Alex Eisen/MDN Our Redeemer’s senior Leyton Lang (center) poses for pictures after signing his National Letter of Intent Friday afternoon to play basketball at Bismarck State College. BSC coach Buster Gilliss (left) and ORCS coach Mark LaCroix (right), along with family and friends, were in attendance at ORCS.

A couple weeks ago, Our Redeemer’s Christian School senior Leyton Lang didn’t think collegiate basketball was an option.

How quickly things can change. Lang signed a National Letter of Intent Friday afternoon to play basketball at Bismarck State College in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA).

“I was planning on UND (University of North Dakota), but things changed and I wanted to play basketball,” Lang said. “I sent in a recruiting form and I ended up going down for a scrimmage and got an offer. Now, we are here.”

Lang, a 6’5″ forward, averaged a double-double this past season with 18 points and 11 rebounds and led the Knights to a third-place finish in Region 6. Lang was a two-time All-Region 6 selection.

“He was one of the seniors that bought into the program right away, led by example and made big contributions in the one year I have been here,” ORCS coach Mark LaCroix said. “He got better as a player and as a person, so it’s great to see him with this opportunity.”

Lang is the first player BSC coach Buster Gilliss has signed out of ORCS. He also announced the signing of fellow Class B Lion’s All-Star selection Hart Andes from Lewis & Clark North Shore-Plaza on Friday.

Both players bring size and athleticism to the Mystics.

“We are hoping he can bring some strong play on the front lines,” Gilliss said. “I think he has the ability to still grow, he can shoot the ball and rebound, obviously. He averaged a double-double for the year, so those are things that are always attractive.”

Once an uncertain future, Lang has found his future home.

“Don’t be afraid to be different,” Lang said. “I definitely made a lot of enemies playing high school basketball, but it’s because I don’t care what people think about me. I did my own thing, now I’m here and I’m going to play college basketball.”

Alex Eisen covers Minot High School, Minot State athletics and high school sports. Follow him on Twitter @AEisen13.