June Newsletter

Development. Competition. Growth. As we move into July, FSA continues to build momentum across all levels of the program. The summer months are often where the most meaningful growth occurs, and our athletes have embraced the opportunity to compete, develop, and represent the Team FSA at a high level both within Minnesota and throughout the Midwest. While wins, rankings, and tournament finishes often receive the most attention, our focus remains on something much bigger: creating an environment where athletes can continue to improve, gain confidence, and prepare themselves for future opportunities both on and off the court. This month has provided several exciting milestones for our program, and we are proud of the progress our teams & athletes have made as we head into an important stretch of the summer season. TEAM FSA 16U TC ENTERS JULY RANKED #25 In RL Hoops Events.

One of the highlights of the June comes from our 16U boys team, which enters at no.25 in the latest RL Hoops 16U rankings. While rankings are never the ultimate measure of success, they do provide recognition for the hard work & commitment that players and coaches have invested throughout the season. The ranking reflects months of preparation, competitive performances, and a commitment to daily improvement. The recognition is well deserved, but the team's focus remains on what lies ahead. As July begins, Team FSA 16U will head into one of its most important stretches of the season as they travel to Omaha and Chicago for upcoming RL Hoops competition. These events will provide another opportunity for the group to test itself against quality competition and continue building on what has already been a successful summer. The goal remains simple: continue improving, continue competing, and continue representing Team FSA the right way. TEAM FSA 15U JR. CONTINUES TO COMPETE ACROSS ALL LEVELS

Success becomes even more meaningful when it travels. This summer, Team FSA 15U has demonstrated its ability to compete beyond Minnesota's borders, posting an impressive 6-2 record in games played outside of the state. AAU basketball presents a unique challenge. Each weekend introduces new opponents, different playing styles, unfamiliar environments, and opportunities to compete against some of the strongest programs throughout the Midwest. Our 15U group has embraced those opportunities. The ability to perform consistently while competing against quality competition speaks to the preparation and discipline shown by the players throughout the season. More importantly, it reinforces a standard we continue to emphasize throughout the program: development should prepare players to succeed regardless of where they compete. As the summer continues, the team looks forward to building upon that success and continuing to challenge itself against top-level competition. For Team FSA 15U Jr , the season’s final chapter is quickly approaching. The group will conclude its summer campaign in Oklahoma City for MAYB Nationals, where they will have another opportunity to compete against top teams from across the United States & Canada.

The event carries special significance for the program. In 2025, Team FSA 15U Jr finished first in pool play, establishing itself as a top team in the 14u division and gaining valuable experience against national competition. Now, the team returns looking to build on that success. Players have spent the past year developing their skills, gaining confidence, and learning from every opportunity to compete. Those experiences have helped prepare them for another chance to perform on a national stage. The goal is not simply to repeat past success, but to continue growing as players and teammates while representing Team FSA with class.

TEAM FSA 17U PUMA SET TO COMPETE IN OMAHA & CHICAGO Team FSA 17U Puma will also be entering one of the most important stretches of their summer schedule as they prepare to compete in both Omaha and Chicago. These upcoming events will provide a big opportunity for the group to compete against high-level competition, continue building chemistry, and measure themselves in competitive environments outside of Minnesota. As with every level of the program, the focus remains centered on development, discipline, and growth through competition. The 17U group is also looking to carry momentum into July, where they will have another opportunity to test themselves in a highly competitive setting. TEAM FSA 15U RITTER CONTINUES DEVELOPMENT STRIDE Team FSA 15U Ritter continues to show strong progress as the group develops throughout the summer. The team is coming off a dominant 60–25 victory at the Schools Out Classic a few weekends ago, a performance that highlighted both their defensive intensity and continued growth as a unit. Wins like this are a reflection of preparation, effort, and the willingness to compete together as a team. The team is also looking to carry that momentum into the upcoming Summer Jam, where they will once again be challenged against strong competition in a highly competitive environment. As the season continues, Team FSA Ritter remains focused on building consistency, improving execution, and continuing to develop players within the program structure.

TRAINING SPOTLIGHT: CHANGE OF PACE While team competition continues throughout the summer, player development remains a year-round priority at FSA. Throughout the month, our training emphasis for our athletes has been centered around one of the most important yet often overlooked offensive concepts in basketball: change of pace. Many players focus heavily on speed, but high-level players understand that the ability to control tempo is what creates advantages. Knowing when to accelerate, decelerate, hesitate, and attack allows athletes to create separation, manipulate defenders, and make more effective decisions with the basketball. During training sessions, athletes have been working on applying change of pace to a variety of game situations, including: • Attacking off the dribble • Creating advantages in ball screen actions • Transition opportunities • Finishing at the rim • Creating space for jump shots • Reading and reacting to defensive pressure Our goal is not simply to teach moves, but to help players understand when and why to use them within the flow of the game. As training continues throughout the summer, athletes will have additional opportunities to build upon these concepts through skill development sessions designed to connect training directly to game application. Player development does not stop when the season begins. In many ways, some of the most important growth happens during it. We encourage athletes looking to continue improving their individual skills to take advantage of the training opportunities available throughout the remainder of the summer. THE DEVELOPMENT EQUATION Within FSA, we often discuss the importance of understanding the complete development process. In today’s basketball landscape, there is often an emphasis on finding shortcuts. Players want quick improvement. Teams want immediate results. Families naturally want to see progress. However, meaningful development does not happen through one workout, one practice, or one tournament. Development functions much like an equation. No equation can be solved if a variable is missing. Games provide experience. Practices build confidence. Training develops skills.

Each component serves a unique purpose. Games allow athletes to apply what they have learned in competitive situations. They provide lessons that cannot be replicated elsewhere. Practices create confidence through repetition, teamwork, and preparation. They allow players to learn concepts, improve communication, and build habits that carry into competition. Training develops the technical skills necessary to perform. Ball handling, shooting, footwork, finishing, and decision-making all require dedicated attention and consistent repetition. When all three components work together, growth occurs. Remove one piece, and the process becomes incomplete. The athletes who experience the most long-term success are often those who commit themselves to every part of the equation.

LOOKING AHEAD As we continue through the summer, there is plenty to be excited about throughout the FSA program. From rankings for our teams and championship opportunities to national tournaments and continued player development, our athletes continue to demonstrate what is possible through consistency, effort, and commitment. At FSA, we remain focused on creating opportunities for athletes to learn, grow, and compete at a high level. We are grateful for the support of our players, families, coaches, and community members who help make that mission possible. The summer is far from over, and we look forward to what lies ahead. Thank you for being a part of FSA. The work continues.

#alwaysstackingdays —Fundamentally Sound Athletics