Prospect Spotlight: PJ Rundquist (2019)
Wapsie Valley has certainly had some standout players come through in the past — think Brooks McKowen — and now PJ Rundquist can be added to that list.
The sophomore dropped 50 points earlier this season in win over Sumner-Fredricksburg — and he had officially arrived.
“After the first period in that game I only had two or three points because of foul trouble,” said Rundquist. “And we were down after that, so I knew I had to do something. And then my shot was just going down — it was one of those nights.”
He had a stellar freshman season with the Warriors, and he defined to PHIA what it is that makes him such a dynamic player.
“Of course, I like to hit the 3, and I’m always looking to drive, but I’ll settle for a 3 anytime. And I like my pull-up jumper too,” he said. “I just need to keep working on my dribbling and defense, without those you can’t really score that much.”
Though he’s just a sophomore, Rundquist is the leader of his squad, and when they need a bucket, he’s the guy.
“They definitely look up to me, even though I’m just a sophomore,” he said. “And we have good chemistry and everything, and they know that if we’re not playing good or something, that I’m going to try and score.”
He’s been outstanding through the early part of the season, and is averaging 25.3 points, while connecting on 50 percent of his 3-point attempts.
“Our coach has really had us in the gym a lot, and every week we’re supposed to get up at least 800 shots outside of practice, and that’s really helped,” said Rundquist.
He’ll play with the Iowa Mavericks again at the conclusion of this season — something he’s eager to do.
“I’ve been excited to play summer ball before basketball season even started, and since it ended last summer,” said Rundquist. “And of course I’m looking for recruitment, but I really just want to play.”