Ethan Oetzel

Ethan Oetzel (6'7") is a junior wing/post at Albuquerque High School (NM) and a straight A honors student. He has already played three years of varsity. His first year was at Hamilton Boys’ High School in Hamilton, New Zealand. He grew up in New Zealand and learned to speak the Indigenous Māori language and play the international basketball game which includes a longer three-point line and 24-second shot clock. He was a role player his first year playing about 12 minutes a game, mostly as a 3 and D player. He shot 37% from three that year.

In 2023, Ethan moved to Albuquerque New Mexico for his sophomore year and played his second year of varsity at Albuquerque High School (NM He was born in Albuquerque but hadn’t lived there in 12 years so it was a transition to different schools and a different type of game--no shot clock and a shorter 3). Through hard work he earned minutes throughout the year and by the end was the 1st or 2ndplayer off the bench. His role was primarily as a connector, and he hit the occasional 3 along with strong interior D. He shot 37% from three again his sophomore year playing about 11 minutes per game (18 minutes in the final three games of the year during the state tournament). 

After his junior year, he was named 1st team all-district in District 5 and 1stteam all-state for the largest school division. His team won the regular season district and made the quarterfinals of the state tournament. They finished ranked 6th and 22-7. His stats per game were 13.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2 assists, 1.6 steals, and 2.4 blocks. His EFG was 53%. During the last half of the season, his averages were 15.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.5 steals, and 2 blocks on 56% EFG.