Prospect Spotlight: Zack Paulsen (2019 Curtis HS)
When it comes to the top competitors in the state, Zack Paulsen ranks right up there. The hard-working 6-foot-4, 180-pound wing from Curtis High School isn’t afraid of anyone on the basketball floor and playing on the UnderArmor circuit with Washington Supreme this spring has been exactly the experience he wanted.
“It’s been super fun and super intense,” Paulsen said. “I didn’t start out playing a lot before the live period, but after that second weekend I had a talk with my coach and he said that I’ve just got to go out and play. So I picked up my game. I got to the hoop and my shot started to fall. I started playing with confidence.”
A natural scorer, Paulsen can shoot it well from the perimeter as well as take things to the basket. But it’s his work on the defensive end that he takes a lot of pride in, and he’s been able to showcase that this spring. “There are so many good teams and so many good players,” Paulsen said. “I’ve been able to guard some of the best players and I’ve really enjoyed doing that.”
While he missed one tournament during the live period, college coaches liked what they saw out of Paulsen the second weekend and they’ve been in touch. Paulsen noted that he or his coach have talked to the likes of Idaho, Montana State, Eastern Washington, UC Santa Barbara, San Diego, Portland, and Portland State, and he’ll be attending elite camp at Eastern Washington.
“No offers yet, but they’ve all said that they want to see me play again,” Paulsen said. “I’m confident that I’ll play well (in July). I definitely want to pick up that first D-I offer.”
Paulsen noted that he’s open to signing in the fall if the right opportunity comes along. “I definitely want to go to a place where I’ll be able to contribute,” Paulsen said. “I also want to go to a place where I can win. I don’t like losing.”