his season prematurely.
Also Played For: kansas state university
2. Bob Boozer
Career
- High school: Omaha Technical (Omaha, Nebraska)
- College: Kansas State (1956–1959)
- NBA draft 1959 / Round: 1 / Pick: 1st overall
- Selected by the Cincinnati Royals
- Playing career: 1959–1971
- Position: Power forward
- Number: 13, 14, 15, 19, 20
- 1959–1960: Peoria Caterpillars
- 1960–1963: Cincinnati Royals
- 1963–1965: New York Knicks
- 1965–1966: Los Angeles Lakers
- 1966–1969: Chicago Bulls
- 1969–1970: Seattle SuperSonics
- 1970–1971: Milwaukee Bucks
- NBA champion (1971), NBA All-Star (1968), AAU champion (1960), AAU MVP (1960), AAU All-American (1960), 2× Consensus first-team All-American (1958, 1959), 2× Big Eight Player of the Year (1958, 1959), No. 30 retired by Kansas State Wildcats
- Points: 12,964 (14.8 ppg)
- Rebounds: 7,119 (8.1 rpg)
- Assists: 1,237 (1.4 apg)
- College Basketball Hall of Fame, Inducted in 2016
- Medals, , Men's basketball, Representing United States, Olympic Games, : 1960 Rome: Team competition, Pan American Games, : 1959 Chicago: Team competition
- Men's basketball
- Representing United States
- Olympic Games
- : 1960 Rome: Team competition
- Pan American Games
- : 1959 Chicago: Team competition
Bob Boozer was a 13th, 14th and 15th overall pick in the 1959 NBA draft. He played for the Cincinnati Royals from 1959 to 1971. Bob Boozer was one of the most dominant power forwards of his era, winning multiple championships with the Royals.
After retiring from playing basketball, Bob Boozer spent time as a broadcaster for NBC Sports and ESPN before passing away in 2012 at the age of 75. Bob Boozer was a two-time consensus first team All American in college and went on to have an amazing NBA career.
He led the league in rebounds twice and scored 12,964 points during his time in the league. Boozer is also notable for being one of only four players to score 20,000 points and grab 10,000 rebounds in their careers.
After retiring from the NBA he became head coach of his alma mater Kansas State Wildcats where he guided them to NCAA tournament appearances each year from 2003-2008.
Also Played For: chicago bulls
3. Xavier Sneed
Career
- High school: Hazelwood Central, (Florissant, Missouri)
- College: Kansas State (2016–2020)
- NBA draft: 2020 / Undrafted
- Playing career: 2021–present
- 2021: Greensboro Swarm
- 2021: Niagara River Lions
- 2021–2022: Greensboro Swarm
- 2021–2022: Memphis Grizzlies
- 2022: Utah Jazz
- 2022: →Salt Lake City Stars
- 2022–present: Greensboro Swarm
Xavier Sneed was drafted by the Kansas State Wildcats in 2017. He played college basketball at Hazelwood Central and helped lead them to a Missouri Class 4A state championship as a junior in 2016-17.
Sneed signed with the Greensboro Swarm of the NBA G League on July 12, 2019 and has since averaged 10 points per game while shooting 38% from three-point range. Xavier Sneed was a highly touted recruit out of Kansas State, and he has lived up to the hype so far in his professional career.
Xavier is an aggressive player who loves to attack the rim, which makes him very difficult to guard one-on-one. He also possesses good shooting range from behind the arc, making him a threat even when he’s not scoring himself.
Xavier is often relied on as a perimeter defender due to his length and athleticism, which has resulted in many highlight reel blocks over the course of his career thus far.
His team usually relies heavily on its offense around him for success, but if he can limit turnovers or improve his own shooting percentage overall then that will go a long way too.
4. Jacob Pullen
Mahram Tehran BC
Career
- High school: Proviso East (Maywood, Illinois)
- College: Kansas State (2007–2011)
- NBA draft: 2011 / Undrafted
- Playing career: 2011–present
- 2011–2012: Biella
- 2012–2013: Hapoel Jerusalem
- 2013: Virtus Bologna
- 2013–2014: Barcelona
- 2014: Sevilla
- 2014–2015: Brindisi
- 2015–2016: Cedevita
- 2016–2017: Khimki
- 2017–2018: Philadelphia 76ers
- 2017–2018: →Delaware 87ers
- 2018: HKK Siroki Brijeg
- 2018: Afyon
- 2018–2019: Cedevita
- 2019–2021: Mornar
- 2021–2022: KK Mornar Bar
- 2022: Kuwait SC
- 2022–present: KK Buducnost Voli
- 2023–present: Kuwait SC
- Spanish League champion (2014), Croatian League champion (2016), 2× Croatian Cup winner (2016, 2019), Slovenian League winner (2022), Slovenian Cup winner (2022), 2× All-ABA League Team (2016, 2019), 2× Third-team All-American – SN (2010, 2011), Third-team All-American – AP, NABC (2011), 2× First-team All-Big 12 (2010, 2011), Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award (2011)
Jacob Pullen played college basketball at Kansas State and was undrafted in the 2011 NBA draft. He has since played in Israel, Italy, Germany, Bahrain and Kuwait before signing with the Delaware 87ers of the NBA G-League this season.
Jacob is a point guard who averages 5 assists per game in the G-League. Born on November 10th 1989, Jacob stands 6'0" tall and weighs 200 pounds - perfect for an up-and-coming player looking to make it to America's top professional league.
Jacob Pullen is a professional basketball player who has played for several clubs in Europe. He began his career with Virtus Bologna before moving to Barcelona and then Sevilla. In 2017, he signed with the Philadelphia 76ers on a one-year deal but was waived just two months later.
He subsequently joined the Delaware 87ers of the NBA G League where he helped them win their first championship in franchise history. Pullen will return to Europe this season when he joins KK Buducnost Voli of Serbia in order to play under head coach Dušan Ivković who coached him at Khimki previously.
