On Thursday, the Winner High School boys basketball player committed to play basketball at Dakota Wesleyan University. Fritz, who also considered Northwestern College, cited his familiarity with DWU for picking the Tigers.

“When it came down to it, I felt like it was just the place that I felt most comfortable with and I have been familiar with DWU and I like the area, the school,” Fritz said. “It just felt like the right place for me.”

Fritz’s sister, Sydney, played college volleyball at Dakota Wesleyan. He said that didn’t weigh heavily in his decision, but it helped him get familiar with DWU and basketball coach Matt Wilber.

“He really likes the speed and athleticism I can bring,” said Fritz, who is leaning toward majoring in business administration. “Combined with the shooting ability, he just thought that I fit well into their play style.”

Fritz was an all-state basketball player last season, while the quarterback/defensive back helped the Warriors win the Class 11B state championship this past fall. He’s also an outstanding sprinter and long jumper in track and field.

Early in the recruiting process, he decided to pursue basketball and play his favorite sport in college.

“Basketball has always been my main thing,” Fritz said. “I am really looking forward to being able to just hone in and focus on one sport now.”

Once Fritz is committed 100 percent to basketball, that’s when Winner coach Brett Gardner said Fritz will shine.

“The sky’s the limit for him,” Gardner said. “He will be putting forth his maximum effort in the classroom and in the basketball facility. He’s got such a great stroke and I think once he gets to college, he will be shooting around every day and will have a ball in his hands every day and you will see his shooting percentage skyrocket.”

Gardner said the 6-foot-2 Fritz is explosive on both sides of the ball. Offensively, he uses his explosiveness attacking the basket and rising up for a 3-pointer. Defensively, he uses his quickness to generate steals and collect rebounds. He’s also scored 1,000 career points.

He’s also found his offensive rhythm late in the season. He’s averaging 25 points and four rebounds per game, while he’s hit 51 3-pointers. He poured in a career-high 41 points and hit 6 3-pointers against Bennett County on Jan. 26. He followed that up with 35 points and 7 3-pointers against Mount Vernon/Plankinton on Jan. 29.

“It just seems like as the year goes on — whatever sport he is in — he gets better and better,” Gardner said. “Right now, he’s really finding his groove and he has been for the last couple games of knocking in shots and really getting into a rhythm.”

The Warriors (14-1) play at White River on Feb. 9.