Kuiper brothers will square off in basketball exhibition
When University of New Mexico freshman Dane Kuiper of Wasilla plays his first college basketball game this fall he will see a familiar face on the court.
His big bro Braydon plays for the other team.
The Kuiper brothers will tip off the season Nov. 3 when Colorado State University-Pueblo visit ‘The Pit’ in Albuquerque in an exhibition game.
Dane Kuiper is a heralded 6-foot-7 swingman who left Wasilla High after his sophomore year and played his senior season at Corona del Sol in Tempe, Arizona, where he was ranked among the top players on the West Coast.
He helped Corona del Sol win a pair of state championships, including last season, when he bagged 17 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists in the final.
He signed with D1 New Mexico two years ago and is expected to finally make his much awaited college debut this fall.
“The only reason why I played Pueblo is because Dane Kuiper’s brother plays there,” New Mexico coach Craig Neal told reporters when the school released the 2015-16 schedule.
“That was a decision, a family decision, a team decision,” he added. “Dane’s committed to us. It’s my responsibility that he feels part of the family. I think it’s pretty cool that he gets to play his brother one time.”
Braydon Kuiper
Braydon Kuiper, of Wasilla High fame, is a 6-foot-6 junior forward for CSU-Pueblo, where he averaged 2.4 points in 8.7 minutes in 30 games.