Adam Zagoria covers basketball at all levels. He is the author of two books and an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Sports Illustrated, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide.
Zimmerman Focusing on 8, Planning Officials in the Fall
By MIKE GRIMALASpecial to ZAGSBLOGLAS VEGAS — Stephen Zimmerman is in the midst of the busiest summer of his life, and it doesn’t look like things will be slowing down anytime soon for the 7-foot center with the sweet left-handed stroke.
A consensus top-10 player in the Class of 2015, Zimmerman has been everywhere in recent months. He spent the summer playing on the EYBL circuit with the Oakland Soldiers, and much of his June was devoted to representing his country and helping the USA Basketball U18 team win gold at the FIBA World Championships. Next week, he’ll be heading to Georgia to play in the Nike Peach Jam tournament from July 16-20.
And on Wednesday, Zimmerman was showing out on the first day of the LeBron James Skills Academy, using his mobility and passing ability to make an impact at both ends of the floor.
Don’t expect Zimmerman to slow down once the summer ends, however. While things may cool down on the court, that’s when his recruitment will really begin to heat up.
“I don’t know when or where, but my parents said sometime around September to October I’ll take official visits,” Zimmerman said. “I’m not sure where yet, but we’re getting there. I think once I take a couple visits, I’ll be able to maybe even [narrow] my list down a little bit farther.”
Zimmerman has taken unofficial visits to UCLA, UNLV and Arizona, schools close to his hometown of Las Vegas. He’s saving his official visits for destinations that require more travel.
It has been reported that he will visit Kentucky for Big Blue Madness in October.
“You have to pay for unofficials, so it’s kind of harder,” he said. “So I’ll probably take official visits to ones that are on the other side [of the country] like Louisville, schools like that.”
Zimmerman listed Kansas, UNLV, North Carolina, Indiana, Louisville, Kentucky, UCLA and Arizona as his final eight back in April. He still doesn’t have a timetable for announcing a college decision, and said he doesn’t feel bound to commit or sign by a particular deadline.
“Just whenever I feel comfortable,” Zimmerman said. “If I feel really comfortable with a school tomorrow, I’ll commit.”
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Adam Zagoria is a Basketball Insider who covers basketball at all levels. A contributor to The New York Times and SportsNet New York (SNY), he is also the author of two books and is an award-winning journalist and filmmaker. His articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide. He also won an Emmy award for his work on the SNY mini-documentary on Syracuse guard Tyus Battle.
A veteran Ultimate Frisbee player, he has competed in numerous National and World Championships and, perhaps more importantly, his teams won the Westchester Summer League (WSL) championships in 2011 and 2013.
He lives in Manhattan with his wife and children.
By MIKE GRIMALA
Special to ZAGSBLOG
LAS VEGAS — Stephen Zimmerman is in the midst of the busiest summer of his life, and it doesn’t look like things will be slowing down anytime soon for the 7-foot center with the sweet left-handed stroke.
A consensus top-10 player in the Class of 2015, Zimmerman has been everywhere in recent months. He spent the summer playing on the EYBL circuit with the Oakland Soldiers, and much of his June was devoted to representing his country and helping the USA Basketball U18 team win gold at the FIBA World Championships. Next week, he’ll be heading to Georgia to play in the Nike Peach Jam tournament from July 16-20.
And on Wednesday, Zimmerman was showing out on the first day of the LeBron James Skills Academy, using his mobility and passing ability to make an impact at both ends of the floor.
Don’t expect Zimmerman to slow down once the summer ends, however. While things may cool down on the court, that’s when his recruitment will really begin to heat up.
“I don’t know when or where, but my parents said sometime around September to October I’ll take official visits,” Zimmerman said. “I’m not sure where yet, but we’re getting there. I think once I take a couple visits, I’ll be able to maybe even [narrow] my list down a little bit farther.”
Zimmerman has taken unofficial visits to UCLA, UNLV and Arizona, schools close to his hometown of Las Vegas. He’s saving his official visits for destinations that require more travel.
It has been reported that he will visit Kentucky for Big Blue Madness in October.
“You have to pay for unofficials, so it’s kind of harder,” he said. “So I’ll probably take official visits to ones that are on the other side [of the country] like Louisville, schools like that.”
Zimmerman listed Kansas, UNLV, North Carolina, Indiana, Louisville, Kentucky, UCLA and Arizona as his final eight back in April. He still doesn’t have a timetable for announcing a college decision, and said he doesn’t feel bound to commit or sign by a particular deadline.
“Just whenever I feel comfortable,” Zimmerman said. “If I feel really comfortable with a school tomorrow, I’ll commit.”
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