Jeremiah Sem, a 6-foot-3 sophomore from Fargo (N.D.) North, is ranked as the number one player in the state in the Class of 2024. He was an Eastern Dakota Conference selection this past season and has shined as a member of the ECI AAU team.
The Gopher Report recently caught up with Sem after a recent AAU tournament to learn the more about his sophomore season, early recruitment and expectations for his junior campaign.
The Gopher Report: You had a really good year at Fargo North this past season, finishing sixth in the state. How pleased were you with how well the team did this year?
Jeremiah Sem: "Last year, he had a good run and I just wanted to make another run this year. Hope we have another one the next two."
The Gopher Report: You have a lot of your top players back like your brother and sophomore Carter Zeller. What ate the expectations for you for next year?
Jeremiah Sem: "We’ve got a lot of good guards. We have one senior coming back. He’s pretty good and hopefully, we get the chemistry going with our new coach and heading forward, hope we have a good season."
The Gopher Report: What about recruitment? Are you starting to hear from some schools already?
Jeremiah Sem: "I have a couple of schools following me on my Twitter and stuff, but I haven’t been talking to them yet."
The Gopher Report: Obviously, you are so young, only being a sophomore. Coaches can’t contact you until June 1st. What schools have you heard are interested, either through your AAU coaches or through following you on social media?
Jeremiah Sem: "I’ve seen NDSU, Murray State, Utah, Minnesota and Wisconsin and a couple other Big Ten schools."
The Gopher Report: What are you hearing from Minnesota. I see you wearing the sweatshirt?
Jeremiah Sem: "I really like them. That is probably one of my first picks, if I really thought about it."
The Gopher Report: You play with your brother in high school and AAU. Do you come from a basketball family?
Jeremiah Sem: "My older brother (Siman Sen) played at North. He had the school record. He plays at Morehead State. It was his last year, last year. He just got a ring, winning a championship. My sisters (Jennie and Mary) play at Concordia (Morehead)."
The Gopher Report: So is your brother the all-time leading now? Is that something that you have talked to him about that you want to break his record?
Jeremiah Sem: "No, last year I broke his record."
The Gopher Report: For most points in a year or in a game?
Jeremiah Sem: "Just in a game. I had 46 points and he had 45. I talk to him once and awhile about it."
The Gopher Report: What things are you really working on this AAU season to continue to improve yourself as a player?
Jeremiah Sem: "I’m trying to work on my leadership. I’ve got to be a leader on the court next year. We lost a lot of seniors and me and Carter are two of the main guys on the team. We have to bring the chemistry and help and lead other guys."
The Gopher Report: You played at a couple of events during the live period where coaches could watch you. Did you notice a lot of coaches at some of the games?
Jeremiah Sem: "Yes, I see them out of the corner of my eyes sitting on the bleachers."
The Gopher Report: Who all did you see?
Jeremiah Sem: "I’ve seen a lot of Big Ten schools like I said and a lot of schools."
The Gopher Report: Do you try not to notice them or when you make a good play do you look over a little bit?
Jeremiah Sem: "Yes, I just try to keep calm. Keep it chilled and my butterflies in. Play smooth."
The Gopher Report: What will it mean to play college basketball?
Jeremiah Sem: "I’m looking forward to playing it. I see my older brother and sisters playing, so it is one of my dreams to play at a school."
The Gopher Report: What would it mean to play at an even higher level than them, a Division I level?
Jeremiah Sem: "I don’t know. Anywhere. Anywhere would be pleasing to me."
The Gopher Report: Do you check out a lot of your highlights, because to be honest, you have some impressive highlights with your dunks?
Jeremiah Sem: "I watch them sometimes and reminisce about them."
The Gopher Report: Do some of them even surprise you a little bit?
Jeremiah Sem: "Yes. Sometimes I look back at them like 'Wow, I really did that.'"
The Gopher Report: What do you hear from other people about that?
Jeremiah Sem: "Sometimes people come up to me that I don’t know and talk about it. It’s really crazy."
The Gopher Report: You mentioned Minnesota. What would it mean to hear from the Gophers a little bit more?
Jeremiah Sem: "It would be great. I would talk to my family about it. Telling my friends. Hoping it would really happen. Dream come true."
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