Niehaus gaining valuable experience

If a recent trend continues, Fremont High’s Connor Niehaus will be playing basketball at the next level on a full-ride scholarship.

Niehaus, who will be a junior in the fall for the Tigers, is in the midst of his first full summer playing for Martin Brothers Select. The Iowa-based AAU basketball team has helped every member of its graduating class during the last four years earn a full-ride scholarship to college.

“I think our reputation as far as the number of years, where we go and where our kids go can’t be matched by any other group in the state,” said Martin Brothers Select organizer Hank Huddleson.

Niehaus joined the team halfway through the summer last year and has enjoying every minute.

“I really like it; it’s been a great experience,” he said. “I’ve made a lot of new friends, I really like the coaches and get to play in front of a lot of college coaches in many different places against different kids and different teams; it’s a lot of fun.”

Part of the fun comes in playing in tournaments throughout the country.

Martin Brothers Select has traveled to Arkansas, Indiana, Kansas and more recently to New York City for the prestigious Rumble in the Bronx tournament. Over the next two weeks, Niehaus and his MBS teammates will enter tournaments in Milwaukee and Chicago before heading to Orlando, Fla., for the AAU national tournament at the end of July.

“The whole sight-seeing thing and just being able to be able to see everything is a big part of the fun,” Niehaus said. “The level of competition and the physical play is a lot different than what I’m used to and last year when I went to nationals with this team where everybody was there was pretty crazy too.”

Huddleson, though, said Niehaus can hold his own. The coach who tutored Kirk Hinrich of the NBA’s Chicago Bulls and Nick Collison of the Oklahoma City Thunder during their AAU days, said he was particularly drawn to Niehaus’ ability to play many positions.

“He can play anywhere from a 3 to a 5 position depending on who we play,” Huddleson said. “Overall he’s a valuable commodity that will have high NCAA Division II to mid-major looks and will have some decisions to make before it is all said and done.”

Niehaus said he has no reservations about playing just about everywhere on the court.

“Different matchups with different teams is a challenge ... plus if you’re more versatile you have more chances at getting on the floor,” he said.

Huddleson first noticed the 6-7 Niehaus at a Future Stars Showcase last year at the University of Northern Iowa but Niehaus held off on a commitment because he wanted to try out for the home-state Nebraska Bison.

Niehaus didn’t make the final cut for the Bison and after a call to Huddleson, he soon started taking the floor for Martin Brothers.

“I was kind of shocked ... I really expected him to make the Bison team but he called afterwards a little distraught because he didn’t make and I told him I had a spot for him,” Huddleson said. “I’m glad the Bison elected not to take him for whatever reason.”

Niehaus now hopes his time playing with Martin Brothers will translate into a roster spot at the next level.

“It definitely helps, he’s very good at helping out and making sure we get the best opportunities we can,” Niehaus said of Huddleson and Martin Brothers. “Basketball is something I’d like to do in college so why not play for somebody who can help you get there.”

Huddleson said there are many positives to Niehaus’ game.

“I like his skill level for his size and I like his intelligence on and off the floor,” he said.