Schlepp, Doug

The 1970 Java High grad left the South Dakota School of Mines as the all-time leading men’s basketball scorer among South Dakota colleges with 2,440 points. The 5-foot-9, 155-pound guard did so before the advent of the 3-point shot. He also held the scoring record for NAIA District 12 (South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana, Nebraska). […]

Schmidt, James

A lifelong Dell Rapids resident, Schmidt was a three-time all-North Central Conference basketball player for South Dakota State and twice led the league in scoring. The 6-foot-2 Schmidt was known as the “underhanded shooting wizard” for his abilities in dropping in layups and drawing fouls. “In my sophomore year at State I played varsity basketball […]

Schueler, Steph

Born July 15, 1968, in Detroit Lakes, Minn. Sioux Falls (1987 Lincoln HS grad). Iowa. Was the first four-year letterwinner in the history of Sioux Falls boys/girls basketball. Was a Parade magazine prep All-American in 1986, also South Dakota’s Gatorade player of the year in girls basketball and track. First-team all-state three years. Set the […]

Sanders, John “Deac”

1968 Sunshine Bible Academy (near Miller)/1973 USD graduate. Born in Chicago, Sanders played six seasons as a defensive back in the NFL (1974-76 with New England and 1977-79 with Philadelphia). The 6-1, 177-pounder intercepted six passes in 1977 (second best in the NFL that year) and five each in 1974 and 1978 for a career […]

Schlekeway, Jill (Theeler)

The 1997 Mitchell High grad blazed to three state records in an incredible final two years of high school track. In 1997, she set state records in the 100 meters (11.66), 200 (24.27) and 400 (55.25). She won the 100, 200 and 400 and ran on the winning 1,600 relay at the state Class AA […]

McKee, Vern

Vern McKee was born on April 28, 1930. He grew up in Huron and was a 1948 Browns Valley (Minn.) High School and a 1956 Huron College graduate. McKee is among the few South Dakotans to sign pro contracts in two sports. McKee played three years as a centerfielder in the St. Louis Browns and […]

Miller, Alan

Alan Miller was one of South Dakota’s greatest prep and college basketball players. He graduated from Stickney High School in 1981 and Dakota Wesleyan College in 1985. He was a four-year starter at DWU and still holds the school’s all-time scoring record with 2,920 career points (No. 1 in the state at the time, now […]

Mitchell, Jim

The national deaf basketball player of the year as a senior in 1954, the 6-foot-1 Mitchell averaged 27.2 points a game for the South Dakota School for the Deaf that season, including a 52-point effort against Worthing. The 27.2 was a national deaf record. In the 52-point game, he was 17 of 24 from the […]

Morgan, Scott

Scott Morgan is the most decorated male basketball player in Dakota Wesleyan University history. The 6-7 forward was voted the NAIA Division II National Player of the Year in 1992 and 1993. He scored 2,810 points in his career, averaging 25.8 points per game and 10.7 rebounds. In his junior season, Morgan led the nation […]

Nelson, Chad

The 1974 Yankton High grad was one of the few South Dakotans drafted by a pro basketball team – and the only one to be drafted twice. The 6-foot-11 Nelson was a ninth-round pick of the New Orleans (now Utah) Jazz in 1978 and a 10th-round pick of the Atlanta Hawks in 1979. He did […]