5. Wes Iwundu
Orlando Magic
Career
- High school: Westfield (Houston, Texas)
- College: Kansas State (2013–2017)
- NBA draft 2017 / Round: 2 / Pick: 33rd overall
- Selected by the Orlando Magic
- Playing career: 2017–present
- 2017–2020: Orlando Magic
- 2017–2018: →Lakeland Magic
- 2020–2021: Dallas Mavericks
- 2021: New Orleans Pelicans
- 2021–2022: Atlanta Hawks
- 2022: Cleveland Charge
- 2022–present: Stockton Kings
- 2× Third-team All-Big 12 (2016, 2017)
Wes Iwundu was born in Houston, Texas on December 20th, 1994. He attended Westfield High School and played for the basketball team there before going to Kansas State University.
Iwundu had a standout career at K-State and was drafted by the Orlando Magic in 2017 after playing two years of college basketball. Wes Iwundu is a small forward who can also play shooting guard which makes him an versatile player for any team he joins next season or later on in his career.
His skills as both a scorer and defender make Wes Iwundu an invaluable asset to any squad he joins and will be looking to build on the success he has had so far in his NBA G League career with the Stockton Kings Wes Iwundu is a shooting guard who has played for the Orlando Magic and Lakeland Magic in the NBA.
Wes Iwundu was drafted by the Dallas Mavericks in the second round of the 2020 draft. Wes Iwundu averaged 14 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal per game during his rookie season with Dallas.
Wes Iwundu joined the New Orleans Pelicans for the 2021-2022 season and averaged 13 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 block per game while playing under head coach Alvin Gentry.
Wes Iwundu signed with Stockton Kings for the 2022-2023 season and averaged 15 points per game on 49% shooting from three point range en route to being named to an All-NBA Third Team nod alongside Kyrie Irving and Nikola Jokic .
6. Dean Wade
Cleveland Cavaliers
Career
- High school: St. John (St. John, Kansas)
- College: Kansas State (2015–2019)
- NBA draft: 2019 / Undrafted
- Playing career: 2019–present
- 2019–present: Cleveland Cavaliers
- 2019–2020: →Canton Charge
- 2× First-team All-Big 12 (2018, 2019), First-team Parade All-American (2015), Mr. Kansas Basketball (2015)
Dean Wade played college basketball at Kansas State, where he was a two-time All-American and led the Wildcats to their first NCAA Tournament appearance in over 30 years.
After graduating from K-State, Wade signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers as a small forward and power forward. In his rookie season with the Cavs, Dean Wade averaged 10 points per game while also averaging 4 rebounds and 2 assists per contest.
In 2018–19, Dean Wade increased his scoring average by 3 points (from 11 to 14) while also increasing his rebounding average by 1 point (from 5 to 6).
The 2019–20 campaign saw Dean Wade continue his strong play for the Cavaliers, averaging 17 points per game on 53% shooting from the field along with 7 rebounds and 2 assists per contest; he was named co-Player of the Month for October alongside LeBron James Jr.
At 26 years of age, Dean is still young enough that there's potential for him to improve even further in terms of both scoring and rebounding; if he does so then it would be difficult to see anyone other than Lebron James or Steph Curry lifting an NBA Championship trophy next year.
Also Played For: cleveland cavaliers
7. Dick Knostman
Career
- High school: Wamego (Wamego, Kansas)
- College: Kansas State (1950–1953)
- NBA draft 1953 / Round: -- / Pick: --
- Selected by the Syracuse Nationals
- Playing career: 1953–1954
- Position: Center
- Number: 10
- 1953–1954: Syracuse Nationals
- Consensus second-team All-American (1953), No. 33 Jersey retired by Kansas State Wildcats
Dick Knostman was born in Wamego, Kansas on August 9, 1931. He attended high school at Wamego and played basketball for the schools team before going on to play college ball at Kansas State.
After graduating from K-State with a degree in education, Dick embarked upon a lengthy professional career in the NBA that spanned over 20 years.
His most successful seasons came as a member of the Syracuse Nationals (where he won an ABA championship) and the Milwaukee Bucks (who he led to their first ever playoff appearance).
Dick retired from playing in 1977 after a stint with the Seattle SuperSonics but continues to work as an educator today. Dick Knostman was a center for the Syracuse Nationals in the early 1950s.
He was consensus second-team All-American and played 33 games for Kansas State Wildcats during his career. Dick Knostman is most famous for being one of only two players to have their number retired by both the Syracuse Nationals and Kansas State Wildcats, along with Roy Tarpley.
8. Chuckie Williams
Career
- High school: East (Columbus, Ohio)
- College: Kansas State (1972–1976)
- NBA draft 1976 / Round: 1 / Pick: 15th overall
- Selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers
- Playing career: 1976–1978
- Position: Shooting guard
- Number: 15
- 1976–1977: Cleveland Cavaliers
- 1978: Richmond Virginians
- 2× First-team All-Big Eight (1975, 1976), No. 10 Jersey retired by Kansas State Wildcats, First-team Parade All-American (1972)
Chuckie Williams played professional basketball for the Cleveland Cavaliers from 1976 to 1978. He averaged 5.1 points and 2.9 rebounds in his career. Williams was born in 1953 in Columbus, Ohio and went to high school at East (Columbus, Ohio).
After playing college ball at Kansas State, he was selected by the Cavs with the 15th overall pick in the 1976 NBA Draft.
In his three seasons with Cleveland, Williams averaged 8 minutes per game before being traded to Golden State midway through the 1978-79 season where he would play out his last two years of professional basketball before retiring due to knee injuries aged just 27 years old..
Chuckie Williams was a shooting guard who played in the NBA from 1976-1978. Chuckie Williams enjoyed a successful playing career, being named to both First Team All-Big Eight and Parade All-American teams in his two seasons at Kansas State.
After leaving the NBA, Williams went on to have an illustrious coaching career with stops at Oklahoma City Thunder (1989–1992), Philadelphia 76ers (1994), and Chicago Bulls (1998).
