Iowa High School Prospect, Son Of Ex-NBA Player, Makes College Decision

An Iowa high school boys basketball prospect has made his college decision official.

Cael LaFrentz, a senior at Decorah High School, announced on social media that he will continue his basketball and academic career at the University of North Carolina Greensboro in the fall.

“Committed,” LaFrentz posted Thursday morning on X (formerly known as Twitter).

Committed!💛💙@UNCGBasketball pic.twitter.com/yVsPROesgC
— Cael LaFrentz (@CaelLaFrentz32) May 7, 2026

The 6-foot-10 LaFrentz is the son of former University of Kansas standout and NBA player Raef LaFrentz, who was named to the USA Today All-USA first team and was a McDonald’s All-American while competing for MFL MarMac High School. He was named Iowa Mr. Basketball in 1994, committing to the Jayhawks.

The elder LaFrentz was a two-time consensus first team All-American and twice named the Big 12 Conference Player of the Year, having his jersey retired by the school. The Denver Nuggets selected him with the No. 3 overall pick in the 1998 NBA Draft, as he played for the Nuggets, Dallas Mavericks, Boston Celtics and Portland Trail Blazers until 2009.

Cael LaFrentz Will Play For A Former Teammate Of His Father

In an exclusive interview with High School on SI, LaFrentz pointed to one main reason for his decision to commit to UNC Greensboro.

“I chose UNC Greensboro because of the coaching staff,” he said. “My parents and I have a really good relationship with the head coach and all the other coaches, and I love the family atmosphere they have there. I am excited to get to campus and I can’t wait to get to work.”

The Spartans are led by Jerod Haase, who played alongside Raef LaFrentz at Kansas. He was hired in March by UNC Greensboro, and has spent time coaching at Kansas, North Carolina, UAB and Stanford, serving as the head coach at both UAB and Stanford.

Decorah Standout Has Averaged A Double-Double Each Of Past Three Seasons

But the younger LaFrentz has carved out his own name and own success over the years while leading Decorah. This past winter, LaFrentz averaged 28 points per game on 55 percent shooting from the field while also grabbing over 15 rebounds a night as the Vikings went 15-7. His dad serves as an assistant coach on the staff under head coach Jon Carlson.

A three-year starter for Decorah, LaFrentz posted just under 20 points and 10.6 rebounds per game as a sophomore, shooting 67 percent from the field with 2.6 blocks. During his junior season, he improved his scoring to 29.2 points a night on 65 percent shooting from the floor while adding nearly 13 rebounds and four blocked shots.

Cael LaFrentz Named High School On SI Iowa All-Stater

LaFrentz was named to the High School on SI Iowa all-state basketball team this past year. The Vikings won 60 games with him in uniform, including an appearance in the Iowa High School Athletic Association Boys State Basketball Tournament Class 3A quarterfinals.

“These past few years in Decorah have meant a lot to me,” LaFrentz said. “They shaped me as a player and a person, and I am grateful for the years I spent here and everyone I met and got to know along the way.”

UNC Greensboro is coming off a 15-win season, as the Spartans have made the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament four times. The Spartans are members of the SoCon Conference.

“I considered a few other schools,” LaFrentz said. “But it my heart, I felt and knew UNC Greensboro was the right place for me.”

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