K-State basketball welcomes back alumni from different eras

MANHATTAN (KSNT) - A coaching change hasn't stopped Dean Wade from staying involved with Kansas State men's basketball.

Wade, a two-time first team All-Big 12 selection, tells 27 News he spends a bulk of his time in or around Manhattan, Kansas each offseason.

"I spend a majority of my time around Manhattan," Wade said, acknowledging the facilities combined with proximity to home make it a perfect fit for training between NBA seasons.

Wade enters his sixth year with the Cleveland Cavaliers, but never played for Jerome Tang. He was in Manhattan with Bruce Weber, making an Elite Eight run in 2018 and winning a Big 12 title in 2019. However, he says the new coaching staff has welcomed him as their own.

"Since day one [they've welcomed me]," he said. "I really appreciate it, they do so much for me still... [Tang] being that grateful and letting me do everything here is amazing."

Wildcat alumni from various teams were back in Manhattan working out together and sharing stories on Tuesday. Barry Brown, Mike McGuirl, Tylor Perry, Keyontae Johnson and Markquis Nowell were among the former 'Cats back in Ice Family Basketball Center with Wade.