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UND's Eli King expands offensive role while retaining top-end defense

February 05, 2026 5 min read views
UND's Eli King expands offensive role while retaining top-end defense
Story byGrand Forks HeraldUND's Eli King expands offensive role while retaining top-end defenseAlex Faber, Grand Forks HeraldThu, February 5, 2026 at 1:32 AM UTC·4 min read

Feb. 4—GRAND FORKS — Eli King put in a layup that ended a 28-game home winning streak on Jan. 29.

The senior guard scooped up a steal from redshirt freshman guard Greyson Uelmen and went straight to the basket with 6.9 seconds remaining, sealing UND's 81-80 win over St. Thomas.

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"(There was) a lot of excitement," King said. "Just the way we kind of kept battling throughout the game, fighting back and then winning it right at the end, all the guys (and coaching staff) were super excited. It was a sweet environment to play in and a big win for us."

It was the second game-winning basket King has nailed this season. His 3-pointer with five seconds left handed the Fighting Hawks a 90-88 win over Winthrop on Dec. 12.

King isn't just scoring in clutch time. He's averaging 12.1 points per game, second only to Uelmen's 14.2 and up from his average of 8.3 last year.

The Hawks' lone returning starter from the 2024-25 season has taken on a larger offensive role, filling in for the talented teammates who graduated or entered the transfer portal.

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King had 109 field-goal attempts last season. He already has 252 attempts this year. His field-goal percentage has also ticked up alongside the increased shooting volume, up from 40.2% to 43.3%

King's 3-point percentage stands out as one of the few offensive categories that has seen a dip this season, dropping from 37.5% to 29.7%.

"Definitely consistently night-in, night-out, I have a little bit bigger scoring role, and kind of have to do that to help us win," King said. "Then also, I've gotten better in certain areas. Haven't probably shot it great from three to this point, a little worse than last year. But everything else, I feel I'm playing at a higher level."

King also boasts a solid assist-to-turnover ratio of 2.55.

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"Offensively, he's going to have the ball in his hands a little bit more," head coach Paul Sather said. "He's attacking, he's just been doing a really nice job on the offensive side. ... Not only is he scoring more, but he's taking care of the ball, and he's making plays for others. So he's really doing a nice job on both sides of the floor."

Increased offensive production has done nothing to stem King's excellent defense.

King, who made the Summit League All-Defensive team last year, has continued to provide elite defensive production and communication for UND.

"We talk a lot about FIO — figure it out," Sather said. "Sometimes when you've got younger players out there, and it's not going your way, or it is going your way, or somebody's found a little seam that they're taking advantage of, Eli's a guy that figures it out pretty quick.

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"He's a guy that can communicate in a way that I think is really respectful, and guys respect him and how he communicates. So he's just a pretty calm, level-headed guy on the floor solving problems and trying to make the next play. He's a very good possession-by-possession player, doesn't get lost in the last possession very much."

King has also benefited from the Hawks'

new defensive system

, which puts an emphasis on forcing turnovers.

It fits his defensive style exceptionally well.

King tallied seven steals against Oral Roberts on Jan. 22, the most by a UND player in the Division I era. King has 62 steals on the season, best in the conference and sixth nationally.

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King averaged 1.2 steals per game last year. This season, he's averaging 2.5.

"The system fits him," Sather said. "When he's not on the ball, he's a guy that can really read and make plays and get steals, but he's also a guy that can solve problems. ... I think the system defensively has brought out another side of what his instincts are on that side of the floor."

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