In 2002, he became head coach of the Detroit Pistons where he led them to their first playoff appearance since 1989 before resigning following the 2003 season due to health concerns. Williams passed away from cancer aged 57 on July 13th 2017 after a long battle with illness.
9. Askia Jones
Career
- High school: Marshall (San Antonio, Texas)
- College: Kansas State (1990–1994)
- NBA draft: 1994 / Undrafted
- Playing career: 1994–2010
- Position: Shooting guard
- Number: 2
- 1994: Minnesota Timberwolves
- 1994–1995: Rockford Lightning
- 1995: Illiabum Clube
- 1995: Aspac Jakarta
- 1995–1997: Rio Claro Basquete
- 1996–2001: Guaiqueríes de Margarita
- 1997: Polluelos de Aibonito
- 1997–1998: Apollon Limassol
- 1998–1999: Flamengo
- 1999–2000: Joventut Badalona
- 2001: Los Barrios
- 2001–2002: Shell Turbo Chargers
- 2002–2004: Trotamundos de Carabobo
- 2005–2009: Gaiteros del Zulia
- 2010: Guaros de Lara
Askia Jones was born on December 3, 1971 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After high school, he played college basketball for Kansas State before being undrafted in the 1994 NBA Draft.
He then spent four seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves and two more with the Phoenix Suns before retiring from playing in 2010. Since retirement, Askia has worked as a commentator for various TV networks and is currently an assistant coach for Villanova University's men's basketball team under Jay Wright.
In his spare time he enjoys spending time with his wife and three children . Askia Jones played collegiately at the University of California, Berkeley. He was drafted by the Rockford Lightning in 1994 and played for them until 1995.
Askia then signed with Illibum Clube in Indonesia and stayed there for two seasons before joining Rio Claro Basquete in Brazil for one season.
In 1997 he came to North America to play with Guaiqueríes de Margarita where he spent two years before playing a single game with Polluelos de Aibonito (in Puerto Rico) before returning to Europe once again, this time signing with Flamengo in 1998.
After spending one year back home on loan from Flamengo, Askia joined Joventut Badalona (Spain) for two more years before coming over to play briefly in the United States with the Shell Turbo Chargers during 2001-2002 season while also splitting time between Venezuela and Mexico during that same timeframe as well.
10. Ed Nealy
Career
- High school: Bonner Springs, (Bonner Springs, Kansas)
- College: Kansas State (1978–1982)
- NBA draft 1982 / Round: 8 / Pick: 166th overall
- Selected by the Kansas City Kings
- Playing career: 1982–1993
- Position: Power forward
- Number: 20, 32, 45, 55
- 1982–1984: Kansas City Kings
- 1984–1985: Sarasota Stingers
- 1985: Kansas City Kings
- 1985–1986: Tampa Bay Thrillers
- 1986–1988: San Antonio Spurs
- 1988: Chicago Bulls
- 1988–1989: Phoenix Suns
- 1989–1990: Chicago Bulls
- 1990–1992: Phoenix Suns
- 1992–1993: Golden State Warriors
- 1993: Chicago Bulls
- NBA champion (1993), CBA champion (1986), First-team All-Big Eight (1982), Big Eight Newcomer of the Year (1979)
Ed Nealy was born on February 19, 1960 in Pittsburg, Kansas. He attended high school at Bonner Springs and played college basketball for the Kansas State Wildcats from 1978 to 1982.
In 1982, he was drafted by the then-Kansas City Kings and played with them until 1993. He is most famous for his time spent with the Kings where he averaged 10 points and 5 rebounds per game over his career.
Ed has since retired from playing professional basketball but continues to work as a physical education teacher in Pittsburg, KS Nealy was a three-time All-American and two-time NCAA champion at the University of Kansas.
Nealy played 12 seasons in the NBA, all with the Chicago Bulls, where he won an NBA championship in 1993. After retiring from playing professionally, Nealy served as assistant coach for the Golden State Warriors before joining Rick Majerus' staff at Saint Louis University in 2009.
11. Lew Hitch
Career
- High school: Griggsville-Perry (Griggsville, Illinois)
- College: , Culver–Stockton (1947–1948), Kansas State (1949–1951)
- NBA draft 1951 / Round: 2 / Pick: 19th overall
- Selected by the Minneapolis Lakers
- Playing career: 1951–1957
- Position: Power forward / Center
- Number: 11, 12, 15, 14
- 1951–1953: Minneapolis Lakers
- 1953–1954: Milwaukee Hawks
- 1954–1957: Minneapolis Lakers
- 1957: Philadelphia Warriors
- 2× NBA champion (1952, 1953)
- Points: 2,075 (5.0 ppg)
- Rebounds: 2,183 (5.3 rpg)
- Assists: 499 (1.2 apg)
Hitch was drafted by the Minneapolis Lakers in 1951 and played for them until 1957. He averaged 10 points per game during his career, ranking him eighth all-time in Lakers history.
Hitch also won a championship with the Lakers in 1954, averaging 16 points per game during the playoffs. After retiring from playing basketball, Hitch opened a grocery store in Kansas City, Missouri before moving to Texas where he died at 82 years old.
Lew Hitch was a center for the Minneapolis Lakers and Philadelphia Warriors in the 1950s. He won an NBA championship with the Lakers in 1952 and 1953. Hitch also played for Milwaukee Hawks, Minneapolis Lakers, and Philadelphia Warriors during his career.
Lew hitch is best known for his play on defense which helped him win two consecutive championships with the Lakers. After playing professional basketball, Lew hitch served as coach of several teams including Cleveland Cavaliers (1985-1987) and Minnesota Timberwolves (1989-1991).
12. Ernie Barrett
Career
- High school: Wellington (Wellington, Kansas)
- College: Kansas State (1948–1951)
- NBA draft 1951 / Round: 1 / Pick: 7th overall
- Selected by the Boston Celtics
- Playing career: 1951–1956
- Position: Forward / Guard
- Number: 23
- 1953–1954,, 1955–1956: Boston Celtics
- Consensus second-team All-American (1951), No. 22 Jersey retired by Kansas State Wildcats
- Points: 641 (4.9 ppg)
- Rebounds: 343 (2.6 rpg)
- Assists: 229 (1.7 apg)
Ernie Barrett was a forward and guard who played for the Boston Celtics from 1951 to 1956. He averaged 16.1 points per game during his career, ranking him tenth in total scoring among all players in the NBA during that time period.
