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SDSU MEN’S HOOPS ADDS FOUR AHEAD OF 2024
11/8/2023 3:50:00 PM | Men's Basketball
BROOKINGS, S.D. — South Dakota State men's basketball completed National Signing Day on Wednesday by announcing four additions to the program as part of its signing class of 2024. SDSU's additions include Stoney Hadnot (Houston, Texas), Jaden Jackson (Bellevue, Neb.), Owen Larson (Estherville, Iowa) and Alec Squires (Volga, S.D.).
"We're extremely excited about this group of kids not only talent wise, but how they fit into our group character wise too," SDSU head coach Eric Henderson said. "They value the things that we value and they make their teammates better. We're happy we were able to have this group come together.
"I think athleticism is something we wanted to improve on and this group does that. They have a great feel and understanding of the game which is really important to us as well."
Stoney Hadnot | Forward | 6-5 | 180 | Houston, Texas | Cy Springs HS
Stoney Hadnot will make his way to Brookings as one of the best players in his region as he's ranked the 12th best recruit in the Great Houston Area by OTR Exposure. He also is a top 25 recruit according to 247 Sports out of the state of Texas as a three-star prospect.
Hadnot was the 2023 District 16-6A Offensive Player of the Year as he averaged 19 points and eight rebounds per game as a junior. He was an All-District and All-Region choice to go along with claiming his Team's MVP award. As a sophomore, Hadnot was picked as his district's 2022 Newcomer of the Year.
Hadnot played travel ball with current SDSU freshman Bubz Alvarez. Hadnot plans to major in human development and family studies at South Dakota State.
"Athleticism is what sticks out, but he's also got an incredible motor," Henderson said of Hadnot. "He knows how to play the game the right away and plays extremely hard. I really think his athleticism, rebounding, his ability to get to the basket and ability to finish around the rim is a great compliment to the rest of our guys."
Jaden Jackson | Guard | 6-0 | 170 | Bellevue, Neb. | Bellevue West HS
Jaden Jackson has been a contributor for Bellevue West High School for three seasons as he heads into his senior campaign. He's been a three-year letterwinner for the Thunderbirds and improved on his averages each season of his prep career.
Jackson was a Nebraska First Team All-State selection in 2023. He averaged 14.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.8 steals per game as a junior. Jackson helped lead Bellevue West to a 29-0 record during the 2022-23 campaign as the Thunderbirds won their first state championship in 11 years. Jackson was named to the 2023 All-Nebraska Boys Basketball Team by the Omaha World Herald as well as to the Huskerland's Boys State Basketball All-Tournament team. Jackson has also been named to Nxt Pro Nebraska's Preseason Class A 1st Team heading into 2023-24.
Current Jackrabbit William Kyle III also hails from Bellevue West and was a high school teammate with Jackson.
"I think winner is certainly something that comes to mind when you think about Jaden," Henderson said. "He has the ability to score, he can stretch the floor, but he can also play with the ball in his hands. He can create for others, which is important in our program, and he's a willing passer. He's been engrained that the team is the most important thing and that definitely comes in to play as he joins our program."
Owen Larson | Guard | 6-2 | 190 | Estherville, Iowa | Estherville Lincoln Central HS
Owen Larson is a three-sport athlete for Estherville Lincoln Central High School. On the hardwood, Larson is coming off a First Team All-State season as a junior. He had career-best averages of 27.2 points and 8.4 rebounds per game in 2022-23, while the year prior he had a career-high 5.1 assists per contest. He currently stands as ELC's all-time leading scorer.
Larson has been a two-time all-conference selection and three-time all-district choice in basketball. As a sophomore, Larson also earned Second Team All-State accolades. He's been on his school's A Honor Roll each year of his prep career.
Larson is a standout in football serving as ELC's quarterback and a defensive back. This past summer he was an all-state performer in baseball. Larson's father, Troy, spent six years as an assistant at South Dakota State in the 2000s. Larson plans to major in business at SDSU.
"Owen's ability to compete is already at a high level," Henderson said. "He's a physical guard that can really defend. His ability to understand the game at his age is incredible. He can get by people, finish around the rim, shoot it from deep and he's tough. Owen has a chance to make an impact right away."
Alec Squires | Center/Forward | 6-10 | 245 | Volga, S.D. | Sioux Valley HS
Alec Squires is coming off an All-State season for Sioux Valley High School as he and the Cossacks look ahead to the 2023-24 season. Squires, a letterwinner twice, has averaged a double-double in points and rebounds for his high school career.
As a junior, Squires averaged 15 points and 11 rebounds while shooting 75% from the field. He was a State Class A All-Tournament Team, All-Brookings Register and all-conference performer. He helped lead Sioux Valley to a consolation finish at the 2023 state tournament a season after contributing to a state runner-up showing in 2022.
Squires enters his senior season with 650 career points and 560 career rebounds. He already holds Sioux Valley's field goal records, for both a career and season, as well as dunks. Squires has a significant family history of attending South Dakota State which includes his parents David and Tara. Squires plans to major in business.
"Alec has great pride and passion for the Jackrabbits," Henderson said. "Any time we believe there's a guy that's talented enough to play here that has great character and cares about a place as much as Alec does SDSU, it's a great fit. He's a tremendous worker, he's physical and athletic.
"What I like most about Alec is from the first time I saw him play to the last time, he's improved so much. That really highlights his work ethic. He's becoming a more versatile of a player and we're excited to get him on campus."
