43. Ayome "Paco" May, Guard, 6'5", 200, Lancaster, TX (1995-1999)

***Paco is a late addition to the list because after conducting a further review on my original #43 ranked player I did not think he warranted inclusion. If the rankings were recompiled Paco would have been in the 45-50 area.***

Paco burst on the scene his Freshman season, starting 26 games for the Wildcats and helping lead the team to the NCAA Tournament. After the season he was awarded for his play by being named to the All-Big 8 Freshman Team. Paco continued to improve his Sophmore season, despite the teams struggles, averaging 10.9 points per game. His scoring abilities were put on display in the first week of February in 1997. During that week he scored 20 or more points in three consecutive conference games. Paco was the top scorer coming back to the team his Junior year and he had personal expectations of being named to an All-Conference team when that season concluded. Unfortunately, May dealt poorly with the added pressure and was relieved of his starting duties during the middle of that season. Prior to the start of his Senior Season in 1998, Wildcat Head Coach Tom Asbury called a press conference to announce that May would be leaving the team due to a mysterious intestinal condition that made it difficult for May to build endurance and often left him nauseous on the sideline. However, May remained with the program as a part time starter and a key reserve. He did well in this limited capacity and was named Honorable Mention All-Big 12 that season. He was also awarded the first ever "Jack Hartman Defensive Player of the Year Award" at the wildcats annual awards banquet following the season. Paco finished his career #23 on KSU all-time scoring list with 990 points and #9 on the all-time steals list with 91.

44. Carl Gerlach, Center, 6'10", 205, Leawood, KS (1972-1976)

It is hard to overlook someone that is 6'10". However, when you are the big man in the middle on teams that featured perhaps the greatest guard tandem in your schools history it can happen. Gerlach came to KSU from Shawnee Mission South High School. He began receiving significant minutes off of the bench during his Sophmore season, and took over as a full time starter and co-captain as a Junior. As a Junior Gerlach helped lead the Wildcats to the Elite Eight and a #15 national ranking to finish the season. He had a double double in both the first and second round games of the 1975 NCAA tournament. In the first round against Pennsylvania Gerlach went for 20 points, 16 rebounds, one assist, and two blocks. He followed this game up with a 20 point, 13 rebound, 2 block performance against Boston College in the Sweet Sixteen. These games were well above Gerlach's season averages but indicates Gerlachs ability to score and rebound. Gerlach is found in several of the all time statistical lists in the KSU media guide. He is #43 in all time scoring with 786 points. He is #3 in All-time Career Field Goal Percentage. He is #8 in Career Rebounds with 619 boards. After his senior season Carl was drafted in the 7th round of the NBA draft with the 110th overall pick by the Atlanta Hawks.

Today Carl Gerlach is the Mayor of Overland Park, Ks.

45. Eddie Elder, Center/Forward, 6'9", 215, Tulsa, OK (1981-1985)

Eddie Elder came to Kansas State from Cascia Hall High School in Tulsa, OK. After learning the ropes and seeing only limited action as a Freshman, Elder earned a starting position during his Sophmore Season and did not relenquish that position until the final game of his Senior Year. Elder was a proficient scorer that had a variety of nifty post moves as well as a nice mid-range jump shot. Elder was also an efficeint rebounder. He lead the team in rebounds during both his Junior and Senior seasons. Twice during his career Elder went for 30 points and 10 rebounds in a single game. With performances like that and a long KSU career it is not surprising that Elder is one of the Top 25 scorers and rebounders in KSU history. He is ranked #24 all-time in scoring at KSU with 988 points and #18 all time in rebounding with 555 boards.

Elder was the co-captain of the 1983-1984 squad and the captain of the 1985-1986 team. Elder also led the 83-84 team in scoring(13.1 ppg) and rebounding (7.1 rpg) and the 85-86 team in rebounding (7.1 rpg). Elder also led the wildcats in the classroom. He earned Academic All Big 8 honors three times and also earned distinction as an Academic All-American Honorable Mention in 1984.

Click on the attached link to witness Elder in action:Highlights

46. Shawn Rhodes, Forward/Center, 6'11", 225, Wichita, KS (1995-1999)

Shawn Rhodes is the first native Kansan to make the list, but he wont be the last.  Shawn came to KSU from Wichita Northwest High School in 1995.  Due to his size and skill-set Rhodes was able to see time in a reserve role and ocassional starter as an underclassman before becoming a regular stater his Junior year.  Rhodes was a skilled big man who could hurt you both inside and outside of the lane.  Inside he had the size to get to the rim, block a shot, and grab a tough board.  Outside of the lane he had the ability to hit the three or toss a nice entry post into the paint.  These skills along with the opportunity to get a lot of playing time (Shawn is 6th all time in minutes played and 10th in games played) allowed Shawn to make several career lists in the media guide: Shawn is 25th all-time in points scored with 967 points.  He is 12th all-time in career rebounds with 593 boards.  He is 2nd all-time in career blocks with 120.