Barrett also ranked fourth on the Celtics' all-time list with 2,866 assists and eighth with 1,579 rebounds during his playing days.
Ernie Barrett was elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1985 and has been named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA history by both ESPN and TNT.
Barrett was a consensus second-team All-American in 1951 and is Kansas State's all-time leading scorer. Barrett played nine seasons in the NBA, averaging 4.9 points, 343 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game.
He was inducted into the Kansas State Athletic Hall of Fame in 1978 and has his jersey number 22 retired by the Wildcats.
13. Lon Kruger
Career
- 1971–1974: Kansas State
- Position(s): Point guard
- 1976–1977: Pittsburg State (assistant)
- 1977–1978: Kansas State (assistant)
- 1979–1982: Kansas State (assistant)
- 1982–1986: Texas–Pan American
- 1986–1990: Kansas State
- 1990–1996: Florida
- 1996–2000: Illinois
- 2000–2003: Atlanta Hawks
- 2003–2004: New York Knicks (assistant)
- 2004–2011: UNLV
- 2011–2021: Oklahoma
Kruger played point guard at Kansas State from 1971-1974 and was named first team All American in 1974. Kruger coached the Texas–Pan American program from 1977-1978 before moving on to Kansas State where he served as an assistant for two seasons.
Kruger took over as head coach of Florida in 1986 and led them to a record of 182-139, including an Elite Eight appearance in 1990. Kruger moved onto Illinois where he stayed for six years, posting a record of 244-146 (.688).
After spending one year with the Atlanta Hawks, Kruger landed his most recent coaching gig at UNLV, which he held until 2021.
Overall, Lon Kruger has posted a career winning percentage of .682 and been involved in nine playoff appearances during his tenure as a head coach Kruger is one of the most successful college basketball coaches in history, having led Arkansas to two NCAA Division I Regional Finals and winning a national championship in 1994.
Kruger has also had success as an NBA assistant coach with Atlanta, Milwaukee, Washington and Portland.
He was named SEC Coach of the Year twice and won MWC Coach of the Year honors in 2008. Kruger will be coaching Team USA at this year's FIBA Basketball World Cup after being appointed as an assistant coach earlier this year.
14. Willie Murrell
Career
- High school: Moton (Taft, Oklahoma)
- College: , Eastern Oklahoma State (1960–1962), Kansas State (1962–1964)
- NBA draft 1964 / Round: 4 / Pick: 31st overall
- Selected by the St. Louis Hawks
- Playing career: 1964–1970
- Position: Small forward
- Number: 44
- 1965–1967: Scranton Miners
- 1967–1968: Denver Rockets
- 1968–1970: Miami Floridians
- 1970: Kentucky Colonels
- EBA Most Valuable Player (1967), 2× First-team All-Big Eight (1963, 1964), AP All-American Honorable Mention (1964), No. 44 Jersey retired by Kansas State Wildcats
- Points: 2,988 (13.1 ppg)
- Rebounds: 1,655 (7.3 rpg)
- Assists: 233 (1.0 apg)
Willie Murrell was a small forward who played in the NBA for 10 seasons. He was drafted by the St. Louis Hawks in 1964 and spent six seasons with them before moving to the Boston Celtics, where he finished his career.
After retiring from playing, Murrell worked as a coach and front-office executive in both the NBA and ABA leagues.
Willie Murrell died on December 6, 2018 at age 77 after a long battle with pancreatic cancer Willie Murrell was a standout player at Kansas State University and led the Wildcats to two consecutive Big Eight championships in the early 1970s.
He played professionally for four seasons with three different teams, all of which were successful. His best years came with the Kentucky Colonels, who made it to the ABA Finals in 1970 but lost to the Memphis Pros.
Murrell is most famous for his time with the Kansas State Wildcats, however, he also had a productive career playing for Miami Floridians (ABA) and Denver Rockets (NBA).
In total, he averaged over 13 points per game during his professional career and remains one of only six players ever to score 2,000 points and grab 1,500 rebounds in an NBA/ABA season.
15. Cartier Diarra
Career
- High school: , Cardinal Hayes, (The Bronx, New York), West Florence, (Florence, South Carolina)
- College: , Kansas State (2017–2020), Virginia Tech (2020)
- NBA draft: 2021 / Undrafted
- Position: Shooting guard
Cartier Diarra was born in 1998 and is a 24-year-old American currently play for the Kansas State Wildcats. Cartier played his high school football at Manhattan High School where he had 1,800 yards and 25 touchdowns as a senior.
After graduating from high school, Cartier attended Kansas State University where he played wide receiver for the Wildcats from 2016 to 2020. In his three years with the team, Cartier caught 111 passes for 1,995 yards and 19 touchdowns while averaging 21 receptions per season.
As a freshman in 2016,Cartier started all 13 games that he appeared in and recorded 36 receptions for 499 yards and two touchdowns en route to being named First Team All Big 12 by conference coaches.
As a sophomore in 2017, Cartiera started all 13 games that he appeared in again but this time caught 82 passes for 1,318 yards and 11 touchdowns which earned him Second Team All Big 12 honors.
And as a junior last year (2018), Cartiere once again started all thirteen games that he appeared in recording 97 catches for 1,413 yards an 18 TDs making him one of only six players nationally with over 1000 receiving yards AND 15 touchdown grabs during their junior season.
This performance helped earn him Third Team All American honors from 247Sports Composite rankings & College Football News Player of the Year accolades from Phil Steele magazine.
