BleedGopher
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There's been quite a bit of intrigue on Maple Grove big man Jack Thelen who is 7-1 and projected to be 7-2. He already has D1 offers and it will be interesting to see if he gets high major and if so, gotta think Gophers will take a flyer on him if he continues to progress.
Big article on him in STrib today, in particular interesting that he is first cousins with Nolen Anderson and both are grandsons of former Gopher Marlo Miller.
Per Marcus:
Thelen towers over his 6-3 father, 6-foot mother and four younger siblings, ranging from ages 6 to 15.
But his first cousin is Gophers recruit and Wayzata 6-8 senior forward Nolen Anderson, who is a top candidate for Minnesota Mr. Basketball this year. Their mothers are sisters. Their maiden name is Miller.
Thelen’s mother, Krista, played basketball at Bloomington Jefferson before graduating in 1991. His aunt, Kiersten, was the 1994 Minnesota Miss Basketball and won two Class 2A state titles at Jefferson. She went on to star at Drake.
Sure, Maple Grove got the best of Wayzata in their first matchup, but in competitions between the cousins in their pre-high school years, Thelen didn’t win too many battles. Anderson was relentless, and that helped Thelen build his competitiveness.
Last summer, the cousins played together on D1 Minnesota’s AAU team. Their families often met at a cabin about 30 minutes north of Brainerd.
“I feel like everyone knew what Nolen was going to do,” Thelen said. “He’s just a competitor through and through. Whatever he picked, he was going to be super good at it. ... He would do anything to beat you, too.”
Thelen’s late grandfather, Marlo Miller, played basketball for the Gophers from 1957-60 for legendary coaches Ozzie Cowles and John Kundla. That was a big reason why his cousin picked the Gophers. And that’s also why Thelen eventually developed a greater passion for the game.
varsity.startribune.com
Go Gophers!!
Big article on him in STrib today, in particular interesting that he is first cousins with Nolen Anderson and both are grandsons of former Gopher Marlo Miller.
Per Marcus:
Thelen towers over his 6-3 father, 6-foot mother and four younger siblings, ranging from ages 6 to 15.
But his first cousin is Gophers recruit and Wayzata 6-8 senior forward Nolen Anderson, who is a top candidate for Minnesota Mr. Basketball this year. Their mothers are sisters. Their maiden name is Miller.
Thelen’s mother, Krista, played basketball at Bloomington Jefferson before graduating in 1991. His aunt, Kiersten, was the 1994 Minnesota Miss Basketball and won two Class 2A state titles at Jefferson. She went on to star at Drake.
Sure, Maple Grove got the best of Wayzata in their first matchup, but in competitions between the cousins in their pre-high school years, Thelen didn’t win too many battles. Anderson was relentless, and that helped Thelen build his competitiveness.
Last summer, the cousins played together on D1 Minnesota’s AAU team. Their families often met at a cabin about 30 minutes north of Brainerd.
“I feel like everyone knew what Nolen was going to do,” Thelen said. “He’s just a competitor through and through. Whatever he picked, he was going to be super good at it. ... He would do anything to beat you, too.”
Thelen’s late grandfather, Marlo Miller, played basketball for the Gophers from 1957-60 for legendary coaches Ozzie Cowles and John Kundla. That was a big reason why his cousin picked the Gophers. And that’s also why Thelen eventually developed a greater passion for the game.
MN's 7-1 Jack Thelen is a still-growing high school hooper | Strib Varsity
Basketball Across Minnesota: Meet Maple Grove's Jack Thelen, who over the years has embraced his size and become a top center in the state.
Go Gophers!!
