BARNHART, WILKINSON ADDED TO 2023-24 ROSTER

BROOKINGS, S.D. – South Dakota State men's basketball added depth to its front court during the regular signing period as the Jackrabbits received paperwork from Nate Barnhart and Damon Wilkinson. Barnhart joins the Jackrabbits entering his sophomore year of eligibility while Wilkinson graduates from high school this spring and will be a freshman going into the 2023-24 season.

Nate Barnhart | 7-0 | Forward | Lenexa, Kan. | De Soto High School | Wyoming
Barnhart spent the previous two years at the University of Wyoming. Barnhart utilized the 2021-22 season as a redshirt on a Cowboy squad that advanced to the NCAA Tournament. As a redshirt freshman in 2022-23, Barnhart played in 20 games and started in three. While he averaged 2.6 points and 1.9 rebounds in 11.2 minutes per game, Barnhart shot 56.8% from the field and was 5-for-14 (35.7%) from 3-point range.

The Lenexa, Kan., native claimed a Mountain West Conference Freshman of the Week honor on Feb. 6 this past season. He earned the accolades following a career-high 12-point and two-block performance against Fresno State and a four-rebound effort at San Jose State. Barnhart had another double-digit scoring showing when he tallied 11 on Jan. 17 versus Air Force, going 5 of 5 from the floor and playing a career-high 31 minutes. He registered his college best of nine rebounds in 20 minutes of action versus UNLV on Feb. 8.

Barnhart graduated from De Soto High School in 2021. He was ranked as a three-star recruit by Rivals.com and was listed as the 39th best center in his signing class. Barnhart was a multiple time all-conference selection during his prep career. He claimed Second Team All-State honors as a junior and was an honorable mention as a senior.

"We're extremely excited about Nate joining our program," said South Dakota State head coach Eric Henderson. "Obviously having some college experience, combined with his size and versality, are things we're really looking forward to with Nate joining us. His ability to play all over the floor at his size and be able to stretch out and shoot from deep is really going to benefit our program."

Damon Wilkinson | 6-10 | Forward | De Smet, S.D. | De Smet High School
The Jackrabbits added another state champion from De Smet High School to its roster as Wilkinson joins prep teammate Kalen Garry on the Jackrabbit roster. Wilkinson helped De Smet claim a South Dakota Class B State championship for a third consecutive year this spring. He helped De Smet earn nearly 100 wins during his time on the varsity roster, recording nearly 1,200 points and setting a school record of 785 rebounds.

Wilkinson averaged 22 points, 13 rebounds nearly two blocks per game as a senior. A 2023 Boys South Dakota All-Star game participant, Wilkinson was honored as the Dakota Valley Conference's Most Valuable Player in 2023. He was one of two finalists for Midco Sports' Class B Player of the Year honor, which went to incoming fall signing Joe Sayler, and is also a finalist for the KELOLAND All-Star Boys Basketball Player of the Year award. Wilkinson claimed Class B All-State First Team honors this season after earning Second Team laurels as a junior. He earned All-Tournament honors during each state title run for De Smet.

Wilkinson has also been successful in the classroom being awarded with multiple Academic All-State selections. He's been a member of National Honor Society during his entire high school career. A strong athlete on the court, Wilkinson also has been a standout in football and track and field. His mother is in the Augustana University Athletics Hall of Fame for her play on the women's basketball team, while his dad played football at South Dakota State.

"Physicality and having a winning mentality are things that we take a lot of pride in in this program and Damon brings both of those to the table," Henderson said. "Being a local guy, it's important for us to get the best players in South Dakota and we believe Damon is one of those."

-GoJacks.com-

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Kalen Garry

Completed Event: Men's Basketball versus #2 St. Thomas on March 5, 2026 , Loss , 67, to, 80

Completed Event: Men's Basketball at South Dakota on February 28, 2026 , Loss , 70, to, 75

Completed Event: Men's Basketball at Kansas City on February 26, 2026 , Win , 73, to, 59

Completed Event: Men's Basketball versus North Dakota on February 21, 2026 , Win , 91, to, 83

Completed Event: Men's Basketball versus North Dakota State on February 18, 2026 , Loss , 66, to, 74

Completed Event: Men's Basketball at Oral Roberts on February 14, 2026 , Win , 87, to, 69

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