Completed Event: Men's Basketball versus #2 St. Thomas on March 5, 2026 , Loss , 67, to, 80
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FINAL
Men's Basketball
67
vs #2 St. Thomas
80
South Dakota State University Athletics
Meet the Newcomers: Charlie Easley
6/19/2020 12:32:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Charlie Easley joins the Jackrabbits as a sophomore transfer from Nebraska, logging time in 28 games as a true freshman for the Huskers while earning progressively more playing time throughout the season.
Tell us about yourself, family and basketball background.
I'm originally from Beatrice, Nebraska, but our family moved to Lincoln in third grade. I'm the second oldest of five kids -- Jack, myself, Sam, Emma and Thomas are all two years apart -- and my parents are Ed and Tiffany Easley. I started playing basketball at a pretty young age, just shooting on our hoop in the backyard with my siblings, especially with my older brother. We'd play all day until my dad would get home from work, or until it was dark.Â
When did basketball start to become a serious part of your life?
I really liked both football and basketball growing up, but in eighth grade, I actually fractured my back, so I quit football and realized basketball was where I wanted to go. I was a sophomore at Pius X High School in Lincoln when my game really started to come along. I put up some good numbers late in that year. I think that's when I started to think about pursuing college ball seriously.
You finished out that career at Pius X on a strong note. What sticks out from your time there?
I think the most memorable moment from my time there was winning the state championship as a senior and being named as a co-All-State captain.Â
What went into your decision to walk-on at Nebraska, and how was your 2019-20 season there?
There were opportunities to play on scholarship at a few Division II schools and one Division program, but I decided to walk-on at Nebraska because I was excited about the direction the program was heading, and I liked Coach Hoiberg. As well, it was exciting to go to college and play in my hometown, and I was able to earn a scholarship midway through the season.
I think the biggest thing I learned in my season there was the game was just much more intense, because you need to know what you're doing every single play. Any slip-ups can cost your team a play, so you learn fast to compete hard and stay focused at all times. I also knew that working hard was even more important for me as a walk-on, and through that I was able to get some playing time. I'll always remember the first game I really played significant time was at home in a win over Purdue.
You made the decision to transfer, though, after the year. What brought you to the Jackrabbits?
I learned that I'd need to go back to being a walk-on as a sophomore, and made the choice to enter the transfer portal. Coach Henderson and I had some contact when I was in high school and I always thought he was a good coach and a good guy. Transferring during the pandemic was a little different because you couldn't visit, but after a lot of conversations, I just knew SDSU was the right fit for me. I was comfortable with the staff, felt good about the location because it was close enough to have my family come up for games, and I knew Baylor (Scheierman) from playing high school ball against each other, and OSA summer ball as teammates.
What are your goals here?
Well, I'll need to redshirt my first season due to the transfer rule, so I've really set a goal to get stronger and quicker while developing my basketball skills over the next year. Beyond that, it's my goal to be a team-first guy who does whatever it takes to win and help our team reach the NCAA Tournament. I never want to be a one-dimensional player, so whether it's on the defensive or offensive ends of the floor, I want to help my team succeed.
Easley is part of an incoming group that includes NJCAA All-American Luke Appel (Kirkwood Community College), early enrollee and redshirt freshman William Mfum (Spring Creek Academy) and true freshman Cooper Cornemann (Yankton HS). GoJacks.com will speak with each of the four newcomers over the next month.
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Tell us about yourself, family and basketball background.
I'm originally from Beatrice, Nebraska, but our family moved to Lincoln in third grade. I'm the second oldest of five kids -- Jack, myself, Sam, Emma and Thomas are all two years apart -- and my parents are Ed and Tiffany Easley. I started playing basketball at a pretty young age, just shooting on our hoop in the backyard with my siblings, especially with my older brother. We'd play all day until my dad would get home from work, or until it was dark.Â
When did basketball start to become a serious part of your life?
I really liked both football and basketball growing up, but in eighth grade, I actually fractured my back, so I quit football and realized basketball was where I wanted to go. I was a sophomore at Pius X High School in Lincoln when my game really started to come along. I put up some good numbers late in that year. I think that's when I started to think about pursuing college ball seriously.
You finished out that career at Pius X on a strong note. What sticks out from your time there?
I think the most memorable moment from my time there was winning the state championship as a senior and being named as a co-All-State captain.Â
What went into your decision to walk-on at Nebraska, and how was your 2019-20 season there?
There were opportunities to play on scholarship at a few Division II schools and one Division program, but I decided to walk-on at Nebraska because I was excited about the direction the program was heading, and I liked Coach Hoiberg. As well, it was exciting to go to college and play in my hometown, and I was able to earn a scholarship midway through the season.
I think the biggest thing I learned in my season there was the game was just much more intense, because you need to know what you're doing every single play. Any slip-ups can cost your team a play, so you learn fast to compete hard and stay focused at all times. I also knew that working hard was even more important for me as a walk-on, and through that I was able to get some playing time. I'll always remember the first game I really played significant time was at home in a win over Purdue.
You made the decision to transfer, though, after the year. What brought you to the Jackrabbits?
I learned that I'd need to go back to being a walk-on as a sophomore, and made the choice to enter the transfer portal. Coach Henderson and I had some contact when I was in high school and I always thought he was a good coach and a good guy. Transferring during the pandemic was a little different because you couldn't visit, but after a lot of conversations, I just knew SDSU was the right fit for me. I was comfortable with the staff, felt good about the location because it was close enough to have my family come up for games, and I knew Baylor (Scheierman) from playing high school ball against each other, and OSA summer ball as teammates.
What are your goals here?
Well, I'll need to redshirt my first season due to the transfer rule, so I've really set a goal to get stronger and quicker while developing my basketball skills over the next year. Beyond that, it's my goal to be a team-first guy who does whatever it takes to win and help our team reach the NCAA Tournament. I never want to be a one-dimensional player, so whether it's on the defensive or offensive ends of the floor, I want to help my team succeed.
Easley is part of an incoming group that includes NJCAA All-American Luke Appel (Kirkwood Community College), early enrollee and redshirt freshman William Mfum (Spring Creek Academy) and true freshman Cooper Cornemann (Yankton HS). GoJacks.com will speak with each of the four newcomers over the next month.
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Players Mentioned
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