Best High School Basketball Players In South Dakota

South Dakota may not be a state that immediately comes to mind when one thinks of high school basketball, but the state has produced its fair share of talented players over the years. Here, we take a look at some of the best high school basketball players in South Dakota history.

1. Mike Miller

Mike Miller is a native of Mitchell, South Dakota and is without a doubt one of the best basketball players to ever come out of the state. He played for the University of Florida and went on to have a successful career in the NBA, winning two championships with the Miami Heat. Miller was known for his shooting ability and was considered one of the best three-point shooters of his time.

2. Becky Hammon

Becky Hammon grew up in Rapid City, South Dakota and went on to become one of the best women's basketball players of all time. She played professionally for 16 seasons and was a six-time WNBA All-Star. Hammon was also the first woman to serve as a full-time assistant coach in the NBA, working for the San Antonio Spurs.

3. Eric Piatkowski

Eric Piatkowski is a native of Rapid City, South Dakota and played college basketball for the University of Nebraska. He went on to have a 14-year career in the NBA, playing for teams like the Los Angeles Clippers and the Chicago Bulls. Piatkowski was known for his shooting ability and finished his career with a three-point shooting percentage of 38.5%.

4. Mike Miller Jr.

Mike Miller Jr. is the son of Mike Miller and was also born in Mitchell, South Dakota. He played high school basketball in Florida and went on to play for the University of Central Florida. Miller Jr. currently plays professionally in Europe.

5. Becky Flynn

Becky Flynn is a native of Sioux Falls, South Dakota and played college basketball for the University of South Dakota. She was a two-time All-American and finished her college career as the school's all-time leading scorer. Flynn went on to play professionally in Europe for several seasons.

6. Terrell Newton

Terrell Newton is a native of Sioux Falls, South Dakota and played college basketball for the University of Texas at El Paso. He went on to have a brief career in the NBA, playing for the Milwaukee Bucks and the Portland Trail Blazers. Newton was known for his rebounding ability and was considered one of the best rebounders in the country during his college career.

7. Alan Miller

Alan Miller is a native of Huron, South Dakota and played college basketball for the University of South Dakota. He went on to have a brief career in the NBA, playing for the Detroit Pistons and the Indiana Pacers. Miller was known for his shooting ability and finished his NBA career with a three-point shooting percentage of 41.5%.

8. Megan Mahoney

Megan Mahoney is a native of Spearfish, South Dakota and played college basketball for the University of Kansas. She went on to play professionally in Europe for several seasons and was also a member of the United States women's national basketball team. Mahoney was known for her versatility on the court and was a skilled scorer and rebounder.

9. Mike Heemstra

Mike Heemstra is a native of Sioux Falls, South Dakota and played college basketball for Augustana University. He went on to play professionally in Europe for several seasons and was also a member of the South Dakota Sports Hall of Fame. Heemstra was known for his shooting ability and finished his college career as the school's all-time leading scorer.

10. Maya Selland

Maya Selland is a native of Letcher, South Dakota and currently plays college basketball for South Dakota State University. She was named the Summit League Player of the Year in 2021 and has been a standout player for the Jackrabbits since her freshman year. Selland is considered one of the best high school basketball players in the state's history.

Conclusion

South Dakota may not be a state that is well-known for its high school basketball talent, but these players prove that the state has produced some truly exceptional athletes over the years. From Mike Miller to Maya Selland, these players have proven that hard work and dedication can lead to success both on and off the court.

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