But the wiry 6-1 guard burst into stardom in 2023-24. He broke the Kingsford single season scoring record by ringing up 575 points this season and entered the Kingsford High School 1,000-point career scoring club during his 39-point explosion in his team’s 81-77 loss to Flint Powers Catholic in a state quarterfinal game on March 12.

For the season, Grondin averaged 22.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.3 steals per game. He was selected to the Great Northern Conference first team and was named the league’s defensive player of the year.

And Grondin figures to be a lock for the all-U.P. Dream Team and should be in the conversation for the Division 1-3 Player of the Year, as well.

As he transitions into AAU basketball and playing on the Flivver baseball team now, Grondin, the 17-year-old son of Ryan and Susan Grondin, offered his reflections on the basketball season just passed.

Sean Chase/Daily News photo Kingsford junior Gavin Grondin (20) looks to pass as North Dickinson’s Brady Jungwirth (15) tries to disrupt his vision on Nov. 30 in the Carl L. Lemin Gym in Felch.

Q: What are some of your initial thoughts on the 2023-24 basketball season?

A: Well, we knew coming into the season that we had a chance to make a run and have a good year. We worked really hard in practice before the season started and we have a bond. A lot of us are juniors and sophomores, along with a few seniors and we’ve made a bond in other sports. And then playing basketball with each other all the way since third or fourth grade.

Q: When you say “make a run” what did that mean to you specifically?

A: We went to the regional (final) last year and we knew that if we worked hard enough, we could get there and win that game and we did, so that was awesome.

Q: In your opinion, which team was the toughest to play against, not counting Iron Mountain (don’t want to get you in trouble here)?

A: I think Flint was. Overall, their size. And they’re young so they’re returning a lot of guys, so if we can make it that far next year, we probably will be seeing them again.

Q: In which game did your team play its best?

A: We played really, really well against Escanaba, the second time when we played them at their place (a 72-42 win). We ran the floor really well. We played good against the Soo, too, after a slow start (a 65-29 win over Sault Ste. Marie in the regional semifinals).

Q: Which was your best game personally?

A: The last one against Flint. I really wanted to win that game. Ever since I was a little kid, I wanted to play in the Breslin (Center, the site of the state semifinals and finals). I think that had a little reason to do with it.

Q: Which was the most enjoyable game for you and your teammates?

A: There were a lot of them, but probably the regional championship (a 37-34 win over Ludington). Winning the regional has only been done one other time in Kingsford history.

Q: Who was the funniest person on the team?

A: I’ve got to say Connor (Quick) is probably one of them.

Q: Why? Is he jokey?

A: Yeah, he’s jokey. And when we’re watching film or in the huddle, he’s just messing around, You look at him, he’s always smiling right back. And Cardel (Morton), too.

Q: Who was the quietest guy?

A: We don’t really have any quiet kids.

Q: Who has the biggest appetite?

A: Cardel. We stopped at Hardees after a game and he had a big old chicken basket, and then everybody that didn’t eat their food gave it to him and I’m pretty sure he took it all down.

Q: So what is Coach Olkkonen really like?

A: Ah, I love him. I’ve been around him as long as I can remember.Q: Is he tough on you guys?

A: If he needs to, he will. He’s always on you, you know, you’ve got to work hard by him. But you’ve got to have a coach that’s on you a little bit, for sure.

Q: Who was the toughest player for you to defend?

A: I didn’t really guard Oskar (Kangas of Iron Mountain) that much but he’s probably one of them. That kid from Ludington, their short guard (David Shillinger). He is the leading scorer ever in their whole area and he was probably one of the fastest kids I’ve ever had to guard through travel ball and everything.

Q: If you were to self-scout, how would you analyze your game?

A: I think one of my strengths is attacking the basket. And shooting, as well. And I think facilitating. During travel ball in AAU, my role kind of changes a little bit. I try to get other people the ball, attacking and drawing help and kicking out. I’m more of a point guard.

Q: And you were named the GNC defensive player of the year, too.

A: That’s another thing I take pride in is my defense. Because I know if I want to play at the next level, you’ve got to play defense.

Q: What does it take to be a good defender?

A: I mean, you’ve got to be a dog. When you’re tired, you’ve got to work through it. When you don’t feel like playing a good defensive possession, you have to.

Q: Who do you play AAU for?

A: I play for the Wisconsin Blizzard. My coach is Ryan Borowicz (former UWGB player). He owns his own facility called The Driveway and he put together the team. There are kids from West DePere, Kimberly, Green Bay Notre Dame ….

Q: Why do you play there?

A: To get more exposure for college basketball. And it’s all good competition. Pretty much every game you play, it’s next level athletes.

Q: What is your recruiting situation like at this point?

A: I’ve got an offer from Lake Superior State right now. Got a few other colleges talking to me, just kind of reaching out. This AAU season, if I’m going to get more, it will probably be then.

Q: So, Lake Superior State got on you pretty quick then.

Q: Yeah. My sophomore year, when we were playing in the Soo against Boyne City, they saw me there and they invited me to their camp, and I played pretty good there. And they offered me after the camp.

Q: What are your future basketball goals?

A: The goal is obviously to play college basketball, Division 2 or Division 1. You know, I’m not really gifted with the height as much for D1, though.

Q: What are you interested in studying in college?

A: I was thinking about construction management. Or if not that, then something in the outdoors, like with the DNR.

Q: What do you do in the summer?

A: I fish a lot. I love it. If I’m not playing basketball or resting, I’m probably fishing.

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