JACKRABBITS TAKE SUMMER WORKOUTS IN STRIDE

Charlie Easley

Photo by: Andrew Pedersen

8/2/2023 4:04:00 PM | Men's Basketball

By: Andrew Pedersen

BROOKINGS, S.D. — While fall sports at South Dakota State begin to ramp up for their 2023 seasons, the Jackrabbit men's basketball team is in the midst of a break from workouts after nearly a full summer on campus. Starting in June and ending during the final week of July, all 15 Jackrabbits on the roster had a chance to work together in preparation for the upcoming 2023-24 season.

"I think that's what summer is all about, to get your team more connected and build relationships," said SDSU head coach Eric Henderson. "You're just trying to build that connection between each other.

"We have a very unique group with many returners, but really a lot of fresh faces. We've got guys that have been in college for six years and others that are just stepping on campus for the very first time. The character of our team is incredible, the ability for our older guys to connect with the younger guys, and vice versa, has been pretty special."

A 2022-23 season saw the Jackrabbits complete a solid 19-13 overall campaign. The SDSU men's squad lost three seniors from that team in Alex Arians, Matt Dentlinger and Aaron Fiegen, but return a contingent of mainstays from a season ago. That includes several guys that have donned Yellow and Blue over the course of multiple years such as Matt Mims, Luke Appel, Charlie Easley and Zeke Mayo.

"The guy that sticks out the most is Matt Mims because he's going into his sixth year in our program," Henderson said of the leadership from his upperclassmen. "He played with Mike Daum, so he's played with a variety of teams and guys and has had different roles on NCAA Tournament teams. He knows what it looks like and knows what a group looks like that will be successful. To be able to use his experience to help foster that with the other guys is huge.

"We have guys like Luke and Charlie who have been in our program for four years who have also made the NCAA Tournament and Zeke as well as a freshman. They've all had different roles and made impacts on teams that have been successful. Having them be able to share that experience and help share what it takes to get there is pretty special."

Six others on the SDSU roster have at least one year of college under their belts. Among them, four in Matthew Mors, William Kyle III and Tanner Te Slaa – along with first-year transfer Nate Barnhart – have a SEASON of college basketball to hang their hats on as they prep for the upcoming slate for the Jackrabbits. A year as redshirts provided Kalen Garry and Jack Hastreiter time to develop as they look to contribute to the program on the floor this season.

That group of 10 were at the pedal leading the program to a positive stretch of growth over the last two months of workouts.

"The competitive spirit came to the forefront," Henderson said. "In the summer, we've always been a team that's focused mostly on our skill development, and we certainly did that. Our guys were itching to get after it and to compete so we did a few more team workouts than what we've done in the past. Our guys really stepped up to that challenge. They're always excited when we go full team workouts because they know there is going to be more of a competitive edge there.

"There was probably more emotions shown this summer than there has been in the past. It's important that we build that up to when we need it which is obviously when the season starts. It's a learned thing as well, so to be able to taste that edge and not go too far is a challenge for every coach."

A full lineup of freshmen joined the program as part of SDSU's 2023 recruiting class. All five in Bubz Alvarez, Conner Kraft, Joe Sayler, William Whorton and Damon Wilkinson participated in their first summer of college workouts and were able to get their first instruction from the Jackrabbit coaching staff.

"It's certainly a difference being able to have gone through it and know what to expect," Henderson said of the difference in a summer for a freshman versus a player with previous college experience. "Going through it for the first time, there is probably more anxiety and more nerves, but maybe less than there's ever been. Kids today have so many resources at their hands. They've played in big AAU games already against some of the best players in the country, so I don't think the gap is as big as it used to be, but there's still newness and an unknown.

"There's a lot of youthfulness in our program. That naiveness is something a coach loves to be able to work with. That means they're moldable and that's the best part of my job. I get to be able to give these young people the opportunity to achieve their hopes and dreams. When you see the young guys come in, the combination of it all is awesome to see."

The Jackrabbits will pick things back up when the 2023 fall semester begins at South Dakota State University on Aug. 21. Then it becomes all about the work it takes to get ready for the start of the 2023-24 season which will tip-off in November.

"Once they get to campus, it doesn't start right away, but our workouts will," Henderson said. "I told our guys to get in the gym some while they were gone, but I want them to relax and step away for a little bit and enjoy some time with family. Certainly get some work in, but it doesn't need to be no-holds barred. Their bodies need to get fresh and that's the most important thing over the next couple of weeks. Once they get back here, we'll ease into it, but it'll be go time soon enough."

-GoJacks.com-