Recruiting Report: Jaxton Wiest (2020)
The Mandan Braves have been one of the best teams in the state the last two seasons. They figure to be one of the top teams in Class A again next winter. A big reason for the hype is to-be…
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Continue ReadingThe Mandan Braves have been one of the best teams in the state the last two seasons. They figure to be one of the top teams in Class A again next winter. A big reason for the hype is to-be senior guard Jaxton Wiest.
Wiest, a 6-foot-2 point guard, led the WDA in assists per game last season while chipping in 10 points per game in a complementary role with his brother Trey Wiest and fellow to-be senior big man Elijiah Klein. Elder Wiest is gone but Jaxton figures to be one of the best players in the state next year and he’ll take on a bigger role.
“We’ve had a lot of team camps, we played in four team camps,” said Wiest. “I think it’s been really important. We have a lot of guys with not a lot of experience. It’s important for me and Elijah getting used to taking on different roles. There are kinks to work out but I’m glad we are doing that now rather than later.”
Wiest has been busy this summer, playing both with his high school team in a number of tournaments as well as with ND Attack Blue, one of the best teams in the Dakotas. He’s racking up quite a bit of time against high-end competition and it’s helped him become a much better player.
“I feel like I’ve played a lot better in the last month,” said Wiest. “I’m getting ready to step into a bigger scoring role. The last few tournaments with Attack will be big for me too. I feel like I’m in a groove right now and playing confidently and I want to take that to AAU too.”
Wiest can do a lot on the floor. At 6-foot-2, he’s got good size for a guard who spends time on the ball. He’s a improving mid-range scorer and does a great job finishing in the paint. His passing and playmaking are terrific and his defense is what makes him one of the best guards in the state.
“I want to continue working on my 3-point range but I feel like I’ve got a good mid range and pull up jumper. I’ve always felt I’m a good passer,” said Wiest. “Another big part of my game is my defensive impact. I want to always guard the best players on the team. I feel like I’m capable of guarding smaller guys like [ND Attack teammate and Bismarck St. Mary’s guard] Jaxon Wiseman or if we play Jamestown I can guard Boden [Skunberg].”
A lot of colleges have taken interest in Wiest with regards to playing at the next level.
“I’ve talked to Jamestown, Minot, SW Minnesota and U Mary. I really would like to go to a school where you can stack academics and athletic scholarships. I’d really like to play. It’s something I’ve always thought about doing. I’ll plan on taking some visits in August.”