Valley Grown: Palmer grad enjoying solid start to season with Nanooks

PALMER — A former Palmer High School standout is enjoying a big start to the junior year of his college basketball career.

Michael Kluting, a 2016 graduate of PHS, is averaging nearly a double-double through the first eight games of the season for the Division II UAF Nanooks. The 2016 Northern Lights Conference Player of the Year is averaging 13.5 points and 9.1 rebounds per game, both team highs. The 6-foot-7 forward is also shooting 50.6 percent from the field, which also leads the Nanooks.

Kluting’s junior season already includes a 33-point effort against Hawaii-Hilo. Kluting shot 11 of 15 from the floor, hit 11 of 14 free throws and pulled down a season-high 16 rebounds. The 33 points and 16 boards were both career highs.

He has a pair of double-doubles this year, and has 10 or more rebounds in four games.

Kluting has started all eight games this season. He has appeared in 62 career games for the Nanooks, and made 23 starts as a sophomore. Following his freshman year, Kluting was named UAF’s Most Improved Player.

Kluting played only his senior season at Palmer, but helped the Moose win the NLC title and advance to the 4A state tournament.

Kluting is one of a pair of former Valley standouts on the UAF roster.

Alex Baham, a 2015 graduate of Wasilla High, is a senior with the Nanooks. Baham has started seven of UAF’s eight games this season. The 6-4 guard is averaging 8.6 points and 2.3 rebounds per game. Baham leads UAF with 16 three-pointers.

UAF is 3-5 this season.

The UAF women’s team features former Wasilla girls standout Kaylyn Kelly. The sophomore guard is averaging 18.8 minutes per game this season for the 3-3 Nanooks.

Valley Grown is a regular feature highlighting the work of Valley athletes on the next level.