Recruiting Recap: Caleb Grill (2019)
Maize guard Caleb Grill, one of the state’s premier players in the 2019 class, made a surprise decision on Tuesday as he chose South Dakota State over a host of suitors.
He says he had narrowed his list after the April live period, but continued to draw new offers through the July period as he recently picked up offers from Texas Tech, Nebraska and others. He held more than a dozen offers when he announced his decision.
“I chose SDSU because I felt that it was the best fit for me,” he says. “I loved everything about it when I went on campus there.”
At 6’3, Grill is a combo guard who is known for his outside shooting and range that extends well beyond the 3-point arc and combines that skill with terrific athleticism, the ability to play above the rim, and all-around game.
The son of Chris Grill, the head coach at Maize, Caleb Grill also brings a high basketball IQ to the floor and the ability to act as a coach on the floor. Although he can put points on the board in a hurry, Grill is often content to let the game come to him.
“I’m a type of player to just try and make the right play,” he says. “I’m not going to go hunt shots down to try and average 30 points a game. Scoring is probably the biggest part of my game.”
Grill put together a big summer competing for NLHA, a program that features several of the best players in the Wichita area.
“I had a lot of fun summer time is very fun because you’re playing in front of rows of college coaches,” Grill said. “You don’t want to be scared or nervous about anything just go out and play basketball.”
Grill says his parents have had the biggest influence on his basketball career to date.
“They are always pushing me to become better and work on my game all the time,” he says.
A fan of Golden State’s Klay Thomoson, Grill says he tries to implement various elements of the star guard’s game into his own.
“It’s crazy how consistent of a shooter he is and every time he lets go of the ball I think it’s going in,” Grill said. “I try to mimic my game to be like him.”