At the time of his selection, the 6-foot-7, 205-pound senior forward had led the Patriots to a 21-0 record and a trip to the Class AA state tournament quarterfinals. DeGroot averaged 20.9 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game entering the postseason round of eight. He shot 57 percent from the floor, including 45.9 from beyond the arc, and hit 82 percent of his free throws through 21 games. He’s also the program record-holder for single-game points (43) and single-game 3-pointers made (10). Ranked as the state’s No. 3 prospect in his class by PrepHoops, he was a 2025 Class AA All-State selection and was part of two state championship football teams.
DeGroot has maintained a weighted 4.07 GPA in the classroom. He has signed a written letter of athletic aid to play basketball at Augustana University this fall.
DeGroot has volunteered locally on behalf of St. Francis House, The Banquet, Feeding South Dakota, Sleep in Heavenly Peace and the Salvation Army. He has also donated his time helping out at school power lifting meets, officiating youth basketball games and instructing at youth sports camps. A member of his school’s Lincoln Leadership Council, he operates his own window-washing business, completed a Spanish immersion program to earn a South Dakota Seal of Biliteracy and recently participated in a service-mission trip to Puerto Rico.
