Is ex-Curtis standout Zack Paulsen on track to becoming a big name in one-on-one basketball?

At a national tournament in New York City last weekend, Paulsen debuted by reaching quarterfinals in a 64-player bracket to receive exemptions into other big events

Former Curtis basketball standout Zack Paulsen was selected among thousands of applicants to play in a national one-on-one tournament last weekend, and reached the quarterfinals in New York City. His wife, Maddie, joined him as a spectator. (Zack Paulsen / Courtesy)

Zack Paulsen thought he had taken basketball as far as he could.

After successful playing careers at Curtis High School, then at Seattle Pacific University and Point Loma (California), Paulsen, 25, had looked into overseas professional opportunities.

Things never lined up. So, he returned to Tacoma with his wife, Maddie (Egan) — his high-school sweetheart — and took a job in medical-equipment sales while helping coach the varsity boys program at Bellarmine Prep.

Paulsen’s new life was well underway — until it took an unexpected detour in the most casual manner.