The more things change, the more they stay the same for Connor Gunderson, who graduated from Austin High School in 2010.

Gunderson spent last year playing basketball for St. Olaf and he immediately found his way into the starting lineup and became one his team’s more valuable scorers. He led the team by hitting 61.9 percent of his shots and he averaged 8.1 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1 assist.

That performance put Gunderson on the All-MIAC freshman team — which included just five players — and he’s got his sights set even higher for next season.

“I have to continue to work and get better. Strength is number one and defensively is number two. It’s kind of the same as high school,” said Gunderson, who scored 1,055 points in his Packer career. “I’m also working on creating my own shot where I can go off the dribble a little more instead of just catching and shooting.”

St. Olaf went 17-9 overall last season and Gunderson could see the team, which graduates just one starter, contend for a conference title and a Division III NCAA tournament berth.

Last year, St. Olaf handed eventual national champion St. Thomas its last loss of the year in the regular season.

“That’s our claim to fame and we’ve got high hopes for next year,” Gunderson said.

Gunderson, who started 23 of the 26 games on the season, wasn’t sure how much he’d play in his first season. But he played well in fall workouts and practice to earn immediate paying time.

He had a big debut with 19 points in his first college game.

Despite his early success, Gunderson learned plenty of lessons throughout the season.

“Besides the length of the court, the biggest change is the speed and how well everyone can shoot,” said Gunderson, who hit 41 percent of his threes last season. “In high school, you didn’t have to guard the perimeter because you knew who the other team’s shooters were. In college, everyone can shoot the three and you have to get up on your man.”

Gunderson has also embraced the academic atmosphere at St. Olaf, which is located in Northfield. It only adds to the experience that he gets to play a college sport.

“As long as you’re playing some sport in college, it’s a lot of fun. A lot my friends who aren’t playing miss it a lot,” Gunderson said. “Even at a small school, you get a great atmosphere. It doesn’t relate to Ove Berven or Packer Gym, but it’s pretty good.”

Speaking of Packer Gym, Gunderson has not lost his focus on his hometown. He followed the Packers last season and even has told some Austin players to come to St. Olaf.

“I’ve tried telling the Aase’s (Joe and Tom) to come to St. Olaf,” he said. “Those guys are going to be good. They work hard and they love playing basketball.”

Gunderson has spent part of the summer playing with his teammates in a league at Bloomington Jefferson High School.