Cypress Springs High School standout basketball star Stoney Hadnot reached a remarkable milestone by scoring over 1,000 points during his high school career. The two-time 1st team All-District honoree and two-time District 16-6A Player of the Year averaged 17.3 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game as a senior. These impressive stats paved the way for him to continue his basketball journey at South Dakota State University, but his story is just beginning.
“South Dakota State is getting a great player and a great person,” said Cypress Springs head basketball coach Larry Boykin. “He’s ready to be coached and understands that the work must be put in to continue getting better. He takes on challenges and strives to advance daily.”
Hadnot attributes much of his success and perseverance to a piece of advice from his father: “When you put that ball down, somebody across the world is picking it right back up.” This message has fueled Hadnot’s relentless work ethic and serves as his encouragement to other athletes who feel they lack exposure or skills in their pursuit of dreams.
Hadnot’s passion for basketball ignited at the age of two and grew stronger as he honed his skills, eventually joining his first team at the YMCA. Like many athletes, he faced early career challenges due to limited exposure and a lack of recognition. By middle school, Hadnot had the talent but lacked the physical build. The COVID-19 pandemic during his 8th-grade year allowed him to gain weight, identify weaknesses, and improve before the next school season.
“During middle school, I moved to Corpus Christi for family reasons and I got minimal minutes because I had a skinnier frame than everyone else. This hurt my confidence but I continued to work through it all. The pandemic was probably one of the best things that happened to me because it gave me time and the opportunity to put in work by myself,” said Hadnot.
Hadnot’s exceptional performance earned him a spot on the varsity team as a freshman.
“My 9th grade year I came back and was killing everybody because of the work I put in. I was averaging 30 points per game and got moved to varsity as a freshman,” said Hadnot.
His sophomore year playing AAU basketball with Team Temple garnered attention from several college coaches. In his junior year, he continued to excel, earning All-Region team honors and the Offensive Player of the Year award while leading his team to the third round of the playoffs.
Hadnot committed early to South Dakota State University during his senior year, staying true to his plan and working tirelessly on his game. He drew inspiration from players like former University of Connecticut guard Stephon Castle, recently selected by the San Antonio Spurs with the fourth overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, and Houston Rockets standout guard Jalen Green, whom he has admired since seventh grade.
“I watched a lot of Stephen Castle because he’s a big guard/forward who has a lot of upside to his game,” said Hadnot. “Both of our games are similar so I try to mimic what he does on the court. I’m trying to get my weight just like his so I can be able to give and receive more contact when I drive the ball. I also watched a lot of Jalen Green because he is my favorite player. We are both hyper-athletic guards who easily get downhill, can score in the mid-range, and shoot the 3-ball. I’ve been watching Jalen Green since I was in 7th grade, and his athleticism has always amazed me.
Hadnot chose South Dakota State over various other colleges because of its family atmosphere, dedicated fanbase, and commitment to player development. He plans to major in Human Development and Family Sciences at South Dakota State and become a mental health therapist after his basketball career is over.
“Mental health is something that is growing in today’s society and I want to help people with that because I’ve been through situations that hurt my mental,” said Hadnot.
As Stoney embarks on this new chapter, his determination and drive promise a bright future both on and off the court.
About Stoney Hadnot:
Class: 2024
IG: @Iamstoneyhadnot
Twitter: @Taycrazzyyy
Position: Shooting Guard
Height & weight: 6-feet-6, 180 pounds
Players he studies: Stephon Castle (San Antonio Spurs), Jalen Green (Houston Rockets)
Favorite artist: Autumn
Status: Committed to South Dakota State
Favorite subject: History
Shout-outs: Friends, Family, Coaches
