DICK KNOSTMAN
1931 – 2022
Inducted 2008

Twice selected an All-American at Kansas State University, Richard William Knostman was one of the greatest players ever to wear the purple and white of the Wildcats. Knostman was a three-year lettermen for head coach Jack Gardner from 1950-1953 and helped lead the Wildcats to a 61-13 record, including three consecutive Top 10 national rankings and a second-place finish in the 1951 NCAA Tournament. A native of Wamego, Kansas, Knostman earned All-American honors during the 1952-53 season after averaging 22.7 points a game in helping the Wildcats to a 17-4 record. Knostman also earned All-American honors as a junior when he led K-State to a 19-5 record and a final ranking of No. 3 in the AP and No. 6 in the UPI polls, while averaging 16.3 points a game. He was also selected first team All-Big 7 two times. Fifty years after playing at K-State, Knostman still ranked among the top 5 in 17 single-game, season or career categories. Knostman averaged a double-double for his career - 14.6 points and 10.5 rebounds in 74 games. He became the second K-State player ever drafted in 1953 when he was selected by the Syracuse Nationals of the NBA. Knostman was an all-state basketball player for Wamego High School in 1949 and scored 42 points in one game in 1948. He was inducted into the Kansas State Athletic Hall of Fame in 2003 and had his No. 33 jersey retired in 2007. Born August 9, 1931 – Wamego, Kansas. Graduated Wamego H.S., 1949; Kansas State University, 1953; BS – University of Utah.