Recruiting Report: Jaxton Wiest (2020)
Mandan has a chance to be one of the top teams in the WDA this winter. The Braves have arguably the best duo in the state in Elijah Klein and Jaxton Wiest. Wiest, a 6-foot-2 senior point guard, led the…
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Continue ReadingMandan has a chance to be one of the top teams in the WDA this winter. The Braves have arguably the best duo in the state in Elijah Klein and Jaxton Wiest.
Wiest, a 6-foot-2 senior point guard, led the conference in assists as a junior while chipping in 10 points per game for a Mandan team that went to state. He spent the grassroots season playing with ND Attack where he had a chance to improve on some of his perceived weaknesses.
“My scoring was up and I think that was a carryover from the Mandan team camps [during the summer],” said Wiest. “That’s something I’ve thought a lot about how I need to pick up my scoring. Just be a quantitative scoring and put up more numbers because we did lose two double-figure scorers.”
Wiest plays with an advanced feel, he’s an excellent passer and is comfortable handling the ball in traffic. He’s a strong defender and has the size to get to the paint and finish in traffic. But the area of his game he wanted to show coaches he can also excel in is shooting.
“My jumpshot has been a part of my game and I think I really refined it,” said Wiest. “I think I can get a lot more consistent with my 3-point shot. I can improve as an attacker but I’ve felt that I’m pretty strong in that area.”
Mandan is losing two double-figure scorers from last year’s state tournament team. Despite those losses, Wiest has high expectations for the upcoming season.
“I’m really excited for the season,” said Wiest. “We had a really nice summer. Of course we lose some really good players but I like how we have room to grow. Some other teams are senior heavy and have experience but we have talent and guys who can get better as they gain more experience. That gives us a high ceiling.”
Wiest has drawn quite a bit of interest from several schools in the Dakotas throughout the spring and summer.
“I’ve visited Jamestown and South Dakota School of Mines in the last couple weeks,” said Wiest. “I liked both of them a lot. They want to see me play a little more and maybe score a little more and continue to play well so I’m really focused on this high school season.”