Kendra Wecker

Born: December 16, 1982 – Marysville, KS
Marysville H.S., 2001
Kansas State University, 2005
KSU’s all-time leader in scoring, rebounding

When the topic of the greatest all-around female athlete ever in the state of Kansas comes up, Kendra Wecker’s name is right there at the top.
There wasn’t much the Marysville native couldn’t do, whether it was basketball, volleyball, track and field, softball or punting, passing and kicking a football.
Kendra Wecker, now 28, could do it all. Now, she is a member of the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame.
“I'm extremely humbled and thankful for the induction into the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame,” said Wecker, who works and lives in Edmond, Okla. “There are, no doubt, hundreds of nominees each year and to even be considered is an honor, one that will stay with me forever. I thank God for giving me the gifts He did in order for me to do the things I loved to do.
“A special thanks goes to my family for their love and support throughout my entire playing career; every team and teammate I had the pleasure of being a part of and competing with; every coach along my journey and the fans I had the opportunity to play for. I am so blessed.”
When she was 10 years old, Wecker competed in the NFL’s Punt, Pass and Kick competition and reached the national finals despite competing against boys. She also set a national high school record for the javelin throw and was a three-time state champion in track and an all-state volleyball player.
But, it was basketball where Wecker made her name in college. She led Marysville High School to a state basketball championship and unbeaten season as a senior. She finished her prep career scoring over 2,300 points and grabbing over 1,000 rebounds. Wecker attended Kansas State from 2001-05 and was named first-team All-Big 12 three times and the Big 12 Player of the Year in 2005.
As a senior, Wecker was named the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award winner, recognizing her as the nation's top senior women's basketball player. She was also a three-time Naismith Player of the Year finalist and two-time Wade Trophy and Wooden Award finalist. She finished her career as Kansas State’s all-time leading scorer (2,333 points) and rebounder (1,087 rebounds) and averaged 18.2 points and 8.5 rebounds a game.
Wecker said making the NCAA Tournament her freshman year and winning the Big 12 title her senior season were two of her best memories as a Wildcat, but playing in front of large, enthusiastic crowds in Bramlage Coliseum was special.
“The fan support we had game after game, packing Bramlage Coliseum to the rafters, was something,” she said. “The atmosphere was incredible.”
Wecker was drafted fourth overall by the San Antonio Silver Stars in the 2005 WNBA Draft, but injuries hampered her pro career. Her No. 53 jersey was retired by K-State in 2005.
Wecker, who has nearly completed work on her masters degree in Athletic Administration from the University of Oklahoma, currently works as a basketball player development coach. She is part owner of a business called “Athletes In Rhythm” she helped start two years ago.
“We are just getting started, but have big goals and aspirations for the future,” Wecker said. “I have the privilege of teaching young athletes the skills and fundamentals of the game and have a passion for what I do and making an impact on the lives of others.”
And, the impact of her parents (Randy and Pam) and brother (Durk) continues to stay with Wecker to this day.
“My parents are everything to me and have been a constant my entire life and for that I will forever be indebted to them,” Wecker said. “They encouraged me to be my best, but never pushed too much. They shared moments of joy, frustration, pain, happiness, success and failures, but loved me just the same no matter what. To them, I was always just Kendra, nobody special.
“I owe my brother special thanks, too, for his support and I only hope that I was able to give him the support he deserved throughout his career.”