Dethman Officially Signs With Division I Fresno State

Sydney Dethman doesn’t exactly remember the first time she handled a basketball. With both parents being coaches, a basketball was probably one of the first things that the Froid/Lake athletic standout touched with her hands.

“Some time very little,” Dethman laughed. “I’ve always been in the gym, hanging around.”

Dethman’s habit of “hanging around” in gyms certainly paid off. The 6-2 senior recently officially signed a letter of intent to play basketball at Fresno State University, a Division I program in California.

“You put in the work and it shows,” Dethman said. “Every time you’re in the gym, that’s what you do.”

That desire to become the best basketball players she could was triggered by many family members. Her mother, Jaimie Wichman, is a native of Australia and played club basketball in that country. She then competed collegiately first at Miles Community College and then at the University of Oklahoma under Hall of Fame Coach Sherri Coale. Sydney’s father, Andy Dethman, starred at Poplar High School before playing basketball at Miles Community College. He then competed as a walk-on for the University of Oklahoma’s track team in the high jump.

Growing up with and competing with older sister, Mackenzie, was also a benefit as far as improving Sydney’s basketball skills. They were teammates during Sydney’s first three years playing high school ball.

“Having her be on the team helped both of us because we are so competitive,” Sydney said. “If one of us would do something good, the other would think ‘good for you, Now I’m going to do something.’ ” The basketball court for the sisters, however, wasn’t always a friendly place. “When we were mad at each other, we took it to the gym going after each other,” Sydney laughed.

Brother Mason, a freshman, is now providing Sydney a challenge when they play on their farm’s court located about 30 miles from Froid and 15 miles from Brockton.

“It’s in rough shape but does the job,” Sydney said of the hoop at the farm. “When we were quarantined, Mason practiced dunking so you can imagine how it looks.”

Thankfully, Sydney hasn’t relied on her shooting at that rim to polish her shooting touch. Instead, she traveled to multiple states with allstar AAU teams during summer months. Dethman was a member of the Montana Elites starting in the seventh grade through 10th grade and then she joined the Northwest Blazers featuring standouts from Washington, Idaho and Montana, “They are amazing, athletic, super girls playing,” Dethman explained.

Her accomplishments on the court resulted in offers from several Division I schools.

Part of the attraction for coaches was Dethman’s ability to play any position, including point guard, on the court.

“There’s not many 6-2 girls who can play point guard and shoot,” Dethman said. “It helps me on the court so much. It’s unbelievable of how playing point guard helps me when I play other positions.”

Because of COVID restrictions, she has yet been able to visit Fresno State’s campus. She explains that under NCAA rules, a recruit can make visits to five colleges, but Dethman wasn’t able to make any because of social distancing. She was attracted to Fresno State because of the coaching staff and that it seemed family oriented. The Bulldogs had a 25-7 overall record and 16-2 league mark last season.

But before she starts her collegiate career, she is looking forward to her final high school season. She hopes that the Red Hawks can contend for a state tournament berth this season. Froid/Lake reached the state tournament when she played as an eighth-grader and freshman.

“It’s just unbelievable being there,” Dethman said of the state tournament. “It’s so much fun.”

The two-time All-State basketball player says what she likes the best about basketball is “the excitement” of making a big play such as a last-second shot. “Last year, I had a few buzzer beaters. It gets the team and everybody pumped up.”

She explains there are many people to thank that helped her achieve accomplishments. She mentions individuals who doubted that she could reach her goals. “That motivated me,” she said.

Dethman appreciates her coaches including volleyball coach Kiah Smith and head girls basketball coach Lance Brekke. Dethman said both helped her become tougher and a better athlete.

Of course, her family members also deserve her thanks especially those who made the gym her second home.