File photo by Travis Rosenau Landon Wendinger blocks a shot during a road Tomahawk Division boys basketball game at New Ulm Cathedral on Dec. 5, 2024.

SLEEPY EYE — Landon Wendinger has had a storied basketball career at Sleepy Eye High School.

The 6-8 Wendinger has been known for his prolific shot-blocking and rebounding, helping his teams with his size and nose for the ball. Wendinger holds multiple school records in those categories, leading Sleepy Eye boys basketball in career rebounds (1,126) and blocks (444), rebounds (487) and blocks (169) in a season, and rebounds in a game (29). For good measure, he added on the school record for field goals made in a season as well with 249 and is fourth in school history in scoring with 1,291 career points.

“I would say it’s just awesome,” Wendinger said. “Playing these last few years has been just a great experience. Every single game and every single practice, all the years that I’ve been playing have been a great experience. The teammates have been awesome, the coaching has been awesome, it’s just been really fun. And making that mark is just the extra that you get. It’s cool to see your name in the record books.”

Now Wendinger looks to take his talents to the college level as he has committed to play for the University of Wisconsin, Eau Clair for next season.

“At the start of the year, I was just figuring things out and seeing what popped out,” Wendinger said. “Then midway through the season, I posted a highlight reel … And the head coach [of Eau Clair] decided to have the assistant coach reach out. I got on a call with him and I went for a visit where I watched a game, saw them play, got a tour of the facility. They’ve got a brand-new basketball facility that just opened last summer. It was great and it worked out.”

Wendinger also said that Eau Clair offered actuarial science as a major, a rare major that was important to Wendinger.

“It all kind of fell into place in the end.” Wendinger said. “It’s a great program, they’re having a great season with a new coaching staff, and I’m really excited to play there next year.”

The Blugolds will be getting a top-end shot blocker and rebounder, as Wendinger has averaged a double-double with at least three blocks a season in each of the past three years, blocking as many as six shots a game in the past two seasons. Wendinger said that his shot-blocking prowess comes from not just his size, but his awareness and timing on defense as well.

“Obviously my height plays a factor, which is always nice,” Wendinger said. “But I think part of it is the want to block shots and the timing of knowing when to play more aggressive or more passive. It’s really just the drive. That’s one of my favorite things to do besides dunking the ball is blocking a shot or getting a good stop on defense.”

While Wendinger doesn’t expect to get into games much in his first season, he wants to contribute to the team in any way he can.

“Most freshmen aren’t going to play,” he said. “There’s a statistic for it, but I don’t know it off the top of my head. But if I’m given the opportunity to, I’ll do my best to do everything. I’ll take the aspects of my game that I had during high school like the rebounding or the defensive side, but most importantly doing what ever the team needs to win the game. If that comes with being a good teammate on the bench supporting or actually playing on the court.”

While he waits for his opportunity, Wendinger is looking to improve on his shooting after playing around or above the rim for much of his high school career. In the long term, Wendinger is looking to help his team win games and getting into the starting lineup for the Blugolds.

“A long-term goal is to just win as many games as possible and then work myself into the lineup and helping out the team in any way,” he said. “Making more and more of an impact each game that comes up and leaving all out on the court.”