PINE RIDGE — Ashlan Carlow-Blount had Division I scholarship offers from colleges in Wyoming, Montana, California, North Dakota and Nebraska. 

But for Carlow-Blount, an all-state girls basketball player at Mahpiya Luta High School, the appeal of playing in her home state was too good to pass up.

On Thursday, July 17, Carlow-Blount announced her decision on social media to play college basketball at Division I South Dakota. 

“Getting the chance to play at the DI level is just something like I have only dreamed of and I can’t believe I am grateful and blessed enough to have the opportunity to do so,” Carlow-Blount said.  

Carlow-Blount cited the in-state appeal and her relationships with USD coaches Carrie and Devin Eighmey for picking the Coyotes. 

“I really felt connected to them and then obviously it’s my home state,” Carlow-Blount said. “So getting the chance to play for my home state and represent was just something as I continued with the process became more important to me to stay closer to home. So I feel like it was just the perfect fit.”

Mahpiya Luta's Ashlan Carlow-Blount brings the ball up the court against Wagner during a game in the first round of the Class A state tournament at the Donald E. Young Center in Spearfish. (Matt Gade / 605 Sports)

Carlow-Blount had scholarship offers from Division I and Division II programs, with her finalists coming down to USD, Wyoming, Sacramento State (California) and Montana. 

She considered delaying her decision, but said “it’s a big relief,” to get it out of the way as he gears up for her final season at Mahpiya Luta. 

“This process was super fun and I loved the opportunities that I have been given and I am super blessed,” Carlow-Blount said. “Just to be able to finally say where I am going is a big relief.”

Carlow-Blount went on several visits during the recruiting process, including a pair of visits to USD. She also talked with former Mahpiya Luta standout Jade Ecoffey, a USD track and field runner, about the school and that also helped her decision.  

“She really gave me some good words about the school,” Carlow-Blount said. “She didn’t really have anything bad to say about it. So after that I was just like ‘You know what? This is it for me.’”

A versatile 6-foot guard, Carlow-Blount is a three-time all-stater and was a first-teamer in 2024 and ‘25. Last season, she averaged 19.6 points, 8.4 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 5.5 steals per game this season. 

Carlow-Blount posted nine double-doubles and one triple-double during her junior season.

For her career, Carlow-Blount has tallied 1,364 points, 512 rebounds, 462 assists, 362 steals and 47 blocks.

Carlow-Blount, who is undecided on her major, said the USD coaches envision her playing point guard for the Coyotes. 

“They see me as an all-around guard just because of my versatility,” Carlow-Blount said. “But I think they want me as the point guard. What’s been communicated is I will probably be the point guard for the team.”

Carlow-Blount, a member of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, also said staying close to her tribe and representing it also played a role in picking the ‘Yotes. 

“I work a lot with the younger girls at Mahpiya Luta and the younger kids through basketball,” Carlow-Blount said. “So just getting to be close so that I can still be involved in any way that I can and just being close to my community is super important. It feels good to be able to stay close to home while still getting to do what I love and then staying connected to my people.” 

She also joins Marvin Richard III, of rival Pine Ridge High School, as future Coyotes. Richard III, an all-state guard, also recently committed to play college basketball at USD. 

“I have grown up with Marvin,” Carlow-Blount said. “We used to play for Sacred Hoops together. We obviously go to rival schools and our friends are all friends. We are friends; like family friends. So that will be super cool having someone I am close to at the same school.”