MITCHELL – Gavin Soukup is heading west.
After mulling over his college choice during the 2023-24 academic year, the recent Mitchell High School graduate basketball standout landed at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology in Rapid City.
South Dakota Mines men’s basketball officially announced the signing of Soukup on May 15. Soukup plans to study business management in technology.
Before the Class AA postseason, Soukup told the Mitchell Republic that he had to choose between Dakota Wesleyan and Mount Marty after the conclusion of the season. However, the Kernel’s march to a state championship caught the attention of another suitor.
“Everyone wants winners,” Soukup said. “With Mitchell winning (the state title), that made a lot of people look at us. And I played really well, I think it was the best basketball I played all season, so it was a great way to end it.”
The 6-foot-3 senior guard scored 17.3 points and 4.7 assists per game over three days in Sioux Falls to help lead MHS to a state championship. For the season, Soukup recorded 12.6 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game, earning Class AA second-team all-state recognition.
Mitchell’s Gavin Soukup (12) shoots a 3-pointer over a Thunder Basin (Wyo.) defender during a Hoop City Classic boys basketball game on Friday, Dec. 29, 2023, at the Corn Palace.
Adam Thury / Mitchell Republic
“Honestly, before last season, I was wondering if I was going to play basketball at the college level and if I really wanted that,” Soukup said. “Especially with the excitement of winning a state championship, I felt like I had to do it. “It’s definitely a big part of me.”
Soukup also credits Allan Bertram, his summer AAU coach at Sacred Hoops Basketball Academy (of which Bertram is also a founder), for helping Soukup connect with the Hardrockers coaching staff. Bertram coached at Rapid City Central High School before assuming his current position as head girls basketball coach at Mount Marty.
South Dakota Mines is an NCAA Division II institution competing in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. Last season, the Hardrockers men’s basketball program finished with an 11-17 overall record.
“It’s a great opportunity,” Soukup said. “I really like the coaching staff and when I went out to play I felt at home. “That made it a pretty easy decision.”
Dierks covers prep and collegiate athletics throughout the Mitchell Republic coverage area. His areas of focus include: Mitchell High School football and boys basketball; area high school football, volleyball, basketball, baseball and track and field; and South Dakota State football. He is also at the forefront of Mitchell Republic’s podcasting efforts. Dierks is a Mitchell native who graduated from South Dakota State University with his bachelor’s degree in journalism in May 2020. He joined the Mitchell Republic sports staff in August 2021. He can be reached at ldierks@mitchellrepublic.com and find him on Twitter at @LDierksy. .
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