Recruiting Report: Tyler Kittelson (2018)
The Totino-Grace Eagles lost a lot of key players from last year’s team but they’ll enter the 2017-18 season with high expectations nonetheless. A big reason why is the presence of guys poised to take big steps forward like Tyler Kittelson.
Kittelson, a 6-foot-6 forward, spent the grassroots season with Comets Servaty and on a team full of top-shelf players, made plenty of noise thanks to impressive athleticism, effort and skill.
“I loved it,” Kittelson said of playing with the Comets. “That was the first year I’ve played with them and every one of the boys treated me like family. I couldn’t ask for a better situation. I feel like from the beginning of the AAU season to the end that I grew tremendously as a player. Playing teams like MN Rise and talented teams all over the state really helped me grow as a player. That kind of competition will show you where your holes are but I got a lot better. And our team really improved as we went along and were playing our best ball at the end.”
It doesn’t take long to figure out where Kittelson can carve out a niche on a team. He’s extremely active and bouncy around the rim. He’s got the physical tools and mobility requisite a college power forward. He gets to the offensive glass, he does a good job using a one or two-dribble attack to get to the lane and he can wreak havoc on opposing teams inside.
“I feel like I’ve gotten better at being more a slasher rather than more of a pass-first kind of guy,” said Kittelson. “I feel at the beginning of the season I was looking to pass too much and at the end I was getting into the lane looking to draw fouls and finish at the rim. That’s exactly what my main goal is to be. Before I was too passive. I want to get to the lane and put the ball in the hoop.”
Kittelson will have a new head coach this winter as Nick Carroll takes over the Totino-Grace program. Carroll’s already made a big impact on Kittelson and the team he’s inheriting.
“I love him,” said Kittelson. “Absolutely love him. He came in and has done nothing but treat us like family. He’s really put us first. When we’re going through this college process, he wants to be part of it. He’s talking to coaches and getting input for us. That’s something I don’t think many guys have. It’s an awesome feeling.”
Kittelson’s drawn a lot of interest from a number of local schools and just recently made a verbal commit to a college. He’s waiting on admissions from the school to make the decision official but if there aren’t any hiccups he’ll have his college decision out of the way in time for the season to start. And he’s excited for what should be a fun winter.
“Losing guys like Rocky [Kreuser] and Nathan [Kavolak] has gotten guys to think they have to step up,” said Kittelson. “We have guys that will step up. I think guys are ready for it. I’m ready for it. I’m really excited.”