FORESTBURG — Myah Selland’s basketball journey has taken her to some of the nation’s biggest stages. On Tuesday, the Letcher native returned to where it all started — the Sanborn Central gym — for her jersey retirement ceremony.

Selland’s No. 44 Sanborn Central/Woonsocket jersey is the second to be retired by the team and will hang in the gym next to one of her best friends from high school — Tanna Kingsbury.

“Tanna passed away from Ewing Sarcoma Cancer in the fall of 2014,” said Rob Baruth, who was a co-coach, along with Tim McCain, during Selland’s high school career with the Blackhawks. “She was in Myah’s class at school and was one of her best friends.”

Selland, a 2017 graduate of Sanborn Central, earned numerous accolades throughout her high school career. She was the South Dakota Girls’ Basketball Player of the Year and South Dakota’s Miss Basketball in 2017.

Selland was also the Wendy’s High School Heisman state winner; the Class B Player of the Year of the South Dakota High School Coaches Association; and the Gatorade South Dakota Player of the Year. She won the Spirit of Su Award; was named the Mitchell Daily Republic Player of the Year three times, was named the South Dakota Sportswriter Associaton Female Athlete of the Year twice and was the 2017 Argus Leader Girls’ Basketball Player of the Year to go along with two First Five selections.
With Selland on the court, Sanborn Central/Woonsocket made five trips to the Class B State Girls’ Basketball Tournament, recording runner-up finishes in 2014 and 2017.

“She was not only a gifted athlete, but had an incredible work ethic and drive to be successful,” Baruth said. “That rubbed off on everyone on our team.”

Selland finished her high school career with 2,219 points, 964 rebounds and 532 assists, which are all Sanborn Central/Woonsocket records. She also had 368 steals and 211 blocks.

Following high school, Selland went on to play collegiately at South Dakota State University, where she had a storied career for the Jackrabbits.

While at SDSU, Selland surpassed the 2,000-point milestone, finishing with 2,167 points. She also had 887 rebounds, 452 assists and 188 steals.

Selland received honorable mention on the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association All-American team for the Jackrabbits and was a two-time Summit League Player of the Year. She was also a finalist for the Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year Award and named to the Cheryl Miller Award Top 10 Watch List.

Selland was named to the All-Summit League first team three times and received honorable mention one other year at SDSU.

During her collegiate tenure, Selland helped the Jackrabbits to a WNIT championship in 2022 and to the NCAA Tournament in 2019 and 2023.

In addition to her contributions on the court, Selland made an impact in the communities where she played.

Selland joined forces with her teammate at SDSU, Tori Nelson, to for “Her Turn”, which is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating scholarship opportunities for young girls in the Brookings community, who might not otherwise have access to them.

Thus far, “Her Turn” has awarded 51 scholarships that have enabled girls to attend SDSU sporting camps, which include basketball, volleyball, soccer and softball. The duo will be hosting a Day of Giving for “Her Turn” on Feb. 5, which is also National Girls and Women in Sports Day.

“Myah has had a lasting impact on not just our Blackhawk community, but everywhere she goes. She is such an incredible person and role model for girls,” Baruth said. “I wish everyone would have a chance to hangout with her for a day.

“I am so grateful to have gotten the opportunity to be one of her coaches along the way,” he said.

Following her collegiate career, Selland played two seasons professionally in Spain and Australia. She has since returned home and is currently in the process of working towards a master’s degree in leadership and management of non-profits.