Shanks grabs Pac 12 offer

Prior Lake center Carson Shanks is undeniably the number one ranked prospect in the state of Minnesota's 2013 junior class. If there were any doubts to that recognition they had to of been erased this past week when Shanks grabbed his first high major offer from a Pac 12 school. He could possibly add a Big Ten offer this weekend as well.

"Getting the Utah offer was great," said Shanks. "It was my first high major (offer). It's an honor to know that the Utah coaches believe that I can play at that level. It's a Pac 12 offer and it's awesome."

Shanks unofficially visited Utah last weekend and really enjoyed the trip.

"The trip was great. They showed me everything they could show me in two days. The facilities were great, I got to hang out with the coaches the entire weekend, I got to see how the practice was run, and the fan base there is crazy about their Utes so it was pretty cool."

Shanks has been on several unofficial trips to see different schools including Utah, Drake, Colorado State, North Dakota, and Northern Iowa whom have all offered. Carson also has a long list of other schools looking at him including several high major programs.

"I'm going to Nebraska this weekend and they have shown tons of interest. So we will see what happens there this weekend. Oregon State is really interested and we will see what happens there. Wisconsin, I'm still hearing a little bit from them. USC is pretty interested and they are trying to get me out for a visit. If we could make that work that would be great."

Nebraska Head Coach Doc Sadler was at Prior Lake to see Carson a few days ago, Oregon State had an assistant watch Carson work out on Halloween, and Wisconsin assistant coach Greg Gard has been one of many coaches to make it to see Carson this past October.

Other schools continuing to show interest in Shanks include BYU, Creighton, Iowa State, Washington State, and several others.

Shanks is also hearing a little from the hometown Gophers and he was on campus unofficially in early September.

"They came to an open gym about a month ago but aside from letters and emails I'm not hearing that much from them," Carson said.

At this point Carson is a long ways from a decision and it sounds like he cares a lot more about personal fit than conference status.

"The way I look at, I'm just looking for the right fit and it doesn't matter if they are playing in the Missouri Valley, Pac 12 or wherever. Obviously I appreciate the great competition that goes on in those bigger conferences but schools like Northern Iowa, Drake and Colorado State, they have been on me from day one and I've really grown to appreciate that and I'm still thinking about them all the time."

Another school that has offered Carson is Utah State and he will unofficially visit their campus next weekend when the greatest student section in college basketball gets to open their year against BYU.

Carson himself is still a couple weeks from his first practice at Prior Lake but right now he's very excited. After sitting out last year because of a transfer from Eastview, Carson is jacked up to play this winter.

"You know I have been waiting and waiting for this season ever since I transferred from Eastview. Words can't describe how excited I am to finally get varsity basketball going. I think we should have a pretty good year and I'm pretty jacked up for it."