College Commitment: Kaden Sand (2019 Baker HS)
Northwest Christian head coach Eddie Alexander has made in-state recruiting a priority since taking over the job full-time and his latest signee is a young man who’s a little under the radar, even to those familiar with Oregon high school basketball. Kaden Sand, a still-growing 6-foot-4, 175-pound wing from Baker, is the latest addition to the Beacon family and for him joining the NCU family is something he’s doing literally as well.
“I was born in Eugene and I love the area,” Sand said. “My brother is there, my dad went there, and it just seemed like the right fit for me.”
Sand has spent some time on campus and around the basketball program and it’s the opportunity to contribute on the floor that helped make his decision. “I’ve watched a game and I liked the pace that they ran at,” Sand said. “I love how hard they went for the coach, who wanted to win and better the team. I love the court and the gym, everything about it.”
Sand has a versatile game and is still growing into his body, and his best basketball is in front of him with continued improvement. “I feel like I improved tremendously from my junior to my senior year,” Sand said. “I think that my defense could use a little work but I feel that it’s improved a lot since the beginning of the season and I can keep up with anybody. My ball-handling has gotten a lot better and I can finish well.”
Sand joins Cole McAninch (South Eugene), Luke Burke (Willamette), and Stevie Schlabach (Tigard) in NCU’s current recruiting class. He currently ranks as the #99 ranked player in the PrepHoops Oregon Class of 2019.