Oct. 20—JAMESTOWN, N.D. — Growing up, Elliot Myszkowski spent countless hours on the basketball court with his older brother Danny and their dad Pete, who was one of their first coaches.
Their close friend, Reggie Parker, would often tag along.
Danny is now a freshman at the University of Minnesota studying business, while Parker is in his first year on the Division II University of Jamestown men's basketball team in Jamestown, N.D.
Last season as a high school junior, Elliot Myszkowski, an all-conference point guard for Mayo, averaged 17 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists per game. It was a season to remember for the Spartans, who won the Big Nine Conference title for the first time since 2000 and their first playoff game since 2020.
Next fall, Elliot will reunite with Parker — a 6-foot-7 forward — after announcing his verbal commitment to play for the Jimmies on social media on Oct. 3.
"Getting to know Coach Bruggeman more, I feel like I (built) a good relationship with him on the visit, and I like the campus, and obviously they're in the NSIC, so any opportunity at a D-2 is very big," Elliot said. "I think you want to go to the highest (level) you can, so you have no regrets in the future. So I think that was one of the deciding factors is seeing if I can play at this level."
The campus, facilities and the prospect of joining his old friend were also factors in Elliot's decision.
"He's having a good time up there, and I think it'd be fun," said Elliot, who is also a track and field athlete for the Spartans.
Pete Myszkowski oversees the Minnesota Takeoff AAU basketball organization and coached his sons and Parker on youth teams.
Outside the gym, the boys grew closer too, having sleepovers and playing video games together.
"Over the years, he's just been right there the whole time," Elliot said of Parker. "We would take him up to games ever since we were in third grade, and we've had a special bond over the last few years. And it was this last year when he came back after his (knee) injury, that was really kind of a sentimental moment, and it was fun playing with him and my brother over the years."
Elliot said his favorite high school basketball memory with his brother and Parker was beating John Marshall 76-69 during the regular season as a sophomore in his first year on varsity.
The Rockets went on to win the Section 1, Class 4A tournament and advanced to the state tournament.
"(JM was) touted as probably the best team in the section and they obviously went to state that year, so that was a really fun game with all the guys and Reggie as well," Elliot said.
During the pandemic, Parker said he wasn't interested in basketball. Thanks to a push from his mom, Parker found the motivation to get in the gym. Eventually, he developed into a star for the Spartans and a college basketball player.
"He taught me to show up," Elliot said. "He had to really turn things around and grew into the person and player he is now. ... He's in a really good position now."
Elliot said the bond he formed with Parker when they were young kids and the chemistry they developed playing for the Spartans will translate at the D-2 level. Being six hours away from home, he added, it will help to see a familiar face around campus.
"I think we'll push each other to be better every day, and I'm sure he's going to improve a lot in his first year," Elliot said. "His second year, he'll be a lot better player than he was in high school. So, I think it'll be a good transition, and it'll be good for both of us."
With boys high school basketball practices set to begin Nov. 23, Elliot said the turnout for open gyms this fall at Mayo High School has been promising, with over 40 players in grades 9-12 showing up some mornings.
"In the last couple of years, I don't remember us having 40 guys almost at any open gym, so it's good to see that guys want to get up early to play basketball," he said.
Elliot hopes to study sports psychology at Jamestown and make the most of his college basketball career, but first he has one year remaining with the Spartans.
"(I want) to have no regrets," Elliot said. "I think I've prepared mentally and physically for this season, and I think we have a great group of seniors and a great group of juniors. People probably don't think we're going to be as good as we are, as we lost a lot of seniors. I think it's a motivating factor for sure.
"And especially knowing how last season ended (in the Section 1-4A semifinals to Farmington), there are a lot of motivating factors going into this year, and I'm super excited. I want to get out there and hopefully make one more run in March."