Ready for new adventure, Caden Hinker chooses D-I Lamar for final year of basketball eligibility

With one year of eligibility remaining due to missing a full season in 2024-25 while recovering from multiple back surgeries, Hinker will soon ...

Apr. 9—MITCHELL — Caden Hinker is ready to try something new. For the former Mitchell High School star who spent four years at Augustana, that means fulfilling a lifelong dream of playing Division I men's basketball and saying goodbye to his home state.

With one year of eligibility remaining due to missing a full season in 2024-25 while recovering from multiple back surgeries, Hinker will soon be headed to Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas. "I'm South Dakota born and raised, but I've always had this itch to go see and experience something new," Hinker said. "I felt like having a good year (in 2025-26 at Augustana) and having this extra year of eligibility because of my back was kind of a sign that this is the perfect time to do it.

"Playing Division I basketball is something I've wanted to do since I was a little kid," he added. "I don't think I need to prove to anyone that I'm able to play D-I, but at the same time, I've never wanted to back away from that challenge. I'm super stoked for the opportunity.