By Rich Winter

605 Sports

Fresh off a good Lakota Nation Invitational, Lakota Tech’s Triston LeBeau is looking for more. A nice effort at this year’s tournament (12 ppg, 5 rpg) and most people didn’t notice the knee brace or know that LeBeau is just nine months removed from ACL surgery. 

“It was in practice and doing a euro-step and stepped ugly,” LeBeau said. 

A week later LeBeau underwent surgery and since then he’s been working feverishly to get back to the game he loves. 

“He attacked his rehab and physical therapy,” Lakota Tech coach Casey Means said.

All summer long while LeBeau worked his rehab, Means chided his pupil, reminding him they weren’t going to win a state title without the services of their big man. 

Without summer basketball, and with some COVID-19 restrictions on the Pine Ridge Reservation, LeBeau gained a few pounds. While his teammates played all summer, LeBeau worked on strengthening and straightening his knee. The son of Vince LeBeau and Alicia Provost was often cooped up at home. 

“I just had to stay positive, that was the only way to get through it,” he said. “My family and coaches and teammates really supported me during my recovery.” 

LeBeau says he’s about 90 percent back but feels like there is way more in the tank. 

“After Lakota Nation I felt like I could do way better,” he said. “It will take some time but I feel like I can score 20-25 points, grab 20 rebounds and play good defense or whatever my team needs.” 

While the knee feels good Means feel like his big guy can be even more effective if he drops a few more pounds. 

“Sometimes we have him practice in a sauna suit,” Means said. “He’s working on his diet, getting stronger and we think by March he will be a dominant presence in Class A basketball.” 

The Tatanka finished 3-1 at the recently completed Lakota Nation Invitational, losing only to eventual champion Lower Brule in the semifinals. LeBeau finished with 59 points at this year’s tournament, closing the event with a 21-point, seven-rebound effort against Red Cloud. 

“Triston is smart, loves to win, has tremendous footwork and a soft touch around the rim,” Means said.

The Tatanka are off until Jan. 8 when they play at Little Wound. Lakota Tech hosts Red Cloud on Jan. 10.