Grassroots Preview: 17U Fury Zurn
The high school season didn’t end that long ago, but basketball takes no breaks. The grassroots season is upon us with most teams kicking off their seasons in mid-April. Minnesota Fury is consistently one of the top grassroots programs in…
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Continue ReadingThe high school season didn’t end that long ago, but basketball takes no breaks. The grassroots season is upon us with most teams kicking off their seasons in mid-April.
Minnesota Fury is consistently one of the top grassroots programs in the state, churning out college-level athletes at the Division I, II and III level.
Fury Zurn is by classification, the top 17U Fury club. Here’s a quick look:
Guards: Nate Heise, Zach Lea, Ryan Samuelson, Luke Gitzen, John Henry
Heise and Samuelson are additions to the Fury program after playing with Wear Out the Net last year and will give this team some needed perimeter juice. Heise’s been hauling in Division II offers since the end of the basketball season and should only continue to earn more interest as he continues to showcase a strong all around game.
The thing that stands out with this whole Fury team is its overall size and it rings true up and down the lineup as even the guards are really big. Samuelson is a solidly built 6-foot-3/6-foot-4 and brings a lot to the table as a defender, distributor and scorer.
Lea was a super utility guy for Chaska last year and should continue excelling in that kind of role for this team. He’s terrific defensively and has a great feel on the court.
Gitzen averaged better than 12 points per game for a solid Chanhassen team last year and at 6-foot-4, he can disrupt his oppositions’ offensive flow while providing very nice complementary offense.
Henry is one of the best all-around players in the 2020 class. He’s a very good outside shooter and steady playmaker with a great feel for the game on the offensive end. He’s capable of guarding smaller guys by using his length and positioning but also can compete with bigger guys because of his strength and toughness.
Forwards: Jacob Hutson, Brady Williams, Charlie Katona, Cameron Steele
This figures to be one of the best frontcourts in the state this summer as all four of these guys bring a lot to the table.
Hutson is very sound offensively on the block and finishes everything around the rim. At 6-foot-10, he’s got the mobility to play in space but the length to defend effectively in the paint.
Steele is one of the best offensive bigs in the state and can score inside and out. He’s really skilled and produces efficiently and consistently.
Williams is one of the most explosive players in Southern Minnesota and excels in transition and off the ball with this team. He’s been effective with Fury as a rebounder and energy guy but also has the skill to produce points in the halfcourt.
Katona, like Henry, is an X-factor for this team because of his size and skillset. He’s comfortable handling the ball and making plays for his teammates but he can also knock down perimeter shots or get to the glass.