BROOKINGS – South Dakota State men’s basketball announced a pair of signees on Wednesday’s National Signing Day, with William Mfum and Noah King set to join the Jackrabbits in fall 2020.
“We are extremely excited to welcome both William and Noah to the Jackrabbit family,” head coach Eric Henderson said. “Our newest Jackrabbits will be a great fit to our program and fans will enjoy seeing them wear the yellow and blue.”
William Mfum enters his senior campaign at Spring Creek Academy (Plano, Texas) on a high note, earning All-Texas Christian Athletic League and All-City First Team honors as a junior. Mfum averaged 19.7 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game in 2018-19, burying 34 3-pointers and hitting 47 percent from the field. The 6-2 guard scored 20 or more points in nine games a year ago and had one double-double. Originally from Columbus, Ohio, Mfum is the son of Stella Nyarko and Seth Adjei and plans to major in business management.
“Willy’s athleticism, versatility and passion for the game will be something our fans will appreciate,” Henderson said. “He prides himself on being an aggressive defender and is electric in the open floor.”
Noah King averaged 19 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 2.0 steals per game as a junior, helping his team reach the section 1AA semifinals. The 6-2 guard has scored over 1,900 points in his prep career and is closing in on the school’s all-time scoring record. King also led Caledonia’s football team to a state championship in 2018 and will compete in the 2019 Class 2A Minnesota State Football Semifinals next week. The younger brother of current Jackrabbit Owen King, Noah hails from Caledonia, Minnesota and is the son of Brad and Susan King. He is undecided on his major.
“Noah’s competitive spirit and ability to get to the basket to create scoring opportunities makes him special,” Henderson said. “His passing instincts and unselfishness make him a perfect fit for South Dakota State.”
Women’s Basketball
South Dakota State women’s basketball head coach Aaron Johnston announced the addition of three signees on Wednesday’s national signing day. All three student-athletes will enroll at SDSU for the 2020-21 academic year as incoming freshman and will be eligible to play for the Jackrabbits next season.
Madysen Vlastuin was named the SD Gatorade Player of the Year, a KELO GBB Player of the Year finalist, Argus Leader First Five and the Midco SN Class A Player of the Year as a junior.
A first team Class A all-state, Dakota XII Conference MVP and Dakota XII all-conference first team selection as a freshman, sophomore and junior. Named to the Dakota XII all-conference third team as an eight grader.
Reached her 1,000 point milestone as a sophomore.
During her freshman year she helped the Lennox girls basketball team to a second-place finish at the South Dakota Class A state basketball tournament.
As a freshman, Emily Herzberg averaged 10.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game. Earned all-conference honorable mention honors As a sophomore she averaged 12.2 points, 6.1 rebound and 3.6 assists per game.
Earned first team all-conference, WBCA and AP honorable mention all-state selections, while helping her team to a second-place finish at the state tournament.
During her junior campaign, she was named first team all-conference, WBCA and AP honorable mention all-state and LaCrosse Tribune all-region team, while helping her team to its second-straight runner-up finish at the state basketball tournament. Averaged 12.1 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.2 assists during the 2018-19 season.
Mesa Byom is a three-year varsity letterwinner in basketball, volleyball and soccer.
A three-time first team all-conference selection in basketball. Wisconsin girls basketball all-state honorable mention team honoree. Named to the All-Tribune first team and WBCA all-state team as a junior.
Helped her team to a second-place finish at the Wisconsin state basketball tournament as a sophomore and junior. Averaged 13.2 points and 8.8 rebounds per game during her junior season.
Heads into her senior season with a total of 976 points. A three-time academic all-conference honoree
“We welcome Emily, Madysen, and Mesa to our Jackrabbits family,” said Johnston. “All three can play multiple positions and will fit in very well with our versatile roster. They are great additions to our program as well as our campus and community.”
