Q&A – Getting to Know: Ethan Youso (2018)
Ethan Youso is a 6’8” senior, three-sport standout for the Virginia Blue Devils. Last spring, he was a member of the Virginia tennis team that placed 2nd at the State Tournament. Currently, he is playing tight end and defensive end for the Blue Devil football team. They are 5-3 on the season and will face Greenway-Nashwauk-Keewatin on Tuesday in the first round of the playoffs.
Where he truly excels, however, is on the basketball court. Last season, he averaged 19.19 PPG, 10.46 rebounds, 3.12 blocks, and 2.4 assists for the Blue Devils. We had a chance to catch up with the University of Minnesota-Duluth commit recently:
Northstar Hoops Report (NHR): First off, congratulations on committing to UMD to play hoops! What was it about UMD that pushed you to decide to go there? Do you know what you plan on studying?
Ethan Youso (EY): “A large part of committing to UMD was to be close to family. I have grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins who all live in Northern Minnesota. Another reason for choosing UMD was the way they made me feel during the recruiting process. I was one of only two guys they offered. I felt like they knew I would be a good fit for their team. I have attended their camps and I really like Coach Bowen and his staff. From an academic perspective, I saw that UMD has great STEM programs, and I will most likely study something in that field.”
NHR: You played with the MN Comets this past summer, what aspects of your game make you the successful player that you are? Going against tough competition on the grassroots circuit, what aspects of your game do you think that you still need to work on going into your senior season and then into college ball?
EY: “I like to work on all aspects of my game so that I can take advantage of what the defense gives me. If the defender is smaller and quicker, I’ll go in the post, but if he’s bigger and slower, I’ll go outside. Going into next season, I have to work on every aspect of my game. Most importantly my strength, conditioning, and quickness. I feel that improving in those areas will give me the best chance of being successful at the next level.”
NHR: Who is the toughest player you’ve faced in MN? How about on the grassroots circuit? What makes them the toughest?
EY: “The toughest player I’ve played in Minnesota is Jordan Wetterlind from Proctor. He was just too fast and athletic for me to guard three years ago. In AAU, it was Calvin Wishart (Orono–2018) from D1 Minnesota. I never had to guard him, but he was very good at controlling the game and finishing tough shots.”
NHR: What is your favorite high school gym to play in? Were there any other cool places you’ve played during the grassroots season?
EY: “My favorite high school gym to play in is at home in front of our fans. My favorite away gym is International Falls. I have a lot of family there, so I get a nice fan section. In AAU, I played in the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, which is an NBA D-League Arena.”
NHR: Last season, your team lost in the Section 7AA semifinals to Crosby-Ironton. What did you take away from that game? Did it help to fuel the fire for your work this summer and the coming season?
EY: “During that game, our team had too many turnovers and lacked mental toughness, so those are things we need to improve on. The loss helped motivate us for sure. We are a very good team that has not been to state yet, and this is our last chance.”
NHR: What are your expectations for this season? What needs to happen for Virginia to make a run to the state tournament?
EY: “This season, our team wants to win the conference and the section. To do that, we need our younger players to fit into the system and play together, and we need our veterans to produce consistently. Leadership will play a large role.”
NHR: Is there an NBA player, college player, other player that you try to model your game after? What aspects of their game do you like?
EY: “I’ve always tried to play like Kevin Durant on the wing and Hakeem Olajuwon in the post. I like Kevin Durant’s ability to create space for a shot, and I try to replicate Olajuwon’s moves in the post.”
NHR: Your HS career obviously isn’t finished yet, but to this point, what has been your favorite memory of playing HS basketball?
EY: “So far, my favorite memory is when we won the IRC Conference by beating Hibbing last year. Our team wanted to win so badly, and we went out and made it happen. The celebration afterward was pretty fun, too.”
Thanks, Ethan, for taking the time to let NHR catch up with you! With a senior tandem of Youso and 6’8” center Bryce Kennedy (University of South Dakota football commit), look for the Virginia Blue Devils to make a deep run into March this season.