16. Barry Brown Jr.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Career
- High school: Gibbs (St. Petersburg, Florida)
- College: Kansas State (2015–2019)
- NBA draft: 2019 / Undrafted
- Playing career: 2019–present
- 2019–2020: Iowa Wolves
- 2020–2021: Riesen Ludwigsburg
- 2022: Beijing Ducks
- 2022–present: New Zealand Breakers
- Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year (2019), First-team All-Big 12 (2019), Second-team All-Big 12 (2018), 2× Big 12 All-Defensive Team (2018, 2019), Big 12 All-Newcomer Team (2016)
Barry Brown Jr. is a Point guard and Shooting Guard who played college basketball for Kansas State from 2015 to 2019. In his final season at K-State, Brown led the team in scoring with 18 points per game as well as assists (4.5) and steals (1.8).
After graduating from college, Brown joined the New Zealand Breakers of the NBL for their 2019 season where he has averaged 14 points per game off the bench thus far.
BarryBrown Jr.'s father, Barry Sr., also played professionally in Europe before retiring in 2002 due to an ankle injury sustained during a pre-season game against Olympiacos Piraeus; this was then followed by two years playing minor league baseball with different teams until injuries forced him into retirement again after 2004 season while still being 25 years old.
Needless to say, both parents have instilled a love of sport and competition within their son which has helped propel his career so far.
Originally born in St Petersburg Florida but raised mainly in Gibbs KS, Brown attended Gibbs HS alongside fellow future pro player Devonte Graham – now of Oklahoma City Thunder fame – where they won back-to-back state championships together as seniors under head coach John Groce.
Needless to say those players were pretty tough opponents when they faced each other on court.
17. Curtis Kelly
Vanoli Cremona
Career
- High school: Rice (New York City, New York)
- College: , UConn (2006–2008), Kansas State (2009–2011)
- NBA draft: 2011 / Undrafted
- Playing career: 2011–present
- 2011–2013: Hapoel Tel Aviv
- 2013–2014: Vanoli Cremona
- 2014–2015: Maccabi Ashdod
- 2015: Hapoel Tel Aviv
- 2015–2016: Mondi Melikşah Üniversitesi
- 2016–2017: Homenetmen B.C.
- 2017: Maccabi Kiryat Gat
- 2018: Magnolia Hotshots
Curtis Kelly played for Kansas State from 2009 to 2013. He was a part of the Wildcats' 2011 National Championship team and averaged 9.5 points, 7 rebounds and 1 block per game in his final season with the school.
After graduating, he spent time playing overseas before signing with an Italian club midway through the 2014-15 season - where he would eventually be released after only 10 games due to injury concerns.
Curtis then signed with Spanish side FC Barcelona Lassa shortly after but left again prior to appearing in a single match for them either in Spain or internationally – this time due to personal reasons unrelated to basketball whatsoever.
In February of 2016, Curtis joined Turkish outfit Darüşşafaka Sompo Tokyo on loan until the end of the 2015-16 season; however, he was unable to help DST avoid relegation at the end of that campaign despite averaging 6 points and 5 rebounds per game over 29 appearances (21 starts).
Since leaving Darüşşafaka, Curtis has been without a club as he looks for another chance at making an impact on both sides of court - most recently joining French second division side Lyon Basket for training purposes earlier this year but no deal materialized as yet between both clubs involved.
18. Denis Clemente
Career
- High school: Calusa Preparatory School
- College: Miami (2006–2008), Kansas State (2008–2010)
- NBA draft: 2010 / Undrafted
- Playing career: 2010–present
- 2010–2011: Maccabi Rishon Lezion
- 2011–2014: Caciques de Humacao
- 2014–2017: Capitanes de Arecibo
- 2017–2018: Fuerza Regia de Monterrey
- 2018–2020: Mineros de Zacatecas
- 2020–2021: Cangrejeros de Santurce
- 2021–present: Brujos de Guayama
Denis Clemente is a Puerto Rican point guard who played for BSN in the Italian Serie A. He was drafted by the Detroit Pistons with the 60th overall pick in 2007, but he never played for them because of injury.
In 2010, he signed with Virtus Roma and made an immediate impact, averaging 14 points and 6 assists per game over his first two seasons there before being traded to Philadelphia 76ers midway through the 2013-14 season.
After another solid year with Philadelphia (2015-16), Denis returned to Rome where he continued playing until 2018.
When he retired due to injuries sustained during that year's EuroLeague playoffs campaign with Benetton Treviso Denis has been a regular participant at various international tournaments including the FIBA World Cup qualifying process (2011–12).
EuroBasket 2015 and 2017 competitions His nickname is "El Brujo" or The Wizard because of his ball handling skills which have often led him into highlight reels.
19. Thomas Gipson
Kansas State Wildcats men's basketball
Career
- High school: Cedar Hill (Cedar Hill, Texas)
- College: Kansas State (2011–2015)
- NBA draft: 2015 / Undrafted
- Playing career: 2015–present
- 2015–2016: Kouvot
- 2016: Halcones de Ciudad Obregón
- 2016: Élan Chalon
- 2016–2017: Khimik
- 2017: Correcaminos Colon
- 2017: Boulazac Dordogne
- 2017–2018: Kouvot
- 2018–2019: Karesispor
- 2019: Kouvot
- 2019–2020: Ciclista Olímpico
- 2020: Merkezefendi Bld. Denizli Basket
- 2021–present: Dorados de Chihuahua
- Finnish League champion (2016), Finnish League Runners-up (2019)
Thomas Gipson played college basketball for Kansas State and was undrafted in the 2015 NBA draft. He has since signed with Dorados de Chihuahua of the Liga Nacional de Baloncesto Profesional (LNBP).
In his first season with Dorados, he averaged 15 points and nine rebounds per game. Gipson is a powerful forward who can score from inside or out, making him a valuable asset on any team. Thomas Gipson is a professional basketball player who plays for the Dorados de Chihuahua of the Liga Nacional de Baloncesto Profesional (LNB).
The 6'10" center/power forward has spent his entire career in Mexico, playing for clubs including Ciudad Obregón, Halcones de Ciudad Obregón, Élan Chalon and Correcaminos Colon.
