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Beyond Bounds: 9 Things You Need To Know About Dan Kornbaum

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Junior Dan Kornbaum, a UMD transfer, has Augsburg sitting pretty in second place in the MIAC. He's also one of the league's top scorers (18.8 ppg) and rebounders (7.9 rpg). (credit: Kelly Anderson Diercks, Augsburg College)

At your family reunion, Dan Kornbaum's basketball resume would be marquee material.

But in his own family tree, Augsburg's rising star is third on the clan's totem pole.

That'll happen when your cousin is Robbie Hummel, Purdue's standout drafted by the Timberwolves.

"It's been amazing seeing him grow up," said Kornbaum, a junior. "We've seen him once a summer ever since first grade at the family reunion at his cabin."

And when your grandfather is Ron Johnson, a former NBA-er who resides in the University of Minnesota Hall of Fame.

"I thought it was normal," Kornbaum explained, "to have a grandpa that at a fast-food restaurant, people would come up to him and say, 'Are you Ron Johnson?'"

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Dan Kornbaum (credit: Augsburg)

His relatives' hard-court success aside, Kornbaum's making a name for himself at Augsburg and within the MIAC after transferring from UMD last year (his sophomore year).

The Little Falls, Minn., native's 18.8 ppg have him third in the league, and his 7.9 rebounds per outing are second-best. The 6-foot-9-inch center has lifted the Auggies to a 15-3 overall mark, 10-3 in the conference – second only to St. Thomas (17-1, 12-1 MIAC).

Here are nine things you need to know about the man that Augsburg coach Aaron Griess cannot stop raving about.

1 - A coaching change made him an Auggie
I wanted the challenging of Division II (at UMD). But the coach quit, and we had a new one coming in, and it just felt right to leave. I visited Augsburg and the relationship with coach Griess made it an easy choice.

2 - Smash Bros. creates team chemistry
I love this team. I know them better off the court, and we spend a lot of time hanging out, playing video games -- Super Smash Bros. on N64.

3 - He's an engineering major with a 3.7 GPA.
My dad is a Senior Power Engineer at Minnesota Power and that's where it got me started. I love math, love the science. I'll likely finish with both physics and math minors.

4 - Netflix and Xbox are welcomed distractions
I love watching "Supernatural" on Netflix. It's a different kind of show. And I love "Call of Duty: Black Ops."

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Kornbaum hopes to lead his 14-3 Auggies into the NCAA tournament. (credit: Kelly Anderson Diercks, Augsburg College)

5 - His trips to Costa Rica aren't vacations
I did a couple mission trips with my church (Living Hope Assembly of God in Little Falls, Minn.) in Costa Rica these past two summers. We partner with a church down there and help it grow.

6 - Gophers games with Grandpa Ron Johnson were an annual highlight
He'd also help me out with my game -- taught me the hook shot a bit.

7 - Kornbaum is automatic from the floor, shooting 62.3 percent to lead the MIAC
If I'm scoring or not scoring, as long as we're winning, it feels great.

8 - He's a rural man who also loves the city
In the big city I have everything I want 10 minutes away, but with the rural life I have so much space, and it's so quiet.

9 - Favorite…
Food: Mom's lasagna
TV Show: "The Office"
Movie: "The Other Guys"
Artist: Eminem

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