Shawn was a Co-Captain of the 1998-1999 team that made it to the NIT.  The Wildcats made post season play in three out of the four seasons Rhodes played (2 NITs, 1 NCAA). Statistically 1997-1998 was Rhodes best season; that year he averaged 11.2 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 2.1 apg, and shot .360 from three point land.  However, it was in 1999 that Rhodes earned his only post season athletic honor when he was named honorable mention All-Big 12.

Shawn excelled in the classroom as well as on the hardwood.  He was a two-time first team Academic All Big 12 and one time academic All-Big 12 honorable mention.     

47. Joe Wright, Guard, 6'4", 175, Carthage, MO (1984-1986)

The 1984-1985 & 1985-1986 seasons while only a few years removed from some of the great Wildcat teams of the late 70's and early 80's were in a whole different hemisphere as far as results on the court.  The wildcats complied a 30-28 record over this time and a 9-19 Big Eight Record. Despite these team struggles Joe Wright stands out as one of the better guards to play at Kansas State.  Joe comae to KSU from State Fair Community College in Sedalia, MO.  He spent most of his Junior year in a reserve role only starting seven games.  It was his big Senior Season that gets him on the list.  During Joe's senior year he scored 544 points (19th all-time) and averaged 18.9 points per game (tied for 9th).  During that season Joe scored in double digits in 29 of 30 games.  Wright had a couple of games that appear especially memorable.  The first was a 31 point performance in a win against Wichita St. where Joe went 12 of 13 from the field and  7 of 8 from the stripe.  The other was a win against Oklahoma St. where Joe went an amazing 11 of 11 from the field. Joe is currently ranked #45 on K-State's All Time Scoring List with 782 points.

A recent article I found in the local Carthage Newspaer revealed that Joe is a friend of the family of current Wildcat Guard Will Spradling, whose family hails from Carthage, MO.    

48. Belvis Noland, Guard/Forward, 6'4", 215, Tuscaloosa, AL (1993-1995)

Belvis Noland came to Kansas State out of Three Rivers Junior College where he was named the Region 16 Player of the Year. He arrived in Manhattan for the 1993-1994 season and quickly earned a starting spot. The 1993-1994 season was filled with highs and lows. The highs included upsetting #1 ranked KU in Laerence and making a run to the NIT Final Four. The lows could include any of our 10 losses in the Big 8 (we went 4-10 in conference) and opening the season with a loss to Southern Mississippi. In most respects Belvis was an average player. He averaged 9.8 ppg, 3.9 rpg, and 1.3 apg. He was a capable three point shooter, but not elite. The one area that Noland seemed to excel was playing tough defense and getting steals. Noland is #2 in the books for steals per game for a career at 1.80 and he is also on most of the other steals lists. After Nolan's Junior year Dana Altman left and Tan Tom Asbury took over. The 1994-1995 team did not fair well and finished last in the Big 8.

49. Pat McKenzie, Forward, 6'5", 185, South Bend, Ind, (1959-1962)

The 1961-1962 Wildcat team was dominated by two HS teammates from South Bend, Indiana. Pat was the lesser of the two teammates, but still packed a powerful punch. He played with the Wildcats Varsity squad for three years, and started his final two seasons. In his first year as a starter he helped the Wildcats to the Elite Eight before falling to the eventual National Champs from Cincinatti. Pat really didn't come into his own until his senior year. That season Pat averaged 11 points and 9.4 rebounds per game and was named first team All Big 8 while helping the wildcats to a 22-3 record , a #6 ranking in the final AP poll, and a championship in the Big 8 Holiday Tournament. Pat was drafted in the 15th round of the 1962 NBA Draft by the Chicago Packers with the 99th overall pick.

50. Randy Reed, Forward, 6'7", 215, St. Louis, MO, (1980-1982)

Randy Reed started 54 consecutive games for the Wildcats during the 1980-1981 and 1981-1982 seasons. He made a splash during his first year with the Cats earning post season recognition as the Big 8 Conferences Newcomer of the Year. During his career he averaged 13.2 points and 5.2 rebounds per game. Along with a couple of players that will show up later on the list he helped lead the Wildcats on two NCAA tournament runs. In the 81 NCAA Tourney the wildcats made it to the Elite Eight as an 8 seed, upsetting #1 seeded Oregon St. in the second round and #4 seed Illinois in the Sweet Sixteen. In the 1982 Tournamnet the #5 seeded Cats got knocked out in the Sweet Sixteen after upsetting #4 Seed Arkansas in the Round of 32. Reed is in the history books largely for his efficiency. He is ranked second in the Wildcat history books for career field goal percentage. During his career he made 56.7% of the FGs he attempted. On Jan. 16, 1982 Reed had his best game as a Wildcat he went 14-15 from the field and 4 of 7 from the stripe to finish with 32 points in a six point victory over the Colorado Buffalos. After the 1982 season was over Reed was drafted in the 7th Round of the NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers with the 139th overall pick. Randy Reed currently sets at 37th on KSU's All-Time Scoring list with 842 carrer points.