Treysen Eaglestaff (Sioux): Persevering as the Bismarck HS Demons Leader This Season

By Dan Ninham

The Bismarck HS Demons boys’ basketball team were the North Dakota Class A Regional Champions last season. They made it to the semi-finals in the Class A State Tournament when Covid-19 stopped the sports world.

Treysen Eaglestaff is 16 years old and a junior at Bismarck HS in North Dakota. He is enrolled at Cheyenne River Sioux and his band is Minnicoujou. 

As a sophomore last season, Treysen made All Conference coming off the bench averaging 13 points per game. He showed progress at the right time during the state tournament. 

“I was our second leading scorer and scored 22 in the Western Conference championship,” said Treysen. “I got Player of the Game my first game in state when we beat Fargo Shanley.”

“My tribal core values all play a role in what I play for and play with,” said Treysen. “They help me better understand myself as a basketball player and a Native American male. Every time I start getting out of line I look back to all of my values. These values help me better myself as a Lakota.”

“Bismarck HS Coach Jordan Wilhelm has been my biggest influence,” said Treysen. “I’ve never met a better coach and friend than him. He is truly an amazing person. He helps me get better and bettering myself every way I can and makes sure everything is going well.”

“I’m reaching out to you from the gym this morning and it is being led by a current junior of mine,” said Coach Jordan Wilhelm.  “Treysen Eaglestaff is a player who has transformed himself from a high level player in my system to one of the top players in ND.  Quick story about him: I run 6:30 am open gym for my non-fall sport kids.  Our first open gym was about a month ago and I woke up at 5:45 am to make it to the school and had a text at 5:15 am from Treysen asking where I was.  It was not a mistake … he just couldn’t wait to get into the gym.”  

“Second story: I run open gyms Tuesday-Thursday, but of course last night I got another text from him begging me to run open gym this morning and he has league in Minnesota this weekend.  I said yes, if it were up to him it would be seven days a week at 5:30 am.  I can’t say anything at these open gyms, so he runs the entire workout, sends the texts, and coaches the players at open gym on what to do.  He also holds each player accountable by running sprints and leading by example at all times,” added Coach Jordan.

“I talk about his intangibles, because I believe his game talks for itself,” said Coach Jordan.  “He is, without a doubt, the most natural scorer we have ever had at BHS and also the hardest worker.  He is a legit 6’5 and has range out to the half.  His handles are tighter each time I see him and his knack for scoring is incredible.  Also, he is very immature physically yet, because he is a full year younger than his peers.  He will be graduating in 2022 at age 17.”  

“During the WDA title game from a season ago, he was incredible on the biggest stage in front of 6,000 people as a 15 year old sophomore,” said Coach Jordan.

“DJ Two Bears helped me get to where I am now,” said Treysen. “He motivates me by showing me what it’s like to be a college basketball player in the future.”

“Treyson is a hard worker,” said DJ Two Bears. “When it comes to the game of basketball you can always find this kid on the court at the YMCA or anywhere there is a hoop. You have to always tell this kid it’s okay to take a little break but that’s how much this kid loves to be in the gym. He loves to want to get better at his craft.”

“Watching Treyson improve over the last two years has been a blessing. He is going to do very well at the collegiate level and I am excited to see what the collegiate level has in store for him,” added DJ.

“My Uncle Robert played at Fort Yates HS and is in the Native American Hall of Fame,” said Treysen. “He is how I got my middle name Robert and was an amazing basketball player. He played at UND back in the 1970’s and had a school named after him in Seattle, WA. He died in a powwow in his 50’s and I never got a chance to meet him but his story and his success helps me motivate myself to be just like him”

“My mom was a huge influence helping me become a better athlete and helping me become who I am today,” said Treysen.

“I’m going to our gym everyday after work and getting two hours of shifts up and lift the same day,” said Treysen. “For being emotional and spiritual I’ll just look up and talk to god on how to improve myself and make me and my surroundings better.”

“My favorite core value is perseverance,” said Treysen. “I’m in the gym everyday trying to get better and make sure I work hard no matter the challenge. Second is compassion: I do much for the game of basketball that you can’t take away from me. Third is bravery and if you live your life in fear you’re not living at all so you have to be brave and try new things even if it’s outside your comfort zone.”

Photo Credit: Treysen Eaglestaff