He was named to the Finnish League All-Star team in 2016 and 2017 and won a championship with Kouvot in 2016. In 2019 he joined Karesispor after leaving Ciclista Olímpico at the end of 2018–19 season where he had helped them make it to the EuroLeague playoffs.
Thomas Gipson represented Mexico at several international tournaments including World Cup qualifiers (2013), South American Championships (2015) as well as Pan Am Games (2007).
20. D.J. Johnson
Kansas State Wildcats men's basketball
Career
- High school: Parkway North, (St. Louis County, Missouri)
- College: Kansas State (2012–2017)
- NBA draft: 2017 / Undrafted
- Playing career: 2017–present
- 2017–2018: Lavrio
- 2018–2019: Mobis Phoebus
- 2019: Dorados de Chihuahua
- 2019: Bambitious Nara
- 2019–2020: Santa Cruz Warriors
- 2020: Jeonju KCC Egis
- 2021–2022: Grand Rapids Gold
- 2022: Fort Wayne Mad Ants
- All-Big 12 Honorable Mention (2017)
Johnson was a four-year player at Kansas State, where he averaged 13.5 points and 7.9 rebounds per game as a junior in 2017–18. He entered the NBA draft that year but went undrafted, instead signing with the Brooklyn Nets for their G League affiliate, the Long Island Nets.
Johnson had an impressive debut season with the Nets, averaging 16 points and 10 rebounds over 33 games in 2018–19 before being traded to Memphis Grizzlies along with Josh Hart and Jaren Jackson Jr., in exchange for Marc Gasol and Mike Conley on January 23rd 2019.
In Memphis, Johnson has continued to be one of the team's most consistent players off the bench, averaging 11 points and 5 rebounds per game this season while shooting 46% from three-point range (second best on his team).
On July 1st 2019 he signed with Golden State Warriors after spending part of summer training there as well as negotiating a pre-existing contract which would keep him under contract through 2021–22 despite being eligible for free agency next offseason.
21. Jordan Henriquez
Kansas State Wildcats men's basketball
Career
- High school: Rice (Harlem, New York)
- College: Kansas State (2009–2013)
- NBA draft: 2013 / Undrafted
- Playing career: 2013–2018
- Position: Center / Power forward
- 2013–2014: Rio Grande Valley Vipers
- 2014: Kataja
- 2014–2015: Science City Jena
- 2015–2016: Yokohama B-Corsairs
- 2016–2017: Estudiantes Concordia
- 2017: Correcaminos de Colón
- 2017: Atlético Aguada
- 2017: Saigon Heat
- 2017–2018: Westchester Knicks
- 2018: Rayos de Hermosillo
- NBA D-League All-Rookie Third Team (2014), Big 12 All-Defensive Team (2012)
Jordan Henriquez was born on August 29, 1989 in Baldwin, New York. He attended Rice High School in Harlem before going to Kansas State. After one year at K-State, he entered the 2013 NBA draft but was undrafted and signed with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers of the D-League instead.
In his first season with RGV, Henriquez averaged 13 points and 7 rebounds per game en route to being named a D-League All Star for the first time in his career.
The following season (2014–2015), Jordan played for Bakersfield Jam of the NBA Development League where he again averaged over 15 points and seven rebounds per contest while helping lead them to their second consecutive appearance in the playoffs as champions of their divisional championship series against Springfield Armor.
In July 2016, Jordan joined Fenerbahçe Ülker of Turkey on a two-year contract worth $1 million USD each year. On December 8th 2017 he returned to North America signing with Raptors 905.
He ended his tenure playing professionally abroad after appearing in just 49 games over three seasons due to injury; averaging 16 minutes per game across all competitions including Euroleague play for Fenerbahçe Ülker during 2018/19 season.
22. Justin Edwards
Career
- High school: Anderson Collegiate, (Whitby, Ontario)
- College: , Maine (2011–2013), Kansas State (2014–2016)
- NBA draft: 2016 / Undrafted
- Playing career: 2016–present
- 2016–2017: Alba Fehérvár
- 2017: Orlandina Basket
- 2017–2018: Goyang Orion Orions
- 2018: Nanterre 92
- 2018: Ironi Nahariya
- 2019–2020: BC Körmend
- 2020–2021: Cluj-Napoca
- 2021–2022: KK Studentski centar
- 2022–present: BC Körmend
- Hungarian League champion (2017), Hungarian League All-Star (2017), Hungarian Cup winner (2017)
Edwards was born and raised in Whitby, Ontario. He attended Anderson Collegiate before playing for Maine and Kansas State. Edwards is a two-time conference champion with Kansas State, as well as a Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame finalist.
In 2018, he signed with Nanterre in the French LNB Pro A league. Edwards averaged 16 points per game over the course of 18 appearances for Nanterre this season; his most productive stretch came from December onwards, when he averaged 22 points per game on 50% shooting from three-point range (8th best percentage in Europe).
Edwards will now turn his attentions to representing Canada at the 2019 FIBA World Cup qualification tournament later this year; Canada are currently sitting third behind Argentina and Brazil in their qualifying group stage standings (with one match remaining).
Also Played For: school basketball
23. Kansas State Wildcats men's basketball statistical leaders
Kansas State Wildcats men's basketball statistical leaders can be broken down by points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks.
Some of the most prominent Kansas State Wildcats men's basketball statistical leaders include Mike McGuire (points), Darrell Arthur (rebounds), Xavier Henry (assists), Ron Baker (steals), and Mitch McGary (blocks).
All-time leading KState scorer Mike McGuire has accumulated 2236 points in his career which ranks third all time at KSU behind only Darrell Arthur and Wayne Selden Jr. Xavier Henry currently holds the school record for consecutive games with a steal with 25 dating back to his sophomore season of 2013-2014.
Ron Baker is second on the all-time scoring list at Kstate with 2197 points while also ranking fourth in rebounding history with 1412 boards over his career.
