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Here is an article from today's Argus, it is about Joe Krabbenhoft. Although it looks like he is headed for one of the "Big" programs there may be a benifit for SDSU!
http://www.argusleader.com/sports/Sundayfeature.shtml
No average Joe
Stu Whitney
Argus Leader
published: 12/21/2003
Versatile star doesn't want to forget his roots
Joe Krabbenhoft has a lot to learn about being a high-profile college basketball prospect.
The Roosevelt High School junior is the most heavily recruited South Dakota athlete since Mike Miller, and he doesn't even have a tattoo. No earrings, either.
There's no Hummer, no baggy pants, no baseball cap flipped backwards, not even a posse. Instead of rap music, Krabbenhoft sheepishly admits listening to country crooner Toby Keith.
Could it be that this versatile 6-foot-7 guard, ranked among the top 40 juniors in the nation by most recruiting experts, is just an average Joe?
"I'm not an earring or a tattoo guy," confirms Krabbenhoft, 16, who is sidelined until January after having surgery to repair a stress fracture in his left foot.
"I think I'd be living in a different house if I came home and my mom and dad saw that. From an early age, my parents and coaches have taught me to be humble and treat people with respect. There's no reason to get cocky and start thinking I'm the man."
But today's hoop culture celebrates rim-rattling stars such as LeBron James, who soar straight to the NBA while soaking up the sensation of being seen.
Even Miller, the Mitchell native who starred at the University of Florida and now plays for the NBA's Memphis Grizzlies, went the earring route while embracing the urban individuality of the playground game.
So what's up with Krabbenhoft, who proudly proclaims his Upper Midwestern roots with a selfless style that stresses rebounding, defense and making his teammates better?
"When people ask about Joe, I tell them, 'You're not going to see a highlight reel with a bunch of fancy dunks,'" says Roosevelt coach Bob Wilber, who saw Krabbenhoft lead the Rough Riders in points (12.0), rebounds (7.1) and assists (4.7) as an all-state sophomore in 2002-03.
"What you're going to see is a guy who's fundamentally sound - a very good rebounder and defender who plays within the team concept. As a coach, I don't think you can ask for anything more."
Want proof? Consider the bevy of big-name Division I coaches flocking to Sioux Falls after Krabbenhoft's sizzling summer, which featured a trip to the prestigious Nike All-American Camp in Indianapolis.
Krabbenhoft, who could join Miller as the only McDonald's All-Americans in state history, recently discussed the merits of the Upper Midwest during an hour-long phone chat with Arizona coach Lute Olson, who hails from North Dakota.
He traveled to Kansas in late November to watch the Jayhawks beat Michigan State and was offered a scholarship on the spot by Kansas coach Bill Self.
He has shot baskets with Florida's Billy Donovan, entertained Minnesota's Dan Monson and Wisconsin's Bo Ryan at Roosevelt and played 3-on-3 for a group of A-list coaches that included Duke's Mike Krzyzewski and North Carolina's Roy Williams.
How badly do these guys want Krabbenhoft?
Well, Notre Dame's Mike Brey has offered to play a game in Sioux Falls if the Catholic school lands its Lutheran recruit. That promise has stirred talk of a future matchup between Notre Dame and soon-to-be-Division I South Dakota State at the Arena.
Krabbenhoft has already been offered scholarships by Kansas, Notre Dame, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Creighton and North Carolina State.
That's more offers than Miller, the 2001 NBA Rookie of the Year, had pocketed at this stage of the process.
"At the Nike camp, Joe showed he can play with anybody in the country," says analyst Chris Monter of the Monter Draft and College Basketball News. "More people got to see him in that environment, and coaches got hooked."
Out of loyalty to regional roots and the coaches who courted him first, Krabbenhoft is focused on Midwest-based programs Minnesota, Wisconsin, Creighton, Kansas and Notre Dame.
But he has not ruled out nationally-prominent schools such as Florida, Arizona, Michigan State, North Carolina State and Michigan - with more suitors likely on the way.
Krabbenhoft has paid unofficial visits to most of these colleges and could announce a verbal commitment as early as next April.
"Which way is he leaning? It depends on which day you ask him," says Paul Seville, director of basketball operations for the Dakota Schoolers, Krabbenhoft's summer AAU team.
"Things have really heated up, and his appeal is that he plays so hard. He's also low maintenance, which college coaches love. He gets good grades, he stays out of trouble, and he's the type of kid who's going to help you potentially win a national championship."
OK, so maybe Krabbenhoft doesn't have so much to learn. So far, he sounds like the perfect antidote to the ego-based ills that plague major college basketball .
And still not an earring in sight.
Love to get him, but if we can't a game in Sioux Falls with one of the Big Guy would be a nice consolation prize.
