NCAA Basketball: 10 best players from state of South Dakota of last decade

4. Brayden Carlson – South Dakota State

A 6’4 guard from Brookings, Carlson stayed in his hometown, spending his four-year collegiate career over at South Dakota State. Like a few other players on today’s list, he was a vital part of the earliest D1 successes for the Jackrabbits. Carlson arrived on campus in 2010, spending his freshman season as an underused bench piece, but developing into a full-time starter in the backcourt for his final three campaigns.

The stats weren’t bad during his freshman year, it just took until his sophomore year for him to get considerable playing time. He averaged at least 2.5 assists in each of his final three seasons while his overall offensive numbers rose. He helped lead South Dakota State to their first two NCAA Tournament appearances, scoring 20 points against Michigan in the Big Dance during his junior year in 2013. As a senior, he averaged 14.9 points and 2.9 assists per game, taking on a bigger scoring role in the offense, though the team ultimately settled for a CBI bid in the end.

Carlson grew into his role as an important weapon for their two NCAA Tournament teams before earning All-Summit League Second Team honors for his senior season. He really emerged as an offensive weapon after some departures late in his career, standing out throughout his entire career with the Jackrabbits. He wasn’t the impact or known player on those Tournament teams, but the Jackrabbits’ team would not have been the same without Carlson running the offense.