Mitch McGary is fifth on the all-time scoring list at Kstate after netting 1883 points during his collegiate career while averaging 12 rebounds per game throughout that span.
24. Angel Rodriguez
Miami Hurricanes men's basketball
Career
- 2016–2017: Cholet Basket
- 2017–2018: Maccabi Haifa
- 2018: Vaqueros de Bayamón
- 2018–2019: Rio Grande Valley Vipers
- 2019–2020: Austin Spurs
- 2020–present: Vaqueros de Bayamón
Rodriguez was a standout player at Dr. Krop High School in Miami, Florida, before playing for Kansas State and then Miami (Florida). Rodriguez was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers with the 53rd pick of the 2016 NBA draft but did not sign with them.
He has since played for various teams around Europe and South America. In May 2017, Rodriguez signed with Spanish club Valencia Basket as a free agent.
During his time in Spain, he helped lead Valencia to two successive league championships while averaging 13 points per game over.
The course of 38 appearances throughout both seasons combined Rodriguez was a standout at Cholet Basket, winning the French League championship in 2016 and 2017.
Rodriguez joined Maccabi Haifa for the 2017-2018 season and led them to an Israeli League title. In 2018, he signed with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers of the NBA G-League before returning to Vaqueros de Bayamón for the 2019-2020 season.
Rodriguez has been named MVP of both seasons with Rio Grande Valley Vipers but is now back in Bayamón where he will continue his basketball career as one of Puerto Rico's most promising players.
Also Played For: miami hurricanes basketball, university of miami basketball
25. Keyontae Johnson
Kansas State Wildcats football
Career
- High school: , Norview, (Norfolk, Virginia), IMG Academy, (Bradenton, Florida), Oak Hill Academy, (Mouth of Wilson, Virginia)
- College: , Florida (2018–2022), Kansas State (2022–present)
- First-team All-SEC (2020)
Keyontae Johnson is a 22-year-old small forward from Norview High School (Norfolk, Virginia). He played college basketball for Kansas State Wildcats in the Big 12 Conference.
Keyontae was drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves with their second round pick in the 2018 NBA Draft and signed a rookie scale contract. In October 2018 he was waived by the Timberwolves after appearing in three preseason games.
On November 6,2018, he signed with Florida Gulf Coast Eagles of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I men's basketball tournament as an undrafted free agent.
Johnson averaged 10 points and 5 rebounds per game during his freshman season at Kansas State before declaring for the draft following his freshman year in 2017–18.
Where he was predicted to be a late first or early second-round selection but fell out of mock drafts thereafter due to concerns about his shot mechanics.
However, according to Jonathan Givony of ESPN, these Mechanics have since been fixed and should not prevent him from being selected significantly earlier than projected if he continues developing offensively at KSU.
26. Jamar Samuels
Kansas State Wildcats men's basketball
Career
- High school: The Patterson School, (Lenoir, North Carolina)
- College: Kansas State (2008–2012)
- NBA draft: 2012 / Undrafted
- Playing career: 2012–present
- 2012–2013: Lobe Huesca
- 2013–2014: Veroli Basket
- 2014: Bàsquet Manresa
- 2014–2015: Novipiù Casale Monferrato
- 2015–2016: Bnei Herzliya
- 2017–2018: SCM CSU Craiova
- 2018–2019: Maccabi Kiryat Motzkin
- Big 12 Sixth Man of the Year (2010)
Jamar Samuels was born on May 25, 1989 in Washington D.C., and he attended The Patterson School in Lenoir, North Carolina before playing college basketball for Kansas State.
He is a small forward / power forward who has played professionally with the Memphis Grizzlies (2012–2013), Orlando Magic (2013), Miami Heat (2014–2015), Brooklyn Nets (2016) and Cleveland Cavaliers (2017).
In 2013, he was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team after averaging 12.5 points and 5.8 rebounds per game while shooting 41% from three point range over 82 games played that year.
In 2017, Jamar averaged 16 points per game off the bench as part of Cleveland's playoff run which culminated in their championship victory against Golden State Warriors Jamar Samuels is an undrafted player who has played in the NBA D-League.
He was a two-time Big 12 Sixth Man of the Year and averaged 14 points per game during his college career at Colorado State University.
Jamar Samuels signed with Israeli club Bàsquet Manresa midway through the 2014–2015 season before coming over to play in Romania for Novipiù Casale Monferrato halfway through this year. Jamar Samuels will be playing for SCM CSU Craiova next season after impressing with them in preseason matches so far.
27. Lance Harris
Career
- High school: Hickman (Columbia, Missouri)
- College: Kansas State (2003–2007)
- NBA draft: 2007 / Undrafted
- Playing career: 2007–2019
- Position: Shooting guard
- Slovenian League champion (2019), ABA League 2 champion (2019), Slovenian Cup winner (2019), French League champion (2017), 2× Greek Dunk champion (2010, 2011)
Lance Harris played shooting guard for the Kansas State Wildcats from 2003-2007. He went undrafted in the 2007 NBA Draft but signed with Zlatorog of the Greek Basket League.
Lance then played two seasons with Kolossos Rodou before signing with Long Island Nets of the G League in 2019. As an assistant coach, Lance works primarily with Long Island's guards and helps them develop their game both on and off court.
In his playing career, Lance had success at both small forward and shooting guard positions which gives him a good understanding of player development concepts across all positions on the floor. Harris has been a head coach in the Slovenian League and ABA League.
Harris was most recently an assistant coach with the Long Island Nets. Harris is also a French league champion as well as having won the Slovenian Cup. Harris played collegiately at St John’s University, where he averaged 10 points per game over two seasons before embarking on his coaching career in Slovenia and France.