The South Dakota State men's basketball team continues its 2023-24 season on Wednesday evening. The Jackrabbits are set to square off against Dakota Wesleyan at 7 p.m. in Frost Arena.
"We're extremely excited about this group of kids not only talent wise, but how they fit into our group character wise too," SDSU head coach Eric Henderson said. "They value the things that we value and they make their teammates better. We're happy we were able to have this group come together.
"I think athleticism is something we wanted to improve on and this group does that. They have a great feel and understanding of the game which is really important to us as well."
Stoney Hadnot | Forward | 6-5 | 180 | Houston, Texas | Cy Springs HS
Stoney Hadnot will make his way to Brookings as one of the best players in his region as he's ranked the 12th best recruit in the Great Houston Area by OTR Exposure. He also is a top 25 recruit according to 247 Sports out of the state of Texas as a three-star prospect.
Hadnot was the 2023 District 16-6A Offensive Player of the Year as he averaged 19 points and eight rebounds per game as a junior. He was an All-District and All-Region choice to go along with claiming his Team's MVP award. As a sophomore, Hadnot was picked as his district's 2022 Newcomer of the Year.
Hadnot played travel ball with current SDSU freshman Bubz Alvarez. Hadnot plans to major in human development and family studies at South Dakota State.
"Athleticism is what sticks out, but he's also got an incredible motor," Henderson said of Hadnot. "He knows how to play the game the right away and plays extremely hard. I really think his athleticism, rebounding, his ability to get to the basket and ability to finish around the rim is a great compliment to the rest of our guys."
Jaden Jackson | Guard | 6-0 | 170 | Bellevue, Neb. | Bellevue West HS
Jaden Jackson has been a contributor for Bellevue West High School for three seasons as he heads into his senior campaign. He's been a three-year letterwinner for the Thunderbirds and improved on his averages each season of his prep career.
Jackson was a Nebraska First Team All-State selection in 2023. He averaged 14.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.8 steals per game as a junior. Jackson helped lead Bellevue West to a 29-0 record during the 2022-23 campaign as the Thunderbirds won their first state championship in 11 years. Jackson was named to the 2023 All-Nebraska Boys Basketball Team by the Omaha World Herald as well as to the Huskerland's Boys State Basketball All-Tournament team. Jackson has also been named to Nxt Pro Nebraska's Preseason Class A 1st Team heading into 2023-24.
Current Jackrabbit William Kyle III also hails from Bellevue West and was a high school teammate with Jackson.
"I think winner is certainly something that comes to mind when you think about Jaden," Henderson said. "He has the ability to score, he can stretch the floor, but he can also play with the ball in his hands. He can create for others, which is important in our program, and he's a willing passer. He's been engrained that the team is the most important thing and that definitely comes in to play as he joins our program."
Owen Larson | Guard | 6-2 | 190 | Estherville, Iowa | Estherville Lincoln Central HS
Owen Larson is a three-sport athlete for Estherville Lincoln Central High School. On the hardwood, Larson is coming off a First Team All-State season as a junior. He had career-best averages of 27.2 points and 8.4 rebounds per game in 2022-23, while the year prior he had a career-high 5.1 assists per contest. He currently stands as ELC's all-time leading scorer.
Larson has been a two-time all-conference selection and three-time all-district choice in basketball. As a sophomore, Larson also earned Second Team All-State accolades. He's been on his school's A Honor Roll each year of his prep career.
Larson is a standout in football serving as ELC's quarterback and a defensive back. This past summer he was an all-state performer in baseball. Larson's father, Troy, spent six years as an assistant at South Dakota State in the 2000s. Larson plans to major in business at SDSU.
"Owen's ability to compete is already at a high level," Henderson said. "He's a physical guard that can really defend. His ability to understand the game at his age is incredible. He can get by people, finish around the rim, shoot it from deep and he's tough. Owen has a chance to make an impact right away."
Alec Squires | Center/Forward | 6-10 | 245 | Volga, S.D. | Sioux Valley HS
Alec Squires is coming off an All-State season for Sioux Valley High School as he and the Cossacks look ahead to the 2023-24 season. Squires, a letterwinner twice, has averaged a double-double in points and rebounds for his high school career.
As a junior, Squires averaged 15 points and 11 rebounds while shooting 75% from the field. He was a State Class A All-Tournament Team, All-Brookings Register and all-conference performer. He helped lead Sioux Valley to a consolation finish at the 2023 state tournament a season after contributing to a state runner-up showing in 2022.
Squires enters his senior season with 650 career points and 560 career rebounds. He already holds Sioux Valley's field goal records, for both a career and season, as well as dunks. Squires has a significant family history of attending South Dakota State which includes his parents David and Tara. Squires plans to major in business.
"Alec has great pride and passion for the Jackrabbits," Henderson said. "Any time we believe there's a guy that's talented enough to play here that has great character and cares about a place as much as Alec does SDSU, it's a great fit. He's a tremendous worker, he's physical and athletic.
"What I like most about Alec is from the first time I saw him play to the last time, he's improved so much. That really highlights his work ethic. He's becoming a more versatile of a player and we're excited to get him on campus."
The South Dakota State men's basketball team continues its 2023-24 season on Wednesday evening. The Jackrabbits are set to square off against Dakota Wesleyan at 7 p.m. in Frost Arena.
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