I'm really excited because my mindset and game has evolved in the last two years. I'm really grateful to be healthy. I see the court differently now and I'm more explosive.”

Jaxon Knotek

Former River Falls High School 2018 grad Jaxon Knotek was taking in some golf with 15 of his friends this past Sunday afternoon at the River Falls Golf Club.
"They have a special," said Knotek of the River Falls Golf Club Sunday green fees, "they're 30% off after 3."
Knotek is logging some last-minute time with his friends, as he is heading overseas to play professional basketball in Spain later this month for Club Baloncesto Valle de Egüés.
"Baloncesto means basketball in Spanish," Knotek said. "My Spanish is pretty good, but I hope my coach can speak English this time."
Knotek, who played three years at North Dakota State and transferred to American University in Washington D.C. for his final two collegiate seasons (counting an extra Covid year), played in Spain in the fall of 2023, but tore an ankle ligament eight games into his first professional season.
"I was driving baseline and one of my teammate's foot was under me," Knotek said. "Basically, it tore in half."
Knotek rehabbed at American University and tried out for the NBA G-League last fall and had a short stint with the Iowa Wolves, the Minnesota Timberwolves’ G-League team.
"I tried to get my foot in the door in the G-League this spring, too, but it didn't work out," Knotek said. "So now I'm going back overseas."
Knotek's agent, Saul Ares with Promo Sports, helped with the signing for the Spanish team in Pamelona, Spain.
"I'm really excited because my mindset and game has evolved in the last two years," said the 6-foot-6 guard. "I'm really grateful to be healthy. I see the court differently now and I'm more explosive."
Knotek has been playing in the highly coveted Twin Cities Pro-Am basketball league at DeLaSalle High School in Minneapolis this summer. Knotek has been averaging just over 20 points per game. The league consists of college and professional players receiving some high-level competition for the up-and-coming season.
"I'm in the best shape of my life," Knotek said. "I've been doing two-a-days working on my game and lifting five times per week."
For Knotek, it seems the only barrier he'll have for a great season in Spain is language related.
"Google translate was big last time," Knotek said, "but a lot of my teammates spoke some English and helped me out. It's definitely an adjustment for sure. I'm hoping I can play really well and move up to the next level."