Also Played For: long island nets
28. Jeremiah Massey
Brose Bamberg
Career
- High school: Mackenzie (Detroit, Michigan)
- College: , Oxnard (2001–2003), Kansas State (2003–2005)
- NBA draft: 2005 / Undrafted
- Playing career: 2005–present
- Position: Power forward
- 2005–2006: Gymnastikos S. Larissas
- 2006–2008: Aris
- 2008–2010: Real Madrid
- 2010: Obradoiro
- 2010–2012: Lokomotiv Kuban
- 2012: Krasnye Krylia
- 2012–2013: Brose Baskets
- 2013: Champville
- 2013–2014: Amchit Club
- 2014–2016: Sporting Al Riyadi Beirut
- 2016: Al-Gharafa
- 2016: Libertad de Sunchales
- 2016: MZT Skopje
- 2016–2017: Libertad de Sunchales
- 2017–2018: Quimsa
- 2018–2019: Ciclista Olímpico
- 2019: Bauru
- 2019–2020: Urunday
- 2020: Ciclista Olímpico
- All-EuroCup Second Team (2012), 2× Russian League All-Symbolic Team (2011, 2012), Russian League All-Star (2011), 2× Greek League All-Star (2007, 2008), Greek All-Star Game MVP (2008), Greek League Best Five (2008)
Massey played basketball and soccer at high school in Detroit. He did not play college ball, but instead attended Kansas State University where he was a standout power forward.
Massey was undrafted out of college and signed with the Memphis Grizzlies as an free agent in 2005. He spent two years with Memphis before being traded to the Toronto Raptors for cash considerations in 2007.
Massey has since been involved in several trade rumors and has played for various teams around the league including Real Madrid (2008). In 2013, Massey joined the Dallas Mavericks on a one-year contract after playing overseas for several seasons。 7 .
After averaging 6 points per game in his lone season with Dallas, Massey retired from professional basketball at age 35. Jeremiah Massey is a professional basketball player who has played for teams such as Aris, Real Madrid, Lokomotiv Kuban and Krasnye Krylia.
He has also represented Brose Baskets and Champville in the Bulgarian League. In 2017, he signed with Al-Gharafa of Qatar and helped them to win the Qatari Cup that year. He then moved to Libertad de Sunchales in 2018 but left after one season to join Ciclista Olímpico in 2019.
29. Jarrett Hart
Jarrett Hart is a British professional basketball player who was born in London on 4 November 1980. He played college ball at the University of Utah, where he averaged 17 points and 7 assists per game over his four-year career.
After graduating from Utah, Jarrett signed with Fortitudo Bologna of Italy's Serie A league for the 2000–01 season, averaging 10 points and 5 assists over 38 games.
He then moved to Spain and joined Estudiantes de Madrid for the 2001–02 season, appearing in 46 games and averaging 6.7 points and 2 steals per game before leaving midway through the year due to injury; Estudiantes subsequently lost in the Spanish League Finals that year against Valencia CF (1st place).
Returning to England later that summer, Jarrett signed with Hemel Hempstead Town of The English Basketball League Premier Division for 2002–03, helping them secure promotion as champions by averaging 18 points per game en route to being named MVP of both.
The EBL Premier Division Playoffs Series (6th/7th vs Cheltenham) &The Play-Off Final series (Hemel Hempstead Town vs Worcester Sharks – 3rd Place Game).
In total making 142 appearances scoring 1123pts whilst shooting 50% from three point range (.384) along with 103 rebounds off 108 attempts including 14 blocks & 8 assist’s which also led him into becoming an All Star selection at various stages during his stay there.
Hart left Hemel after one successful campaign securing himself a transfer back to Europe this time joining Greek side Olympiacos Piraeus on July 2007.
He spent two years playing alongside European superstars such as Dirk Nowitzki(Dallas Mavericks), Pau Gasol(Los Angeles Lakers), Tony Parker(San Antonio Spurs), Ricky Rubio(Minnesota Timberwolves)and many more before departing Olympiacos during 2008.
Summerleague action citing personal reasons although rumors circulated linking him up again soon after with another Greek club Panionios but nothing came about it.
From here he went on trial period spells with Turkish powerhouse Fenerbahçe Ülker Istanbul but failed to make an impact so returned briefly home once more signing for newly promoted.
Conference National outfit Bedford Blues starting 33 consecutive matches until injuring his hamstring late January 2010 keeping him out till March while undergoing surgery thereafter rejoining Bedford towards May only missing one match all season long finishing top scorer thus earning himself automatic promotion straight back up?
30. Bruce Weber
Career
- 1979–1980: Western Kentucky (GA)
- 1980–1998: Purdue (assistant)
- 1998–2003: Southern Illinois
- 2003–2012: Illinois
- 2012–2022: Kansas State
Weber was a graduate assistant coach at Western Kentucky in 1979 and then Purdue from 1980-1998. Weber took over as an assistant coach at Southern Illinois in 1998, where he stayed for three seasons before moving to Illinois in 2003.
Weber led the Illini to two NCAA Tournament appearances (2005 and 2008) but has since departed for Kansas State. Weber is known as a defensive minded head coach who focuses on player development fundamentals and team defense first approaches game strategy secondarily.
Weber's teams have been consistently successful against top competition both regionally and nationally throughout his coaching career, including making it to the Final Four twice with Illinois Weber is a coach with extensive experience both at the college and professional levels.
Weber has led teams to success both in the NCAA tournament and in major conferences, most notably the Big Ten and Big 12.
As a head coach, Weber has been particularly successful developing players on his team, often getting them drafted or signing them to lucrative contracts after their playing careers are over.
Weber's coaching style is characterized by aggressiveness and pressure defense which he employs to create turnovers and force opponents into low-scoring games.
Weber will be looking to lead Team USA towards Olympic gold as they compete in this year's World Cup alongside other top international sides such as Australia and Serbia.
Final Words
. . The Kansas State Wildcats basketball team has been a powerhouse in the Big 12 conference for many years. They have produced some of the best players in all of college basketball, and there is no doubt that they will continue to do so.
Some of their most famous alumni include Hall-of-Famer Dennis Rodman, current NBA player Russell Westbrook, and former No. 1 overall pick Andrew Wiggins. There is no doubt that these stars are integral parts of what makes Kansas State one of the premier programs in college basketball, and they will continue to produce quality players for years to come.
