Wasilla post Division I bound

WASILLA — Wasilla head coach Ryan Engebretsen said the day Warriors senior Connor Devine called the South Dakota State University men’s basketball coaching staff to give his verbal commitment to the Division I program, the Jackrabbits coaches left the office for the day to play a round of golf.

Why not?

In their minds, by signing Devine, their work was done.

On Wednesday, Devine made it official, signing his National Letter of Intent to attend the Brookings, S.D., school and play basketball for the Division I squad. Engebretsen said the thrill in South Dakota goes beyond the coaching staff.

“The whole town was excited about it,” Engebretsen said of Devine’s commitment to the school.

And that thrill extended to Wasilla High, where Devine inked his intent while surrounded by a flood of family, friends, coaches and teammates, using a quick signature to ensure that a lifelong dream will become a reality.

“I’ve always dreamed, thinking how awesome it would be to play Division I,” Devine said, sporting his gold South Dakota State sweatshirt. “I made it my goal, and my dad kept telling me I’ve got to work hard every day.”

Devine, a 6-foot-10, first-team all-state forward, received significant interest from a variety of Division I programs.

“Some I was talking to a lot, others every now and then,” Devine said.

There was serious interest from Denver University, Colorado State and Division II UAA. Engebretsen said there were more DI programs that really liked Devine and wanted to continue to follow him.

“He drew interest from programs all the way up to Top-25 programs,” Engebretsen said. “They really liked his game, his motor, his agility, the way he moves on the floor for his size.”

Those are among the attributes, Engebretsen said, that separates Devine from the average big man.

“I think he’s pretty special in the sense he’s worked really hard to develop his perimeter game,” Engebretsen said. “He’s a really well-rounded big kid. He doesn’t bring the mass necessarily, but he’s working on that.”

Engebretsen said Devine is a unique talent, when comparing the Wasilla senior to other Alaska big men. There have been other talents inside who have made their way to the Division I level. Former Warrior standout Ray Schafer, a 7-footer, played at Oregon. Another, 7-footer, Kodiak graduate Nick Billings, was at Binghampton in New York.

But when comparing to athletes such as Billings, who Engebretsen called a defensive stud, Devine has the advantage, with the ability to change the game at both ends of the floor.

“Defensively, offensively, he’s a tool not everybody can find,” Engebretsen said of Devine, who averaged 17 points, 11 rebounds and 5.5 blocked shots per game as a junior.

Devine said he will play forward for the Jackrabbits, which he is excited about.

“At first they were looking at me at center and they weren’t too interested. That’s not really the position I was looking at,” Devine said. “After they saw me play this summer, they thought forward would be a good position for me. I can shoot outside and still go inside and make some post moves. I think they realized that position was a little better for me, which I was very happy with.”

Devine said he was excited to get attention from a variety of Division I teams, mainly during his trips Outside.

“It definitely makes you feel like you’re actually a player and have a chance to play Division I,” Devine said. “I was really happy going down to those camps. It really helped me believe I could do this.”

Devine said a variety of reasons led him to choose South Dakota State.

“I went to the camp this summer and I really liked the coaching staff,” Devine said. “I went on my official visit and got to hang out with all the guys.”

Devine also said his dad, Mike, grew up about 45 minutes from Brookings and he has family in the area, which was a big draw.

Devine said he still may redshirt as a freshman. He’s added 25 pounds to his 6-10 frame since last year and would like to add another 25-30 pounds.

“It’s definitely a possibility to redshirt so I can get stronger and improve my game,” Devine said.

In a press release issued by South Dakota State athletics, Jackrabbits head coach Scott Nagy voiced his excitement of the addition of Devine.

“We’re very pleased to sign Connor, because he’s exactly what we need in the future,” Nagy said. “It’s been a long time since we’ve had a shot blocker like Connor. He’s extremely long and very quick off his feet with great anticipation. He may need a year to put on some weight, but we believe he’ll be a big factor in the middle for years to come.”

South Dakota State competes in the Summit League.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiesman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.