Recruiting Report: Sam Auen (2018)
Last season, Sam Auen was a key role player for one of the best 2A teams in the state. This season, the 6-foot-2 shooting guard will be a marquee player with Kuemper.
And after spending his spring and summer working on his game, his confidence, and his versatility as a player, Auen has started to see some recruitment come his way.
“I’ve had Buena Vista, Coe College, Simpson, Central, Dordt and Morningside. I just want to go out this season, and help the team, and then try and get as many schools as possible interested in me. Those five schools have contacted me, and I’ve loved the (recruitment) experience so far,” said Auen, who’s visited Buena Vista, Coe and Simpson.
Whichever program lands the talented sharpshooting senior, could get a guy who’s just scratching the surface of how good he could be.
“Last year, I would say I was more of a shooter and defender, and I talked to my coach after the season and he said my role will change. So, I’ve been changing my game and making it to where I can do anything on the court; dribble, take the ball to the rack, shoot and defend. And I improved on all of that quite a bit from the first tournament to the last tournament,” said Auen.
“I’m an all-around player now, and I can do anything on the court, and I can’t wait for this next season.”
After averaging 10.5 points last season, and canning 62 3s at a very good 43 percent clip, Auen is ready to showcase his expanded game this season. And getting his team back to Wells Fargo Arena is the mission.
“Last year we had a great team, but this year I’ve improved so much and have gained so much confidence in myself. We obviously don’t have Matt Dentlinger anymore, and he’s one of the best players to come through Kuemper, ever,” said Auen.
“But we’re going to be a great defensive team. We’re going to get up and down the court fast. We’re going to go out and do what we do, and just win games.”