Recruiting Report: Alex Rasmussen (2018)
Alex Rasmussen was one of the top players in the Big 9 last season, helping lead a young Northfield team to the section final. After another strong summer playing with Minnesota Select, he feels like he’s taken his game to another level.
“It was a lot of fun, I’ve been playing with those guys for many years and we’ve developed great relationships,” Rasmussen said. “I’ve learned a lot from playing with them. We were really successful and it was great to be able to finish it up 7-0 in Vegas.”
Rasmussen does a little bit of everything on the basketball court. He’s a good spot up shooter and plays effectively off the ball, spacing the floor with his grassroots team. But he also puts his playmaking skills on display particularly during the high school season where he’s more of a point guard. So he’s flexible on the offensive end. It’s the same way on the defensive end. He’s a big, strong kid who works hard and can defend quicker guards thanks to his understanding of positioning and bigger wings up to some smaller four men because of his strength and toughness.
“We had a smaller team so I got more experience playing the three and four this summer,” said Rasmussen. “At Northfield I’m more of one or two. I improved as a rebounder and as a defender because I can guard more positions now. I don’t have to play with the ball in my hands, I don’t always have to be off the ball. I can help my team in a variety of ways.”
Rasmussen’s racked up a solid resume on the court playing at a high level for a big school and with one of the top grassroots teams in the state. A lot of schools have shown interest in getting him for the college level.
“I just visited St. Olaf a recently and just set up a visit with La Crosse,” said Rasmussen. “Going to visit there in a couple weeks. Talking with Bethany Lutheran college, St. Johns, Morris. Went to a camp at Bemidji State. And I’m planning on visiting St. Mary’s in a couple weeks as well. I’m not trying to push the process. If I fall in love with a school when I go I’ll commit. But I’m planning more for March or April after the season. See if maybe I can pick up some more Division II interest.”
Rasmussen said he’s not in a big hurry to commit to a school. Whenever he does, he’s got a bright future. For now, he’s focused on his senior year. He’s got some high goals for the Raiders.
“Everyone is really bought into this year,” Rasmussen said. “Guys are in the gym working hard. We want to get our school over the hump. We haven’t been to state in like 85 years. Both Gach just left Austin so we recognize there might be an opportunity for us. We beat Austin in the summer playing so guys feel like we’ve could do something special. We want to finish in the top-three in the Big 9 and we want to win our section.”