Kansas State University Athletics
Three Former Wildcats Open NBA Action Wednesday
Oct 25, 2023 | Men's Basketball
Keyontae Johnson and Markquis Nowell join Dean Wade on NBA opening night rosters
MANHATTAN, Kan. – Three former Wildcats – Keyontae Johnson (Oklahoma City Thunder), Markquis Nowell (Toronto Raptors) and Dean Wade (Cleveland Cavaliers) – open their respective NBA seasons on Wednesday night (October 25), as the league fully opens its 2023-24 campaign.
Johnson and Nowell are each beginning their first NBA seasons after All-American seasons in 2022-23, while Wade is beginning his fifth season with the Cavaliers. Johnson was drafted by the Thunder with the 50th overall pick in the second round of the 2023 NBA Draft, while Nowell signed a two-way contract with the Raptors on draft night.
Cleveland and Oklahoma City each open the year on the road with the Cavaliers playing at the Brooklyn Nets at 6:30 p.m., CT and the Thunder playing at the Chicago Bulls at 7 p.m., CT. Toronto hosts the Minnesota Timberwolves at 6:30 p.m., CT. All three games can be seen by using the NBA League Pass.
A two-time All-Big 12 First Team selection, Wade has seen action in 170 games with the Cavaliers, averaging 5.1 points on 43.9 percent shooting with 3.1 rebounds per game. Last season, he played in 44 games, averaging 4.7 points and 3.4 rebounds, for a Cavalier team which made the playoffs for the first time since 2017-18.
Wade (2015-19) helped the Wildcats win 88 games, advance to three NCAA Tournament, including the 2018 Elite Eight, and capture the 2018-19 Big 12 regular season title. He is one of just three Wildcats to rank in the Top 10 in both career scoring (1,510 points/10th) and rebounding (685/8th).
Johnson was one of 18 players to make the Thunders' opening night roster, including one of four rookies. He played in 4 preseason games, averaging 4.0 points on 46.2 percent shooting. As a rookie, he could spend time with the Thunder's G-League Team – the Oklahoma City Blue.
Nowell was one of 18 players to make the Raptors' opening night roster, including one of three rookies. He played in 3 preseason games, averaging 1.3 points on 33.3 percent shooting with 1.7 assists per game. As a two-way player, he can play up to 50 games with the Raptors while spending time with its G-League affiliate – Raptors 905 – which is based out of Mississauga, Ontario.
Johnson and Nowell helped reenergize the K-State program in 2022-23, as they led the Wildcats to a 26-win season and their 13th trip to the Elite Eight in head coach Jerome Tang's inaugural season. They became the first teammates in school history to earn All-American honors from The Associated Press, while both were selected to the All-Big 12 First Team as well as the NCAA East Regional All-Tournament team.
Nowell, who finished second nationally in assists/game (8.3 apg.), total assists (297) and total steals (92), was selected as winner of the Bob Cousy Award as the nation's top point guard. Johnson was a finalist for the Julius Erving Award as the top small forward after being one of two Big 12 players to rank in the Big 12's top-5 in both scoring and rebounding in all games and Big 12-only games.
How to follow the 'Cats: For complete information on K-State men's basketball, visit www.kstatesports.com and follow the team's social media channels on X (formerly Twitter), Threads, Instagram and Facebook.
Johnson and Nowell are each beginning their first NBA seasons after All-American seasons in 2022-23, while Wade is beginning his fifth season with the Cavaliers. Johnson was drafted by the Thunder with the 50th overall pick in the second round of the 2023 NBA Draft, while Nowell signed a two-way contract with the Raptors on draft night.
Cleveland and Oklahoma City each open the year on the road with the Cavaliers playing at the Brooklyn Nets at 6:30 p.m., CT and the Thunder playing at the Chicago Bulls at 7 p.m., CT. Toronto hosts the Minnesota Timberwolves at 6:30 p.m., CT. All three games can be seen by using the NBA League Pass.
A two-time All-Big 12 First Team selection, Wade has seen action in 170 games with the Cavaliers, averaging 5.1 points on 43.9 percent shooting with 3.1 rebounds per game. Last season, he played in 44 games, averaging 4.7 points and 3.4 rebounds, for a Cavalier team which made the playoffs for the first time since 2017-18.
Wade (2015-19) helped the Wildcats win 88 games, advance to three NCAA Tournament, including the 2018 Elite Eight, and capture the 2018-19 Big 12 regular season title. He is one of just three Wildcats to rank in the Top 10 in both career scoring (1,510 points/10th) and rebounding (685/8th).
Johnson was one of 18 players to make the Thunders' opening night roster, including one of four rookies. He played in 4 preseason games, averaging 4.0 points on 46.2 percent shooting. As a rookie, he could spend time with the Thunder's G-League Team – the Oklahoma City Blue.
Nowell was one of 18 players to make the Raptors' opening night roster, including one of three rookies. He played in 3 preseason games, averaging 1.3 points on 33.3 percent shooting with 1.7 assists per game. As a two-way player, he can play up to 50 games with the Raptors while spending time with its G-League affiliate – Raptors 905 – which is based out of Mississauga, Ontario.
Johnson and Nowell helped reenergize the K-State program in 2022-23, as they led the Wildcats to a 26-win season and their 13th trip to the Elite Eight in head coach Jerome Tang's inaugural season. They became the first teammates in school history to earn All-American honors from The Associated Press, while both were selected to the All-Big 12 First Team as well as the NCAA East Regional All-Tournament team.
Nowell, who finished second nationally in assists/game (8.3 apg.), total assists (297) and total steals (92), was selected as winner of the Bob Cousy Award as the nation's top point guard. Johnson was a finalist for the Julius Erving Award as the top small forward after being one of two Big 12 players to rank in the Big 12's top-5 in both scoring and rebounding in all games and Big 12-only games.
How to follow the 'Cats: For complete information on K-State men's basketball, visit www.kstatesports.com and follow the team's social media channels on X (formerly Twitter), Threads, Instagram and Facebook.
Players Mentioned
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/ Men's Basketball
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