Go SDSU!
http://www.argusleader.com/sports/Sundayfeature.shtml
No average Joe
Stu Whitney
Argus Leader
published: 12/21/2003
Versatile star doesn't want to forget his roots
Joe Krabbenhoft has a lot to learn about being a high-profile college basketball prospect.
The Roosevelt High School junior is the most heavily recruited South Dakota athlete since Mike Miller, and he doesn't even have a tattoo. No earrings, either.
There's no Hummer, no baggy pants, no baseball cap flipped backwards, not even a posse. Instead of rap music, Krabbenhoft sheepishly admits listening to country crooner Toby Keith.
Could it be that this versatile 6-foot-7 guard, ranked among the top 40 juniors in the nation by most recruiting experts, is just an average Joe?
"I'm not an earring or a tattoo guy," confirms Krabbenhoft, 16, who is sidelined until January after having surgery to repair a stress fracture in his left foot.
"I think I'd be living in a different house if I came home and my mom and dad saw that. From an early age, my parents and coaches have taught me to be humble and treat people with respect. There's no reason to get cocky and start thinking I'm the man."
But today's hoop culture celebrates rim-rattling stars such as LeBron James, who soar straight to the NBA while soaking up the sensation of being seen.
Even Miller, the Mitchell native who starred at the University of Florida and now plays for the NBA's Memphis Grizzlies, went the earring route while embracing the urban individuality of the playground game.
So what's up with Krabbenhoft, who proudly proclaims his Upper Midwestern roots with a selfless style that stresses rebounding, defense and making his teammates better?
"When people ask about Joe, I tell them, 'You're not going to see a highlight reel with a bunch of fancy dunks,'" says Roosevelt coach Bob Wilber, who saw Krabbenhoft lead the Rough Riders in points (12.0), rebounds (7.1) and assists (4.7) as an all-state sophomore in 2002-03.
"What you're going to see is a guy who's fundamentally sound - a very good rebounder and defender who plays within the team concept. As a coach, I don't think you can ask for anything more."
Want proof? Consider the bevy of big-name Division I coaches flocking to Sioux Falls after Krabbenhoft's sizzling summer, which featured a trip to the prestigious Nike All-American Camp in Indianapolis.
Krabbenhoft, who could join Miller as the only McDonald's All-Americans in state history, recently discussed the merits of the Upper Midwest during an hour-long phone chat with Arizona coach Lute Olson, who hails from North Dakota.
He traveled to Kansas in late November to watch the Jayhawks beat Michigan State and was offered a scholarship on the spot by Kansas coach Bill Self.
He has shot baskets with Florida's Billy Donovan, entertained Minnesota's Dan Monson and Wisconsin's Bo Ryan at Roosevelt and played 3-on-3 for a group of A-list coaches that included Duke's Mike Krzyzewski and North Carolina's Roy Williams.
How badly do these guys want Krabbenhoft?
Well, Notre Dame's Mike Brey has offered to play a game in Sioux Falls if the Catholic school lands its Lutheran recruit. That promise has stirred talk of a future matchup between Notre Dame and soon-to-be-Division I South Dakota State at the Arena.
Krabbenhoft has already been offered scholarships by Kansas, Notre Dame, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Creighton and North Carolina State.
That's more offers than Miller, the 2001 NBA Rookie of the Year, had pocketed at this stage of the process.
"At the Nike camp, Joe showed he can play with anybody in the country," says analyst Chris Monter of the Monter Draft and College Basketball News. "More people got to see him in that environment, and coaches got hooked."
Out of loyalty to regional roots and the coaches who courted him first, Krabbenhoft is focused on Midwest-based programs Minnesota, Wisconsin, Creighton, Kansas and Notre Dame.
But he has not ruled out nationally-prominent schools such as Florida, Arizona, Michigan State, North Carolina State and Michigan - with more suitors likely on the way.
Krabbenhoft has paid unofficial visits to most of these colleges and could announce a verbal commitment as early as next April.
"Which way is he leaning? It depends on which day you ask him," says Paul Seville, director of basketball operations for the Dakota Schoolers, Krabbenhoft's summer AAU team.
"Things have really heated up, and his appeal is that he plays so hard. He's also low maintenance, which college coaches love. He gets good grades, he stays out of trouble, and he's the type of kid who's going to help you potentially win a national championship."
OK, so maybe Krabbenhoft doesn't have so much to learn. So far, he sounds like the perfect antidote to the ego-based ills that plague major college basketball .
And still not an earring in sight.
Love to get him, but if we can't a game in Sioux Falls with one of the Big Guy would be a nice consolation prize.
Go SDSU!
;D Here is the Argus story:
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