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Minot High 2022 graduate Eric Wentz, shown shooting in a game last season for Macalaster College in St. Paul, Minnesota, was named to the roster for Team USA Division-3.
St. Paul, Minn. – USA Sports is proud to announce that Eric Wentz has been selected as a team member to the USA Division-3 Basketball team for the upcoming international tour to Brazil from July 9th to July 19, 2024.
Wentz graduated from Minot High in 2022 and has been attending school and playing basketball at Macalaster College in St. Paul, Minnesota for the past two seasons.
“I have really enjoyed continuing my athletic career in college,” said Wentz. “Athletics at the college level has provided me with a nice balance on campus as I have been able to develop relationships both in the classroom as well as with my teammates.”
Wentz was a member of the MHS Boys’ Basketball team that placed 2nd at the Boys class A 2021 ND State Tournament and won the 2022 ND Boys Class A Championship with a win over the West Fargo Packers. Wentz was named to the 2022 Class A Boys’ Basketball All State Team as well as the 2022 All-Tournament Team after leading all players with 24 points in the Class A Boys Championship win over West Fargo in 2022.
“The college game is definitely much faster paced and more physical compared to high school boys basketball. Probably why it’s called boys in high school and “mens” in college, checkled Wentz..”Also, there is more freedom on the court as the players are more basketball aware and skilled 1 through 5 and off the bench.”
The Macalaster Scots play in the NCAA Division 3 Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) in all sports.
“Eric has worked hard to earn a starting role on our team. He improved in almost every statistical category from his freshman to sophomore year,” said Macalaster head men’s basketball coach Abe Woldeslassie. “Eric’s dedication and love for the game have made him one of the best guards in the MIAC. We are excited that he has this opportunity to compete in Brazil this summer!” The Macalaster College community is extremely proud of him and confident that he will represent Macalester, his hometown of Minot and our great Country with distinction.”
The same dedication to self improvement and love of the game continues for Wentz.
“My friend and I would go to the YMCA multiple times a day to workout,” said Wentz . “We loved getting better. Even during the high school basketball season we would try and find extra time to get in the gym.”
The USA Division-3 Basketball team is composed of standout players from Division III colleges across the United States. The team will have its first international competition in Brazil playing a series of games versus teams composed of Brazilian players competing at levels comparable to United States Division 3 men’s college teams.
The tour will take the team first to Brazil to compete against top-tier Division 3 equivalent Brazilian teams. In addition to the games, the players will participate in cultural activities, gaining a deeper understanding of the host country Brazil and serving as ambassadors for USA Basketball as well as their respective communities and Colleges across the United States.
The USA Division-3 team is organized and sponsored by USA Sports Tours & Event. USA Sports has been sharing the world through sports for the past nine years, taking over 60 teams to international competitions in basketball and also volleyball.
