Every player seems to have their own unique path in the journey of basketball. While it might seem cliché, it’s true. We’ve seen players go to the highest levels and transfer down, and guys go to a lower level and eventually transfer up. Talent matters but there’s ultimately no conclusive way to recognize which players actually work hard and/or care about the game. Once these young men go to college, a coaching staff can only do so much to incite motivation within their players. Ultimately, someone like Chase Forte represents what it means to stay the course—now having the best college season of his career in his fourth stop at South Dakota.
Folks should remember Forte during his high school days as a strong, explosive guard who consistently impacted the game on both ends of the floor. He’s a physical defender at the point of attack with sharp instincts to intercept passing lanes and routinely suffocate opposing ball-handlers. Forte is a quality downhill threat who excels in transition and finishes well at the basket. He’s simply a tough gamer who competes hard and outworks opponents in a variety of ways.
That being said, Forte is having a highly productive senior season for the Coyotes. He’s currently averaging 16.9 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 3.3 APG, and 1.9 SPG with 46/28/64 splits. Forte is getting to the line at an insane rate (7.6 attempts per game) and is currently fifth in the entire country in free throws attempted. Leading the team in three of the five major statistical categories, it’s pretty easy to see what he brings to this group. Given his overall production, it wouldn’t be surprising if Forte were to have higher level suitors after this season. He will be a guy to watch closely over these next few months.