BROOKINGS — Isabel Aesoph began her sophomore year as a student and will finish it as a Division I women’s basketball player. 

The South Dakota State University women’s basketball team has been hit by injuries this season, forcing the coaching staff to find immediate help to fill the roster. The SDSU coaching staff mined the university’s student directory and emailed potential players to join the Jackrabbits.

Enter Aesoph, a former all-state basketball player for the Faulkton Area Trojans. SDSU assistant coach Sadie Kramer came across Aesoph’s Hudl highlights and contacted her.

But Aesoph didn’t believe it at first. 

“I was shocked,” Aesoph said. “I didn’t know if that was real or not but then that assistant messaged me on a social media platform, too. I was like ‘Oh OK, this must be real.’ ”

Aesoph joined the Jackrabbits in November and the former Class B player was suddenly suiting up for one of the country’s top mid-major programs. 

“It was definitely a crazy opportunity,” Aesoph said. “But one that I am very thankful for.”

A 2022 Faulkton Area High School graduate, averaged 18.7 points and five rebounds per game her senior season on her way to Lake Region Conference MVP honors. She also starred in volleyball, earning all-state honors and was a finalist for the Class B Miss Volleyball award. 

She considered playing volleyball in college, but opted instead to focus on academics. Aesoph played intramurals at SDSU and worked out at the gym a few times a week, “but by no means in basketball shape.”

“It was definitely intimidating right away just jumping into it after being out of basketball for almost two years,” said Aesoph, who is majoring in business economics. “But the girls were all super nice. The coaching staff was super welcoming. So that helped, but it was definitely intimidating for the first week or two.” 

A 5-foot-6 guard, Aesoph has played in four games for the Jackrabbits. Her first action was against Washburn on Nov. 28 in Brookings. 

“A lot of nerves were going through me, just like checking into a game at that high of a level,” Aesoph said. “It was at the end, but those first game nerves, I had to get them out of the way at some point.” 

Faulkton Area graduate and SDSU student Isabel Aesoph joined the SDSU women's basketball team this season. (South Dakota State University Athletics)

She has logged minutes against Northern Iowa, Dordt University, North Dakota and St. Thomas. She’s attempted one 3-pointer and has three rebounds in game action. 

Aesoph’s main responsibilities are to push the Jackrabbits as a scout player in practice. 

“It’s fun for sure to compete at such a high level with them,” Aesoph said. “I think that was one of the biggest things going in right away that was different for me, just the intensity of a Division I college practice. I have never been thrown into or experienced something so intense like that. So it’s a lot of fun to be able to compete at such a high level with some awesome teammates.”

Aesoph said her new teammates are what has made the experience memorable. 

“Within the past two months, I have gained 14 or 15 really close friends I feel like I will have for life and they are just amazing people to be around,” Aesoph said. “They push everybody to be their best and everybody knows their teammates have their back and are always supporting them.”

The Jackrabbits (10-5, 2-0 Summit League) are again atop the conference standings and will make another push for the NCAA Division I women’s basketball tournament.

And Aesoph will be along for the ride. 

“It’s really exciting getting to play with these girls and having the opportunity to play for SDSU,” Aesoph said. “SDSU is known for competing at a high level and it’s just fun to do it with the girls. We have a lot to look forward to with the future of the season.”