Ryan Erikson

Minot State head coach Randall Herbst’s connections to NCAA Division I basketball have benefited the Beavers with the addition of a powerful force inside for the coming season.

Coach Herbst is pleased to announce the signing of in-state star forward Ryan Erikson, who transfers to Minot State, where he will be a junior for the Beavers on the court after three seasons at the University of North Dakota.

“I’ve known Ryan for a few years, having watched him have a successful high school career at Bismarck Century, and getting the chance to coach him and work with him at the University of North Dakota,” said Herbst, who was assistant coach for the Fighting Hawks for Erikson’s redshirt and freshman seasons at UND. “His best basketball in college is yet to come, and I’m excited to see what we can accomplish together.”

Coming off the bench for the Fighting Hawks, Erikson played in 16 games during two seasons at North Dakota, which went 18-17 this past season, advancing to the Horizon League title game and coming within a victory of the NCAA Tournament.

“I chose Minot State because of all the good people, and it’s close to home,” said Erikson, who had career-highs of 8 points in a game as a redshirt-freshman for UND and 6 rebounds as a sophomore. “I’m excited to get to work with all the players and coaches and build relationships. I already have a good relationship with Coach Herbst, as he coached me at UND, and I’m excited to have him as a coach again.

“He called me the minute the portal opened, and that meant a lot to me,” the 6-foot-10, 250-pound power forward added. “I also have a former teammate, Drew Kempel, on the team, so that will be a great experience to play with him again.”

Kempel, a product of Bismarck’s Century High School, played in 3 games as a freshman for the Beavers last season.

“I bring size, skills, and I’m a hard worker,” Erikson said. “To play in the NSIC is exciting because I know it’s a very competitive league.”

The No. 2 prospect in North Dakota’s high school class of 2023 out of Bismarck’s Century High School, Erikson averaged team highs of 16.8 points and 10.0 rebounds per game as a senior for the Patriots, who went undefeated during the regular season and finished 5th at the state tournament.

That after earning All-WDA 1st team honors as a junior, when he averaged a league-best 11.0 rebounds per game and 15.6 points per game while shooting 52 percent from the field.

Erikson also played AAU basketball for the North Dakota Phenom.

“Ryan’s got great size, has the ability to step out and shoot the 3, is a skilled passer, and brings physicality around the rim,” Herbst added. “He’s going to be a good student, a good teammate, and an even better person.

“Welcome to Minot State, Ryan!”