Will Spradling, a 6-foot-1 freshman guard from Shawnee Mission Park in Overland Park, Kansas, had a few colleges looking at him and boasted two offers–one from Kansas State and the other from UNLV. Before his senior season in high school had even started, however, Spradling had already made up his mind that he was coming to Kansas State, claiming he liked the coaching style of Frank Martin and the Wildcats’ ability to play defense.

Spradling was always a great worker and enrolled at Kansas State a summer ahead of time to work toward earning his teammates’ trust and minutes on the court. All that summer, Spradling was seen playing physical defense, improving his jump shot, and showing off his explosiveness.

After the second game of the season, Spradling was able to win his teammates and coach Martin over with his play against a solid Virginia Tech team. With Jacob Pullen sidelined, Spradling led the Wildcats to victory by being fundamentally sound and playing his role.

Spradling ultimately ended with five points, one rebound, and one assist, but his energy on the defensive end of the court is what really did the job. “He plays with tremendous effort and he listens,” said coach Martin following the win over Virginia Tech.

“So by doing those two things, he ends up in the right place more times than not, and if you can figure that part out you usually get along with me very well.”

Nine games into his freshman season, Spradling got his first start, replacing Nick Russell in the starting lineup. He accumulated just four points of offense, but had four assists and three steals to just one turnover.

Spradling continued as the starter for the Wildcats until Pullen returned to the team after serving a three-game suspension imposed by the NCAA.

Despite losing his starting position, Spradling has been a key piece to the Wildcats’ success. In the most recent game against Baylor, Spradling posted a career high 17 points against a physical Baylor zone. Spradling was also 9-of-9 from the free-throw line, including hitting six clutch free-throws in the last five minutes off the bench.

“I feel like that is the best we have played together all year. We knew where each person was going to be. We shot the ball well, and we defended,” said Spradling.

Spradling has come a long way from being a player that fought for minutes earlier this season. Now, many are expecting him to contribute consistently. Spradling has grown a few inches since arriving to Kansas State and it should help him along his college journey.

Spradling will return closer to home when the Wildcats travel to Lawrence, KS, to take on the Kansas Jayhawks (18-1, 3-1) in the Sunflower Showdown this Saturday.