Recruiting Report: Connor Bich (2019)
Hermantown went to the state tournament a year ago and if Connor Bich’s showing over the summer is any indication of things to come, the Hawks could be even better this season.
Bich, a 6-foot-7 forward averaged 14 points and seven rebounds as a junior and had a very productive summer with Comets De Los Reyes.
“I thought it went great,” Bich said of the AAU season. “The first few tournaments were a bit rough but it was the first time a lot of us had played together. We really improved over the season.”
Going from playing northern competition to top-shelf talent throughout the midwest is a big step up in competition. It was a challenge Bich welcomed.
“It’s better for me to guard the guys who are bigger and faster than me, so I have to work way harder than I would guarding somebody up north,” Bich said. “It helps you improve on all levels of the game.”
Bich isn’t the thickest forward, but he’s nimble and skilled. His ability to stretch the floor fits the mold of a typical big man nowadays and his defensive range allows him to not only defend perimeter-oriented bigs, but contest shots and rebound in the paint. He’s got a lot of tools in the proverbial shed.
“I’ve gotten a lot more confident in my abilities,” said Bich. “At the end I was a lot more aggressive. I definitely need to work on getting stronger, improve my ball handling and continue to work inside.”
Bich is a hot commodity when it comes to college recruitment as he’s drawn quite a bit of Division II, Division III and NAIA interest.
“I’ve been talking with South Dakota School of Mines, Jamestown – I just got an offer from Jamestown – quite a few of the UMAC and MIAC schools,” Bich said. “I’ve visited Augsburg and St. John’s. I’ll visit Macalester and I’m going to visit Dakota Wesleyan. I’ve gotten a little bit of NISC looks with UMD contacting me along with Bemidji State.”